Installation Guide

ManualsBrandsPlexiglas ManualsAcrylic Sheets48 in. x 48 in. x 1/4 in. Clear Acrylic Sheet

Cementing Plexiglas

Acrylic Sheet to

Other Materials

Before specifying cementing for attachment of Plexiglas

acrylic sheet to dissimilar materials, the possibilities of mechanical

attachment should be carefully evaluated. Properly designed

mechanical attachment overcomes the difficulties often

encountered with cementing. For some applications, pressure-

sensitive, double-faced tape may be suitable for joining Plexiglas

acrylic sheet to other materials.

Satisfactory joints between Plexiglas

acrylic sheet and other

plastics and non-plastics are more difficult to make than Plexiglas

acrylic to Plexiglas

acrylic joints and usually give lower joint strength.

In most cases, there is a substantial difference in thermal

expansion between Plexiglas

acrylic sheet and non-plastic materials.

When joints between dissimilar materials are exposed to rising

or falling temperatures, the materials expand and contract by

different amounts, placing large stresses on any bond between them.

Only cements that remain permanently flexible will continuously

withstand these stresses.

When it is necessary to cement Plexiglas

acrylic sheet to

non-plastics, the dimensions of the cemented areas should be

as small as possible. This is especially true if acrylic is cemented

to materials that have much smaller coefficients of thermal

expansion than Plexiglas

acrylic sheet does.

If it is unnecessary for the joint to be transparent, many

adhesives, such as silicones, polysulfides, and rubber-based

adhesives, are available. Most of these adhesives are suitable

for outdoor applications.

Table 5, below, gives a partial list of cements suitable for joining

Plexiglas

acrylic sheet to other materials.

Joining Plexiglas

Acrylic Sheet to Other Materials

PLEXIGLAS

Sheet Joined to:

Metal (1)

Rubber

ood

Vinyl (2)

ABS (3)

Polycarbonate (3)

Polystyrene

, Impact

Styrene (3)

Styrene Acrylonitrile

(SAN) (3)

Cellulose Acetate

Butyrate (CAB) (3)

Phenolics

Cement or Adhesive (4)

Contact cements, Polysulfide cements

PS-30, W

eld-On 40 or 42

PS-30, Weld-On 40 or 42

Cyclohexanone

PS-30, Weld-On 40 or 42, Solvent

Solvent

PS-30, Weld-On 40 or 42, Solvent

PS-30, Weld-On 40 or 42

Remarks

Joint Life is limited. Maximum. bonding size is 2 ft. by 2 ft.; not suitable

for outdoor use; joint is tr

ansparent; joint strength is low.

Before Plexiglas

acrylic sheet may be joined to rubber with cements

that do not attack its surface, it is necessary to treat the rubber

with sulfuric acid until the surface face hardens. The rubber is then

washed and flexed, breaking the surface into cracks, which provide

the means for mechanical adhesion of the cement to rubber.

Suitable for outdoor use; joint is transparent.

Not suitable for outdoor use; joint is transparent.

Joint is transparent.

(1) Thoroughly clean surfaces of metal with an organic solvent prior to joining.

(2) Avoid grades containing plasticizers that may migrate through the joint causing crazing of Plexiglas

acrylic sheet.

(3) These materials are not as durable as Plexiglas

acrylic sheet, when used outdoors.

(4) Consult the manufacturer or supplier for the appropriate MSDS for each adhesive or cement.

TABLE 5