Poly Cement: Will it glue PVC pipes?
Poly Cement: Will it glue PVC pipes?
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PumpkinSteve

Original Poster:

4,234 posts

180 months

Sunday 28th October 2012
quotequote all
I'm looking to secure pieces like this:



PVC pipes to 90 degree elbow joints. I've used Humbrol Precision Poly Cement (with the needle nose) to inject the glue between the pipe itself and the elbow joint. Will it hold okay? The pieces aren't going to be under much stress at all.

Thanks smile


jas xjr

11,309 posts

263 months

Sunday 28th October 2012
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Have a look at what plumbers use to glue plastic pipes with . Probably work out cheaper too

Eric Mc

124,906 posts

289 months

Sunday 28th October 2012
quotequote all
Polystyrene Cement is so called because it is designed to weld polystyrene plastics.

Is PVC a polystyrene type plastic?

PumpkinSteve

Original Poster:

4,234 posts

180 months

Sunday 28th October 2012
quotequote all
Eric Mc said:
Polystyrene Cement is so called because it is designed to weld polystyrene plastics.

Is PVC a polystyrene type plastic?
Plastic is plastic to me. Why will it melt an Airfix model but wont touch a 1mm thick PVC pipe?

perdu

4,885 posts

223 months

Sunday 28th October 2012
quotequote all
I can't remember what it IS but I can vouch for it that PVC glue is extremely powerful. I seem to remember it having a very strong smell of acetone.

Would probably melt an Airfix kit into a small bubbling mass.


Eric Mc

124,906 posts

289 months

Sunday 28th October 2012
quotequote all
PumpkinSteve said:
Eric Mc said:
Polystyrene Cement is so called because it is designed to weld polystyrene plastics.

Is PVC a polystyrene type plastic?
Plastic is plastic to me. Why will it melt an Airfix model but wont touch a 1mm thick PVC pipe?
Plastic is not plastic. There are many varieties of plastic type materials all of which have quite distinctive characteristics - and many of them require glues and solvents specially designed for that particular plastic.

You could always do a test on a spare piece of the PVC material you are concerned about and see what happens.

PumpkinSteve

Original Poster:

4,234 posts

180 months

Sunday 28th October 2012
quotequote all
I did a test and it seemed to be relatively strong i.e. needed some muscle to twist apart. It wasn't completely solid, but then I did only leave it two or three hours before destroying it. I think it should be okay, it's only for a pygmy hedgehog:



It's just to sop the bucket falling forward when the weight of the hedgie in inside. I'll glue it and put two small self tappers on the underside of the T-joint, should be okay.

Eric Mc

124,906 posts

289 months

Sunday 28th October 2012
quotequote all
I think you might need to get the hedgehog to sign a waiver smile

dr_gn

16,768 posts

208 months

Sunday 28th October 2012
quotequote all
PumpkinSteve said:
I'm looking to secure pieces like this:



PVC pipes to 90 degree elbow joints. I've used Humbrol Precision Poly Cement (with the needle nose) to inject the glue between the pipe itself and the elbow joint. Will it hold okay? The pieces aren't going to be under much stress at all.

Thanks smile
Are they hard plastic, and do they easily pull apart with no adhesive? If so the fittings you're using look like "solvent weld" , used in central heating overflow/drainage systems amongst other things.

You should use the specific PVC solvent weld adhesive under normal circumstances - it is extremely aggressive and does indeed weld the two parts together in a permanent, watertight joint.

For what you're using it for it should be fine either way.

PumpkinSteve

Original Poster:

4,234 posts

180 months

Sunday 28th October 2012
quotequote all
^ Yes, that is the type of fittings they are.

I've just built one using the poly cement for now and will test in a couple of days when the glue has had a proper chance to set. I have loads of spare parts so I can knock another one up with this PVC solvent weld if it fails. The hedgehog only weighs about 250g so no big deal, plus it isn't my animal so I take no responsibility for any injuries sustained.

dr_gn

16,768 posts

208 months

Sunday 28th October 2012
quotequote all
PumpkinSteve said:
^ Yes, that is the type of fittings they are.

I've just built one using the poly cement for now and will test in a couple of days when the glue has had a proper chance to set. I have loads of spare parts so I can knock another one up with this PVC solvent weld if it fails. The hedgehog only weighs about 250g so no big deal, plus it isn't my animal so I take no responsibility for any injuries sustained.
FWIW just call into B&Q and get a small pot of solvent weld adhesive - it comes with a brush in the lid. Your hedgehog holders will go absolutely nowhere after using that...

PumpkinSteve

Original Poster:

4,234 posts

180 months

Sunday 28th October 2012
quotequote all
dr_gn said:
FWIW just call into B&Q and get a small pot of solvent weld adhesive - it comes with a brush in the lid. Your hedgehog holders will go absolutely nowhere after using that...
Can you show me on here which one it is I need to get?

http://search.diy.com/search#?p=Q&lbc=diy&... &isort=score&method=and&view=grid&cnt=300

Thanks smile

EDIT: I guess this is the stuff?

http://www.diy.com/nav/decor/tiles/adhesives-seala...

dr_gn

16,768 posts

208 months

Sunday 28th October 2012
quotequote all
PumpkinSteve said:
dr_gn said:
FWIW just call into B&Q and get a small pot of solvent weld adhesive - it comes with a brush in the lid. Your hedgehog holders will go absolutely nowhere after using that...
Can you show me on here which one it is I need to get?

http://search.diy.com/search#?p=Q&lbc=diy&... &isort=score&method=and&view=grid&cnt=300

Thanks smile

EDIT: I guess this is the stuff?

http://www.diy.com/nav/decor/tiles/adhesives-seala...
I think that'll be it. The stuff I have is in a pot and stinks of nail varnish remover (acetone).

IroningMan

10,598 posts

270 months

Monday 29th October 2012
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It won't work through the paper stickers on the pipes...

PumpkinSteve

Original Poster:

4,234 posts

180 months

Monday 29th October 2012
quotequote all
IroningMan said:
It won't work through the paper stickers on the pipes...
No... I didn't think it would wink