Anybody ever fused plastics, acrylics, lexan, etc.

This is the main board for discussing general techniques, tools, and processes for fusing, slumping, and related kiln-forming activities.

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hoknok
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Anybody ever fused plastics, acrylics, lexan, etc.

Post by hoknok »

I have a project that glass is not allowed due to tradeshow rules. So I am thinking about using plastics?

Has anybody fused or sandblasted plastics before with good results?

mike
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Tony Smith
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Post by Tony Smith »

Acrylic sandblasts fine but very fast. It also scratches much much faster than glass, so you have to be meticulous about cleaning your work surfaces and rinsing the piece thoroughly when done.

There are solvents for fusing acrylic together and they work great. Acrylic slumps well... I think I was using 300° for 5 minutes to bend 1/8", but it was awhile ago and I didn't keep notes.

Tony
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elin
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Post by elin »

Yup- done both, Tony's right, although I don't remember the slumping temp either. The only thing I have to add is that blasting acryllic will build up mucho static charge... so watch out or you'll get zapped! (I was using aluminum oxide... maybe it would happen less with silica carbide?...)
-elin
Mark Kemp
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Post by Mark Kemp »

I've never fused it in this sense (though have "glued" with solvents), but we slumped acrylics in junior high shop class back in the 60's. Whenever I see draped glass, it reminds me of that. Make sure you know what you're doing before heating acrylic. Overheating releases flammable gasses, which can lead to an explosion.
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hoknok
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Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2003 9:18 am
Location: Raised up North, living in the South

Post by hoknok »

Tony,

By the way, I want to thank you for your informative site on Sandblasting. It has been my main guide.

Let me ask the experts more questions please:

1. What is the advantages of using Glass beads as to others?

2. What is a good inexpensive mask to use.

3. What is the best abrasive foe deep etching in both plastics and glass?

4. What happens if you fire polish an etched piece? Does it go smooth again?

5. How are you guys blasting the big stuff thats too large for a cabinet.

6. What is a better economical blasting tip than the one I got from HF tools?

&. Can one "Polish" with sand blasting.

THANKS

MIke 8)
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Brad Walker
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Post by Brad Walker »

hoknok wrote:1. What is the advantages of using Glass beads as to others?

2. What is a good inexpensive mask to use.

3. What is the best abrasive foe deep etching in both plastics and glass?

4. What happens if you fire polish an etched piece? Does it go smooth again?

5. How are you guys blasting the big stuff thats too large for a cabinet.

6. What is a better economical blasting tip than the one I got from HF tools?

&. Can one "Polish" with sand blasting.
So many questions, so little time....

1. No advantage. In fact, for blasting glass beads are the wrong abrasive to use.

2. 3M P100

3. Aluminum oxide or silicon carbide

4. Yes.

5. Use a booth. Or a pressure pot.

6. Try tptools.com or glastar.com

&. No.
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