Plastic foams solvent cements

When two dissimilar plastic foams are to be joined, which is rarely done, adhesive bonding is generally preferable because of solvent and polymer incompatibility problems. Solvents used to cement plastics should be chosen with approximately the same solubility parameter (5) as the plastic to be bonded. The solubility parameter is the square root of the cohesive energy density (CED) of the liquid solvent or polymer. CEDs of organic chemicals are primarily derived from the heat of vaporization and molecular volume of the molecules, and are expressed as calories per cubic centimeter (cal/cm ). Literature sources provide data on 6 s of a number of plastics and resins (2) (3) (4). 

Thermosetting Foam Substrates Most thermosetting plastics are not particularly difficult to bond. Obviously, solvent cementing is not suitable for bonding thermosets to themselves, since they are not soluble. In some cases solvent solutions can be used to join thermoplastics to thermosets. In general, adhesive bonding is the only practical method of joining a thermoset to itself or to a non-plastic material. Epoxies or modified epoxies are the most widely used adhesives for thermosets (1). 

This brief summary report describes the state of the art of all types of cellular materials, particularly plastics and elastomers. The report is organized in the form of a handbook and has an Introduction and sections on Types of Foams (Cellular Materials), Methods of Manufacture, Foam Properties, Solvent Cementing and Adhesive Bonding of Foams, Methods of Making Foams Conductive, and Applications. There are two Appendices, one on Standardization Documents (Test Methods, Practices and Specifications) and the other on Definitions. 

Plastic foams. Some solvent cements and solvent-containing pressure-sensitive adhesives will collapse thermoplastic foams. Water-based adhesives, based on styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) or polyvinyl acetate, and 100 percent solid adhesives are often used. Butyl, nitrile, and polyurethane adhesives are often used for flexible polyurethane foam. Epoxy adhesives offer excellent properties on rigid polyurethane foam. 

The main uses of toluene are as a solvent in paints, rubber, and plastic cements and as a feedstock in the manufacture of organic chemicals, explosives, detergents, and polyurethane foams. Xylenes (which exist as three isomers) are used in the manufacture of DMT, alkyd resins, and plasticizers. Naphthalene is mainly used in the manufacture of dyes, pharmaceuticals, insect repellents, and phthalic anhydride (used in the manufacture of alkyd resins, plasticizers, and polyester). 

While unaffected by water, styrofoam is dissolved by many organic solvents and is unsuitable for high-temperature applications because its heat-distortion temperature is around 77°C. Molded styrofoam objects are produced commercially from expandable polystyrene beads, but this process does not appear attractive for laboratory applications because polyurethane foams are much easier to foam in place. However, extruded polystyrene foam is available in slabs and boards which may be sawed, carved, or sanded into desired shapes and may be cemented. It is generally undesirable to join expanded polystyrene parts with cements that contain solvents which will dissolve the plastic and thus cause collapse of the cellular structure. This excludes from use a large number of cements which contain volatile aromatic hydrocarbons, ketones, or esters. Some suitable cements are room-temperature-vulcanizing silicone rubber (see below) and solvent-free epoxy cements. When a strong bond is not necessary, polyvinyl-acetate emulsion (Elmer s Glue-All) will work. 

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