In the construction of greenhouses, waterproofing and production of other construction work The craftsman may need a reliable polyethylene glue that will create a strong and airtight seam. Designs and operating conditions vary, and each case has its own requirements for the connection. Pipes and fittings for them are made from polymer. Usually, when installing sanitary products, you don’t have to glue the parts together, but use special connecting parts. When installing waterproofing and many other works, it is necessary to firmly and hermetically fasten the materials together.
Technical characteristics and requirements for the adhesive composition
Polyethylene is loved by builders for its unique properties: the polymer does not allow moisture to pass through at all and can be used for waterproofing; it is resistant to chemical influences; aggressive moisture will not disturb its structure. Sometimes this material is used for electrical insulation and even for protection against certain types of radioactive radiation.
Polyethylene is good for everyone, but craftsmen don’t like one drawback - it’s very difficult to glue the film to another surface. To understand how to choose the right fastening composition, you need to understand what happens to the materials during the gluing process. Sometimes substances that destroy the structure of the material are used for this work. The surface becomes sticky and firmly connects to another structure. Approximately the same thing happens when welding 2 pieces of polymer or sealing bags. But sometimes it is necessary that the material does not collapse, remains in original form. In this case, the glue molecules, due to the potential difference, must firmly adhere to the molecules of the film and material of a different design.
Depending on the polymer application, bonding requirements may vary. Strength and durability are essential for any job. No environmental characteristics of great importance For street structures, but important for finishing internal surfaces premises. If waterproofing a shower or bathhouse is carried out, it is necessary that the composition does not collapse and does not release harmful substances under the influence of hot steam. The connection in places subject to sudden changes in temperature must be sufficiently elastic so that when thermal expansion the materials were not sealed.
Which method is better?
Polyethylene molecules do not have a high electrical potential, so finding a substance that will stick well to the polymer is very difficult. For connection they are used not only chemical compositions, depending on the type and purpose of the structures, other methods can be used.
Craftsmen have found several ways to create a strong connection.
- Welding is used when gluing 2 polymer structures, especially for foamed polyethylene.
- Double-sided tape will help hold it together plastic film between themselves or attach it to structures made of some other materials, but such a connection does not withstand heavy loads.
- Special glue.
In stores you can see a lot of ready-made materials, the packaging of which says that they are suitable for gluing polyethylene. Please note that the composition must include methyl acrylate. This component softens the polymer, which is especially important when working with thick films. The composition may also include xylene and chromic anhydride. It is convenient to work with this glue, it is ready for use and does not require additional surface treatment. The only negative is that the vapors are very toxic; you need to work with good ventilation or a respirator.
There are preparations in the form of a thick paste, which must first be mixed with the solvent included in the kit. It is more difficult to use such glue; the working solution dries very quickly. If you do not have experience, prepare the glue in small portions. Epoxy resin has similar qualities, which can be used for gluing foam and ordinary polyethylene.
Reliable manufacturers and brands
To make the connection reliable and durable, you need to use a good adhesive. Companies that value their reputation do everything possible to make it convenient for the craftsman to work with their products. If you don't know what to prefer, pay attention to appearance goods. A self-respecting manufacturer will never pack the material in a box that tears at the first touch, or stick a nondescript, quickly fading label on the container with blurry text and an incomprehensible design. Look at the instructions. It must be detailed and written in understandable language.
For gluing polyethylene there is a special adhesive Easy-Mix PE-PP from Weicon. It contains microscopic glass beads that give extra strength to the seam. The composition hardens very quickly, you should be able to do all the work in 3 minutes. If you don't find such a brand, you can use standard glue for plastic, but try it on a small area first. To ensure that the surface forms a strong bond with the glue, treat it with chromic anhydride. It is recommended to work with room temperature, the seam will gain full strength after 6 hours.
If you don’t find anything suitable in the store, you can glue polyethylene epoxy resin. With this option, surfaces require careful preparation. Rub the film with fine sandpaper until the surface loses its smoothness. Degrease, coat with an oxidizing agent and dry the gluing area. Spread on both surfaces, press them firmly together and leave to harden for a day.
Application of glue
Each brand of glue requires its own approach; all the intricacies of the work are described in the instructions for use. Good manufacturer will describe in detail how to prepare surfaces, apply the compound and make a good seam.
Before purchasing polyethylene adhesive, please read the manual carefully. There should be the following information:
- how to prepare the gluing area;
- do you need to wait some time after applying the composition;
- holding time - how long the seam should remain tightly pressed;
- drying time - after how many hours the product will acquire the required strength and be ready for use.
If the store does not have the required product, the builder is faced with the question: how to glue the polyethylene together? Masters have adapted to using other compositions. Sometimes surfaces need to be roughened or treated chemical reagents. Crushed chalk or cement is added to acrylate glue, which increases the strength of the joint.
Manufacturer's recommendations vary. Sometimes surfaces need to be specially prepared. After application, some compositions need to be left for several minutes, then combined. When using other brands, the materials must be pressed firmly immediately after applying the composition. Read the instructions, everything is written there.
So, polymer film is an excellent material for the construction of greenhouses or insulation work. The polymer has one drawback: it is very difficult to choose a composition for gluing it. If you get to work, think: do you really need glue for polyethylene? Sometimes it is more convenient to use welding or double sided tape. If you want to tackle such a difficult task as gluing polyethylene, first practice on small areas that do not require special strength and tightness. It’s impossible to learn how to do something solely from books and articles; get to work, don’t be afraid to experiment. Very little time will pass, you will get acquainted with the new material, learn its features, and very soon you will share with us your secrets of processing the capricious polymer.
Welding HDPE is feasible due to the fact that polyethylene softens and becomes plastic during heat treatment. Unlike other methods of joining materials, for example using rivets, screws, etc., welding polymers allows you to create an adhesive seam with a smooth, undamaged surface, without cuts or notches, with uniform stress distribution. This welding technology is very popular. For example, such welding is carried out when creating rainwater tanks.
Let's consider the technology of HDPE welding with hot air (hot gas).
The term "hot gas welding" has historical origins. At the initial stage of the emergence of polymer welding technologies, the air in polyethylene welding machines was actually heated using a gas burner. However this method Welding polymers is not practical or safe.
Equipment for welding polypropylene
With the development of technology, devices for welding polypropylene with electrically heated. Equipment for welding polypropylene allows you to regulate the air temperature. But nevertheless, the term “hot gas welding” remained.
HDPE welding technology
The thermoplastic welding process consists of several stages. First, the surfaces of the parts to be welded are prepared, and then the welding zone is heated. Next, the polypropylene parts are welded using a welding machine and the weld is subsequently cooled (the welded layers are under pressure). Then the welded parts are released from pressure and the seam is processed - the result of welding.
The quality of the weld is indicated by the valence ratio. The valence ratio denotes the ratio of the strength of the seam and the strength of the material being welded. Often a satisfactory valence ratio is 0.6-0.8. It follows from this that the strength of the seam after welding polymers is 60-80% of the strength of the base material. But it is worth remembering that a good welder can create a weld with a higher valence ratio, up to 100% depending on the material.
How to glue HDPE?
Many people wonder how to glue HDPE (polyethylene) low pressure). Even if such an option were possible, it would greatly reduce the quality of the connections. Instead of gluing HDPE, it is recommended to carry out welding with special devices. Only in this case will you get a high-quality, durable connection.
Where to buy a welding machine for polypropylene and polyethylene?
Buy welding machine for polypropylene and polyethylene can be found on our website. We present popular models of devices at the best prices.
Polyethylene has long been popular in household material, unpretentious and inexpensive. Many people are faced with the need to glue polyethylene, for example, when arranging a greenhouse. It is worth noting that this material difficult to bond, but, nevertheless, this can be done using special adhesives.
So, to the question, what kind of glue will firmly glue polyethylene, experts answer - these are BF-2 and BF-4 adhesives, as well as glacial acetic acid, xylene and trichlorethylene. You can purchase these compounds in specialized stores.
What glue to use to glue polyethylene
What glue to use for gluing polyethylene - composition
The easiest way is to purchase structural adhesive in the store, which contains methyl acrylate. Its properties ensure rapid softening of polyethylene and its further gluing. The glue also contains inorganic and organic acids and xylene, chromic anhydride and various additives.
The advantage of using a mixture is that it does not require additional processing material. However, polyethylene glue is quite toxic, so it is recommended to carry out work outdoors. The glue acquires its best properties at a temperature of +35C; it is not afraid of moisture, but is flammable. It is better to buy it in specialized stores so as not to run into a fake.
If there is a need to combine polyethylene with polyethylene, it is more convenient and easier to resort to heat treatment.
This technique allows you to obtain a strong, unbreakable seam. Among the disadvantages of the method, it is worth noting the deformation of the edges of the product.
Mixtures for combining polymers are available for sale, with a consistency similar to a thick paste. An activator is included in the kit. After adding it to polyethylene glue, it acquires the necessary consistency and can be used for the near future.
Gluing polyethylene - step-by-step instructions
To glue polyethylene, you will not need specialized knowledge and skills. Even beginners can cope with the task at home.
The operating procedure is as follows:
- Clean the surface and degrease it. Some manufacturers claim that this step is not mandatory, but experts still recommend spending a few minutes and under no circumstances skipping it.
- Apply glue to the treated material. It will only take a few minutes for it to harden, so the parts need to be attached to each other without delay.
- Leave the glued polyethylene elements for several hours until the glue completely sets.
In general, this algorithm is similar to working with any glue. However, you should take care to use protective gloves, since the glue can cause allergic reactions and is quite toxic.
It is more convenient to apply the adhesive using glue gun, which can be charged with ready-made cartridges. The mixture of them is distributed evenly, so it is easy to achieve the desired dosage. If you are planning a large amount of work, this device is worth investing in.
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How to glue foamed polyethylene
Foamed polyethylene has a porous structure, therefore it provides high-quality heat, steam and waterproofing.
Thanks not high price, ease of operation and installation, it is actively used in construction. The most popular brands are Izolon, Vilaterm, Energoflex, Polyfom, Temaflex.
If the need arises glue foam insulation, experts recommend two-component adhesives based on methyl acrylate. Such compositions are characterized by high adhesion and are suitable for working with polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, and polypropylene. An example is the well-known adhesive composition “Easy-Mix PE-PP” from WEICON.
Usually in order to achieve high results in gluing foamed polyethylenes, the following procedures are additionally required:
- surface treatment by sandblasting or grinding,
- physical treatment, for example, thermal fire,
- chemical treatment (usually the fluoridation method is used).
But when using “Easy-Mix PE-PP” you can do without additional preparation and treatment of surfaces due to the “primer” included in the composition, which changes the structure of the materials being glued, after which they easily adhere.
The use of “Easy-Mix PE-PP” adhesive for working with polyethylene foam both on an industrial scale and at home allows you to reliably and quickly fasten materials, while it is ready for use immediately after opening the package, it is easy to dose and mix, and apply.
The glue has a soft paste-like consistency, is not afraid of conditional “aging” and retains its properties for a long time even in open areas.
Polyethylene is an unpretentious and inexpensive material, therefore it is actively used in everyday life and in some cases is irreplaceable. Sometimes situations arise in which it is necessary to glue the material, for example, when constructing a greenhouse. Not all compositions are effective in this case; you will need to use a special glue for polyethylene, which has excellent adhesive properties.
Technical characteristics of polyethylene
Polyethylene film is used as insulation, packaging material, electrical insulator. It can reliably protect against moisture and absorbs neutrons, which are a type of radioactive radiation. Foamed polyethylene, which is otherwise called isolon or polyfol, is used to insulate a home - it is used to cover walls.
The question of how to glue polyethylene arises quite often. The usual composition is not suitable for these purposes, since the material is chemically inert. A special glue for polyethylene is required.
Polyethylene bonding is an electrical and chemical basis. The adhesive composition should adhere well to the surface of the film, and after hardening, reliably adhere the surfaces to each other.
There are two ways to firmly glue polyethylene:
- High temperature welding (iron).
- Use of adhesives.
Types of glue and their manufacturers
The vast majority of adhesive compositions practically do not stick to polyethylene, simply being squeezed out from the area where the surfaces come into contact. But there are still materials that can cope with such a difficult task.
The most popular types of glue that can be used for polyethylene are:
- BF-2, BF-4;
- two-component acrylate;
- epoxy.
Butyraphenol glue (abbreviated BF) is produced in Russia, the manufacturer is JSC "Petrokhim" in the city of St. Petersburg. The glue is a viscous, thick liquid of brown or reddish-brown color and does not rot or corrode.
Suitable for gluing metal, plastic, ceramics and wood, and used for restoration work. Glue cannot be used for dishes, as it contains toxic aldehydes and phenol. BF-2 is universal, chemically inert and moisture resistant.
In terms of chemical resistance, it is practically no different from BF-2, but its scope of application is slightly different. BF-4 is usually used for gluing elastic materials that are subject to vibration and bending. For example, leather, wood, plexiglass, textolite, metals and alloys.
Two-component acrylate glue is characterized by increased strength, it is transparent and does not harden very quickly (in 4 minutes), which allows you not to rush too much when working. Excellent bonding of metal and plexiglass.
Epoxy adhesive "Contact" transparent is produced by LLC "ROSEL", St. Petersburg based on polyepoxy resin and hardener. Used for repairing products made of fiberglass, porcelain, wood, earthenware, glass, metal and various alloys. The composition perfectly fills cracks, voids and gaps, restores the shape and volume of objects. The seam is characterized by resistance to gasoline, oil, and water.
Which is better
Among all the compounds that can glue polyethylene film, the leading position is occupied by glue, designed specifically for materials with weak adhesion. This is an acrylate glue with filler. It contains very small glass beads that do not allow the composition to slip out of the gluing area; they form a gap of optimal thickness.
Ruler glue is perfect for polyethylene foam KLEYBERG 152-1 due to its unique composition and wide range of uses.
Application
Before using the composition, thoroughly degrease and dry the surfaces. You can apply glue only from the mixer that is included in the package. Maximum mechanical strength seam for polyethylene occurs after 4 or 5 hours. The optimal air temperature for work is from +21 to +23˚ C.
Advice
In the liquid state, the adhesive's shelf life is no longer than three minutes, so join the surfaces immediately after applying the composition.
It is not intended for gluing polyethylene surfaces, but the phenol-formaldehyde resin included in its composition has excellent adhesion to such material.
Application of epoxy glue:
- Rub the areas to be glued with sandpaper, degrease and dry.
- Treat the surfaces with chromic anhydride (concentration solution 15-20%) or potassium dichromate (20-30%). You need to work with them with extreme caution, as these substances are very caustic and are dangerous carcinogens.
- After treatment, dry the surfaces.
- Prepare epoxy glue according to the instructions on the package.
- Apply adhesive to both surfaces the thinnest layer and connect them immediately.
- Leave for several hours, or better yet, a whole day at a temperature of +30 to +45˚ C, so that the seam completely hardens.
Advice
Chromic anhydride and potassium bichromate can be replaced with a strong solution of potassium permanganate, which is also a strong oxidizing agent. It is no less effective, but at the same time safer, although it can also leave a chemical burn.
- If presented very high requirements to the strength of the formed seam, then the best way gluing polyethylene - welding. The seam will be strong if it is not allowed to cool suddenly.
- Before using filled acrylate adhesive, no mechanical preparation of the surface is required. With the exception of degreasing and cleaning, which are carried out before gluing any surfaces.
- The seam formed after gluing the film with acrylate glue should be kept at a temperature from +15 to +70˚ C for 4-5 hours.
- WITH epoxy glue It is difficult to work, in addition, the strength of the connection is not very good.
Advice
You can create your own glue recipe for polyethylene by adding a little crushed chalk or cement to the acrylate glue. The composition can be of high quality and at the same time inexpensive.
The best option for gluing polyethylene is welding, since the result is a strong, reliable seam. Apply adhesive compositions This is not always advisable; this is explained by the fact that polyethylene is a chemically inert material with weak adhesive properties.
Polyethylene films are used for under-roof hydro and vapor barrier. During the installation process, it is often necessary to connect the pieces into one panel, but adhesive tape does not always help. The connection cannot be fixed with ordinary silicate glue or PVA. How to glue plastic film at home to get a reliable joint that does not allow moisture and steam to pass through? There are several effective and simple ways, which do not require complex equipment.
Problems when gluing polyethylene are a fairly common situation. It's all about the characteristics of the material. Once you understand them, you can easily avoid difficulties.
Heat sinteres two layers
What you need to remember from chemistry and physics
Polyethylene is the most common polymer in the world. Its extraordinary popularity is explained by the excellent properties of the material - impact resistance, ductility, low gas and water permeability. Films are used for roofing mesh reinforced or fabric, which increases the strength of the material.
Despite the advantages, polyethylene films are very rarely glued together in industry. To understand why connecting parts is problematic, just remember your school chemistry lessons. The molecule of this polymer is a long chain of similar -CH2- units. The charges inside such a molecule are distributed evenly, it is non-polar. And the higher the polarity, the more suitable the polymer is for gluing.
This device is suitable for small parts
Connection methods without glue and solvent
The method of gluing with its own solution, which is common for many polymers, is also not suitable - polyethylene is practically insoluble in organic solvents. The answer to the question: how to glue polyethylene film is actually very simple: it is best to use welding.
Of the many methods for welding polyethylene film, two are worth highlighting:
- Welding with a heated object.
- Open flame welding.
Both methods are equally effective, but not industrial conditions it's still easier and safer to use the first one. However, everyone can choose the most suitable option for themselves, taking into account the availability necessary tools and your own skills. In any case, these methods make it possible to firmly connect parts together, creating reliable building elements, agrotechnical and protective structures.
When laying film on the roof, you can do without soldering
Preparatory stages for work
Folk wisdom says: “Measure seven times, cut once.” And before starting to work with polyethylene, you need to not only carefully take measurements, but also think through every detail. First of all, answer the questions:
- What loads will the finished structure be subject to?
- What is its expected lifespan?
- Do you need 100% hydro resistance?
Maybe after such questions the need to glue together many parts will disappear. For example, to insulate transported goods or preserve equipment, some parts of the plastic film can be secured with metal staples or twine. And for protection building structure to protect against moisture, it is recommended to overlap the polymer, covering individual parts.
But when the question arises about how to glue reinforced film for a greenhouse, you should not neglect reliability. After all, such a design, as a rule, should serve for a long time, perfectly protecting plants from all kinds of weather surprises. Connecting with staples and strong ropes will not work in this case, and welding (any of the proposed types) would be an ideal option.
Hot Welding Instructions
This method can be called the simplest, most effective and safe at the same time, especially when it comes to welding at home. An ordinary iron can be found in every home, and seams created using heated objects are usually the smoothest and neatest.
Universal roller for gluing polyethylene
Most convenient tool For this method, a roller with a built-in electric heating device can serve. This tool is ideal in cases where a large amount of work needs to be done - for example, in large agro-industrial enterprises. As a rule, such devices have to be made independently. And for them to work well, you must at least have a qualification as an electrician.
However, when it comes to how to glue plastic film for a greenhouse at home, the roller method is not very suitable. After all, not everyone has the time, patience and necessary skills to create such a device, especially when the need for welding rarely arises. Then you should resort to the help of improvised means. And in everyday life there are a lot of devices that can be heated to the required temperature – approximately 250°C.
How to work with an electric iron and analogues
To glue polyethylene using an iron, you just need to lay the edges of the material on a wooden strip, and then iron the parts through a newspaper or fluoroplastic film folded in half. By the way, these same safety elements will not be superfluous when gluing with other hot objects. Depending on the area of the surface to be joined, you can use a narrow edge, spout or flat iron. A wooden slats will help create an even and neat connection.
To what temperature should the iron be heated? Unfortunately, there are no clear recommendations on this issue, and 250°C is rather a relative indicator. The melting point depends primarily on the brand of polyethylene. Therefore, you need to be very careful while working. If the material does not connect and does not change at all, it means that the iron needs to be heated more strongly. If the seam is barely noticeable, and the film near it has lost its strength, the temperature is already too high.
There is always a risk of burning through the film. To avoid this, you need to reduce the contact between the iron and the parts being glued to one second. To prevent polyethylene from sticking to the iron, instead of newspaper, you can cover the surface of the polymer with thin cellophane before work. To check how effective polyethylene soldering is, you need to pull the connected parts in different directions. If the seam has come apart– the process will have to start again.
Soldering iron with a special nozzle
If the iron method is not suitable for some reason, you can use other tools. For example, a hot knife and a soldering iron tip will make it possible to create smooth and thin seam lines. Some craftsmen manage to connect polyethylene parts with a hot needle. However, you can use other available means. Auxiliary tools are the same as for joining with an iron - wooden frame, newspaper or cellophane.
Homemade soldering iron for gluing polyethylene
Open flame welding of film
You will need:
- one of possible adaptations with open fire: gas-burner, alcohol lamp, blowtorch, match, torch;
- bars made of ceramic or metal.
First, the edges of the film are fixed with bars so that a narrow strip of polyethylene several millimeters thick is visible at the welding site. The bars should be made of metal or ceramics, but in no case from wood - after all, their function is not only to keep the polyethylene immobile, but also to remove some of the heat so that the parts being connected do not burn out.
After this, the tool selected for welding must be conditional line along the edge of the polyethylene parts. As a result, a dense connecting bead should form at the point where the films come into contact with the open fire. For the welding process to be successful, it is advisable to first empirically, select the optimal tool speed. It depends on the device used and on the brand of polyethylene.
It is better to use the device on the roof
Is it possible to glue the film with glue?
Some craftsmen tried to use BF-4 or BF-2 to glue plastic film at home. After treating the parts with a 25% solution of chromic anhydride, they applied glue to the surface, but subsequently the seams on the plastic film still had to be treated with an iron heated to 50-60 °C. As a result, this method differed little from joining with hot objects, even if the temperature was much lower.
Using super glue: a cutting-edge approach
The surface roughness contributes to the successful joining of parts with glue. But the properties of the polymer in question are opposite - it is characterized by ideal smoothness. And yet, how to glue plastic film for a greenhouse using only one of the ordinary factory adhesives? Until recently it was thought that this was impossible.
However, recently varieties of superglues specifically designed for working with polyethylene film have appeared on the market. Among the advantages of such products:
- no odor;
- water resistance;
- elasticity;
- strength of connections.
When dry, they can be diluted with acetone. However, they must be used with caution, avoid contact with skin and household surfaces, because they contain strong solvents.
Also worthy of attention are products based on ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate, which were developed by chemist Harry Coover during military experiments in the United States back in the middle of the last century. These types of glue are available today thanks to mass production, create fairly strong connections, and are also suitable for working with rubber and metal.
Is the choice of adhesive for joining parts justified?
Is it worth using glue for polyethylene at home, including for roofing works? One of the main problems when used in everyday life can be its toxicity. In addition, not all products on the market are of sufficient quality. And it is simply impossible to check the effectiveness of glue upon purchase. At the same time, when using one of the types of welding, there is a greater chance of getting excellent result.
Using glue for polyethylene
As you can see, there are many ways to glue plastic film at home, and everyone can choose the most suitable one for themselves. In addition, there is always the opportunity to turn to professionals who will not only give useful advice, but can also provide practical assistance.
