what do you use to dissolve PLA for welding? Ethyl Acetate and Dichloromethane?
There are old threads but I feel like a new one is needed.
Is there something some of yall are using to dissolve PLA? Among the options I saw Ethyl Acetate and Dichloromethane.
I was thinking it as alternative to Gloop. Because of the cost of Gloop, small quantities, and the shipping time, material drying out if not used.
Not to mention, something to do with the scrap pla of supports and failed prints.
I was thinking of doing a light mixture for liquid welding
I was also thinking of also doing more concentrated mixture with more pla content to fill in gabs and seams, cracks like how one would use spot putty/ wood filler.
Do any of yall use a method like this to glue/weld PLA?
How do yall join pla to eva foam? PLA to TPU?
What about PLA to Wood?
Acetone doesn't fully dissolve PLA but a quick wipe (artist's paintbrush) of acetone followed by immediately pushing the parts together will solvent-weld most parts.
Friction welding is another quick join option where appropriate.
something to do with the scrap pla of supports and failed prints.
I sometimes melt together scrap into slabs about 1cm deep in a domestic oven. A few have been used at the local 'Maker Space'; it's not a true Maker Space, to make new objects - the seat for an infant's chair, a picture frame, a shoe rack; that sort of thing.
How do yall join pla to eva foam?
I never have but I would experiment with glues.
PLA to TPU?
Cyanoacrylates are quite good but if possible print them together and interweave the join.
What about PLA to Wood?
Screws; do not overtighten or the PLA will evade pressure.
Cheerio,
RE: what do you use to dissolve PLA for welding? Ethyl Acetate and Dichloromethane?
Used Ethyl Acetate here for welding parts that interlock.
For context - it's for a sword scabbard / tube - divided in 21cm pieces with about 40mm overlap
[tube is 4 perimeters at 0.8mm - 2 perimeters are used as overlap inside the tube]
The Ethyl Acetate was applied with a brush to the inside and outside of the joint, when the parts where wet press fitting seemed to make immediate bond.
Downside, any Ethyl Acetate on visible parts - with black PLA - gives a mat white discoloration which is hard to remove, it did lessens with quick heat from flametorch.
Would not advise Dichloromethane - it's more toxic and carcinogenic then Ethyl Acetate - and probably more difficult to source.
[search for MSDS and chemical name when considering substances]