Strongest Glue?

[bc6]

Im looking for the strongest glue to attach PVC to Styrene currently Im using Plastruct or Tenex solvents, are those the strongest for my particular application. One last question I hate working with 2 oz bottles of that stuff where can I get larger quantities of Tenex solvent.

[LV LOU]

For PVC,I'd use glue for PVC pipe.See no reason it wouldn't work just as well on Styrene,it's sold in fairly large cans.If how it looks is no issue,they also sell a primer that's purple that makes the joint even stronger..

[bc6]

For PVC,I'd use glue for PVC pipe.See no reason it wouldn't work just as well on Styrene,it's sold in fairly large cans.If how it looks is no issue,they also sell a primer that's purple that makes the joint even stronger..

Thanks Lou I forgot that they make pvc glue.

[TiVoPrince]

PVC  
glues tend to be a very thick and sloppy in application.  This is as much a function of the hidden nature of the joints and pervasive need of function over form.  Pretty and clean is no better than ugly as sin, but still works properly.  Nobody cares much that there is a purple stain and lumpy glue blobs on underground sprinkler joints or hidden under your sink.  You might actually care about such things on a scale model...

[LV LOU]

PVC  
glues tend to be a very thick and sloppy in application.  This is as much a function of the hidden nature of the joints and pervasive need of function over form.  Pretty and clean is no better than ugly as sin, but still works properly.  Nobody cares much that there is a purple stain and lumpy glue blobs on underground sprinkler joints or hidden under your sink.  You might actually care about such things on a scale model...

Well,yeah,if you use that golfball applicator they put in the cans,LOL!! If you use a model paintbrush,no such problem.I think it can be thinned with Acetone,also..I know pretty much no glue BUT PVC pipe glue works on PVC pipe..

[GonzoCRFan]

Im looking for the strongest glue to attach PVC to Styrene currently Im using Plastruct or Tenex solvents, are those the strongest for my particular application. One last question I hate working with 2 oz bottles of that stuff where can I get larger quantities of Tenex solvent.

The vast majority of plastic cements are made of chlorinated solvents...I recall hearing down the line that Plasticweld is trichloroethylene and the Tenax is mostly methylene chloride. You could probably find a local chemical supply warehouse that might sell you gallon cans of those substances, but I personally wouldn't want gallon cans of either around my home to worry about spilling. I know from experience that pure methylene chloride can burn you, even though it's not treated as a corrosive material. They're also both pretty volatile chemicals with heavier-than-air vapors, so an improperly-sealed or leaking container can form a nice low-lying vapor cloud, which will surely be appreciated by any pets or small children residing in the home. This also becomes a problem if there's a fire...now staying low to avoid smoke inhalation runs the risk of chemically asphyxiating you.   

The PVC cements I'd be even less-inclined to keep large cans of. Those are usually a mixture composed mostly of MEK, so now you're dealing with something that's volatile, toxic, and flammable, which is always a fun little trifecta.

I don't consider myself much of a safety policeman and I'm big on personal responsibility, but if anyone is going to start dealing with quantities of hazmats, they need to be treated with the respect they deserve. One can only get into so much trouble with a couple of ounces...but upping that to quarts, liters or gallons changes the game a bit.

[bc6]

Thanks for the technical specs on this stuff but theres no way Im planning on storing gallons of this stuff at my home. I may want a pint at the most.

[pnolan48]

I bought a pint of MEK and a pint of toluol at my local hardware store for less than $7. I mix 80 MEK to 20 toluol in a 3 oz bottle, and it works better than any glue I've ever bought. The mix isn't very critical. I keep the two cans tightly sealed in a far corner of a large garage, and am very careful pouring. The MEK alone will weld plastic; the toluol just adds some tackiness and slows the drying.

[bc6]

I bought a pint of MEK and a pint of toluol at my local hardware store for less than $7. I mix 80 MEK to 20 toluol in a 3 oz bottle, and it works better than any glue I've ever bought. The mix isn't very critical. I keep the two cans tightly sealed in a far corner of a large garage, and am very careful pouring. The MEK alone will weld plastic; the toluol just adds some tackiness and slows the drying.

Wow thanks for the information.

[PAL_Houston]

I bought a pint of MEK and a pint of toluol at my local hardware store for less than $7. I mix 80 MEK to 20 toluol in a 3 oz bottle, and it works better than any glue I've ever bought. The mix isn't very critical. I keep the two cans tightly sealed in a far corner of a large garage, and am very careful pouring. The MEK alone will weld plastic; the toluol just adds some tackiness and slows the drying.

...and that advice about keeping them tightly sealed in a far corner of the universe is good, too.  Otherwise you are likely to get high as a kite from that stuff, and that will slow down your productive modeling time.... SLOW...DOWN...YOUR...Mod....L...time.....
 

[peteski]

I think that in most cases common sense prevails.  After all, the chemicals mentioned by Pete Nolan have been commonly used in hobby adhesives for decades and all is well.  Testors Liquid Cement is MEK (just much more expensive).  Remember airplane glue and dope?  More nasty chemicals used for hobby purposes.  Sure, some people (read: teenagers) will find creative ways to get high but they also do that with lots of other chemicals too.  Things like Nitrous Oxide in whip cream cans or even bath salts (just to name a couple)!

[pnolan48]

Plastruct liquid cement is, as far as I know, pure MEK.

Many beauty salons use MEK to remove nail polish. I'd prefer acetone myself (if I ever had my nails done); I guess MEK works faster and may have a more easily concealed aroma. I just use common sense: if I can smell it, I'm too close or using too much. Tuolol is far more dangerous, as it does not evaporate nearly as quickly, so fumes can build up. I'm gluing large areas of .020 styrene together to build up hull thickness,  but I'd estimate my exposure is still less than five minutes a day, and perhaps 1/100 that of using a spray can down in the basement.

If I can smell fumes while gluing, I usually leave the room for a few minutes. Years ago, I went outside to have a cigarette--which was probably more harmful than any exposure to fumes.

[CoalPorter]

I  began using a homemade spill and tip-over proof holder for MEK after
"the big one" spill that ruined model parts that i had 100 hours into.  By the time
I could react, most of them were melting into the table top  

[LN2800]

After Tenax began having supply problems a few years back I switched to Crown MEK from Lowe's and never looked back. Haven't tried it on bonding styrene to PVC but I imagine it would work just the same. Works really well with Evergreen white styrene.

[peteski]

Tenax is actually Methylene Chloride rather than MEK (according to my "sniff test" since Tenax doesn't reveal the ingredients in the bottle).  Methylene Chloride is a water-thin solvent used extensively in making invisible welds in Acrylic and Lexan plastic (Like when making clear display cases).