Know here everything on How to Prepare to Plastic Welding.
To ensure the success of your plastic welding job, there are some important steps you need to take before even heating up your tool.
As potentially harmful chemicals will be emitted during welding, ensure your workspace is adequately ventilated. If this is not possible, wear a respirator that will filter the volatile organics that will be emitted. Check with a respirator supplier for details.
Before you consider attempting plastic welding, it is critical that you know the exact type of plastics you intend to weld. If they are a different type, it is possible that the weld join will not be structurally sound. If you’re unsure about the types of plastic you wish to weld, use a welding rod test kit.
Make sure the surfaces are free of debris, dust, grease, oil and chemicals. Washing in soap and water is sufficient for ‘raw’ plastic. However, if you are re-using plastic that has previously been exposed to greases or oils, you may need to use a solvent. If using a solvent, it is crucial that the solvent has evaporated completely before doing your plastic welding. Use 80 grit sandpaper to remove any paint.
Make sure your plastic welding tool is fit for the job – check with a plastic welding tool supplier if you’re unsure. Plastic welding tools include extruders, sheet welders, welding rods, hot air hand tools, tools for welding modified bitumen, heat guns, butt fusion machines, pipe welding machines, fabrication machines, socket fusion machines and more.
Secure the pieces to be plastic welded, either by using clamps or tape. This will ensure that, once you start welding, they will be in the correct position.
Read Part 2 for details on how to weld. This includes pre-heating your plastic welding tool, doing tack welds to join the pieces, doing full welds and allowing the plastic to cool.
If you need help with plastic welding, get in touch with Plastral. They have been a mainstay of plastic welding and the Oceanic plastics industry for more than 75 years. There is little they don’t know about plastic welding and plastic welding tools. Read more about welding tools on Plastral site.
