Adhesive

Hi all

What is the best adhesive to bond PLA or ABS ?

Can PLA be permanently immersed in fresh water ?

Thanks

1. I use loctite plastic epoxy

2. I don't know, but it is biodegradable so i wouldn't think so, but ABS might.

-Nick

I'm not sure what the "best" is, but I was impressed by the ability of acetone to bond two pieces of ABS. Weld might be a better word for it.

As for PLA, I haven't a clue for either question

Thanks for the input chaps

I will try what you suggested

ArtApe, for what it's worth, since a reasonable number of people who print with PLA have had good success using dilute PVA (aka "Elmer's glue" in the US) to afix PLA prints to the platen, perhaps a water-proof version like Titebond III might be applicable to PLA?

(dunno if available in UK, but Titebond is a modified PVA - or at least similar to PVA-- used for wood and has good properties around moisture once cured)

Hi Xiando

Thanks for your suggestion, Titebond is available in the UK.

I am also thinking of coating the finished elements in product called plasti-dip, has anyone used this product with PLA?

one small word of warning. I was not for a moment suggesting use as a primary adhesive wash for the print operation itself. As I noted, once dry, it's very close to water proof, so I would not recommend it for that purpose. Was only suggesting it *might be good for gluing two PLA printed objects together (although I'll leave the experiment up to those who print in PLA)

If by "bond", you mean bond or glue ABS to itself or another substrate (as opposed to a treatment on the hot bed prior to printing), then my vote is for a product called "Plaster Welder". I buy it at an auto parts store. Two components in a common dual chamber syringe....so a 1:1 mix of the two components (mixed on an external mixing surface or container). Is *not* an epoxy (as far as I know)....some sort of acyrilic base. Cures in about twenty minutes to hard to the touch, full strength some time later. It adheres to all sorts of substrates. Has a strong, almost floral, odor before cure. Waterproof. It is my go-to adhesive for about 80% of shop jobs.

Thanks mars, I could not locate the product you suggested, I am in the UK, but have been reminded of abs adhesive as used by plumbers to join abs pipes and fittings, has anyone tryed this?