The material of the twenty-first century is plastic. A large number of everyday items that we use are made of various polymers that most people simply discard when they break. The number of things that are simply discarded but could still be used is astounding:
As someone who has never repaired plastic items before, it can be perplexing. There is usually no part to replace, no nut to tighten, just something deformed or punctured. Only the material itself needs to be repaired.
Why should you be able to repair cracked plastic? Plastic is found in numerous household items. Joining two or more pieces together is one of the most common steps in repairing broken plastic objects.
Plastic is less challenging to work with than you might think. Many items can be easily repaired with a little heat and pressure. So, before you throw a broken piece of plastic into the recycling bin, here are ways to repair broken plastic.
Simply put, gluing things together is always an option. Cyanoacrylate glue (Superglue) or plastic model glue is best for plastics. However, using glue to repair broken plastic may cause some mess and leave you with sticky fingers.
Plastics (especially small or thin pieces) do not require high temperatures to soften enough to manipulate. Just heat some water on the stove or microwave until below boiling, and set aside a bowl of cold water. Warm up the plastic piece by immersing it in water. Remove the item from the hot water bath on a regular basis and test its malleability. It will eventually become gentle enough to straighten with your hands.
When you are trying to fix your action figures, this method will work best for you.
If you need to join two separate pieces of plastic or repair a crack, you'll need to do some plastic welding. The basic concept is to apply heat to the edges to be joined to melt the plastic until it is liquid enough to blend the edges. Additional plastic can be melted into the groove to create a stronger bond, but this isn't always necessary depending on the situation.
There are tools designed specifically for plastic welding jobs, with attachments for each step of the process, but for one-time repairs, a low-wattage soldering iron will suffice.
Important: Because melting plastic can be hazardous, do so in a well-ventilated area.
Another ways to repair broken plastic is friction welding. A small piece of plastic is spun at high speeds and pressed against the intended joint between two separate plastic pieces. The friction melts both the plastic of the two pieces being joined and the plastic that is spinning, resulting in a strong bond.
The "Spin Welder" toy by Mattel was based on this principle, and the idea was revisited in 2012 to create a friction welder using an inexpensive rotary tool. Because you can match the plastic by using the same filament, this is an exceptionally useful technique for repairing 3D printer misprints.
More ways to repair broken plastic when the hole is large enough, you'll need to make a plastic patch to cover it. Soften the edges of the hole and the section of plastic you'll be using as a patch with a heat source (preferably a heat gun), and carefully place it to ensure the hole is completely covered. You'll need gloves because it gets hot. Once the patch is in place, smooth the edges with a hot metal spoon or trowel.
You must use the same type of plastic for your patch.
Acetone is a solvent that can effectively melt ABS plastics. Acetone has been used by 3D printing enthusiasts to smooth 3D printed surfaces, bond pieces together, and troubleshoot misprints. ABS slurry, a mixture of acetone and ABS, can be used as a glue or as a filler for softening grooves or filling gaps.
It is important to note that this method will not work with PLA.
So you've learned ways to repair broken plastic. We believe that attempting to repair broken plastic is worth the effort to reduce plastic disposal and pollution of the environment. However, the final step in repairing broken plastic is to test your work.
It is a good idea to test the work after completion. It's also a good idea to wait until it's completely cool before testing. Make as much pressure or tension as you believe it will experience when used.
Plastic chairs, for example, are subjected to high tensions. A good way to put them to the test is to use them in extreme situations, such as putting all of your weight on them, not allowing your legs to touch the floor, and possibly jumping a little over them. Just be prepared for a sudden interruption.
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