Forming & fabricating with Acrylic. ***CEMENTING ACRYLIC TO OTHER MATERIALS*** A Tenecor® Explainer

[Tenecor Aquariums]

Satisfactory joints between acrylic sheet and other plastics as well as non-plastics are more difficult than joining acrylic to acrylic and the resulting joints are usually lower strength. In most cases, there is a substantial difference in thermal expansion between 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 acrylic sheet to non-plastics, the dimensions of the cemented areas should be as small as possible. This is especially relevant when acrylic is cemented to materials with much smaller coefficients of thermal expansion. Real life examples of this are drop in AIO kits, filter overflow boxes and an assortment of racks. If it is unnecessary for the joint to be transparent, many adhesives, such as silicones, polysulfides, and rubber-based adhesives are available. However, for aquarium related applications, I recommend using only aquarium grade silicones.

The table below is a partial list of cements suitable for joining acrylic with other materials. Keep in mind depending on the application, your mileage may vary.

View attachment 2869589

 

[Idoc]

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[BamaCoastPyrat]

Satisfactory joints between acrylic sheet and other plastics as well as non-plastics are more difficult than joining acrylic to acrylic and the resulting joints are usually lower strength. In most cases, there is a substantial difference in thermal expansion between 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 acrylic sheet to non-plastics, the dimensions of the cemented areas should be as small as possible. This is especially relevant when acrylic is cemented to materials with much smaller coefficients of thermal expansion. Real life examples of this are drop in AIO kits, filter overflow boxes and an assortment of racks. If it is unnecessary for the joint to be transparent, many adhesives, such as silicones, polysulfides, and rubber-based adhesives are available. However, for aquarium related applications, I recommend using only aquarium grade silicones.

The table below is a partial list of cements suitable for joining acrylic with other materials. Keep in mind depending on the application, your mileage may vary.

View attachment 2869589

What is the process for acrylic to acrylic? Can I use CA glue for non-structural parts like sump dividers?

 

[Meloco14]

How hard it is to remove acrylic? I'm looking at buying a lightly used acrylic tank however it has overflow boxes on either end of the tank. Would it be difficult to remove the overflow boxes?

 

[flagg37]

I had no idea you could bond acrylic to wood. How strong is that joint compared to acrylic to acrylic?