Polycarbonate is often used in the construction of canopies, greenhouses, canopies and other structures. For large-scale projects, all kinds of fasteners are used, but in small buildings it is easier to get by with gluing. From this article you will learn how to choose adhesive for polycarbonate.
Classification
The industry produces several types of glue suitable for construction. Different adhesive mixtures differ from each other in a number of characteristics:
- ease of use;
- viscosity;
- operating principle;
- hardening speed and bonding strength;
- resistance to temperature fluctuations;
- waterproof.
They do not produce a specific adhesive used exclusively for polycarbonate. Builders use compounds aimed at bonding plastic and other polymers. Such compositions contain:
- polyamide;
- polyurethane;
- acrylate and its varieties;
- acetic acid;
- ethylene vinyl acetate;
- silicone
Silicone glue is considered the most popular among its analogues The adhesive may contain one or more components. Single-component ones are used in the construction of lightweight structures that will not experience severe mechanical loads. In more complex situations, multi-component ones are used.
Not all adhesives are suitable for working with polycarbonate. For example, you should avoid compositions that contain dichloroethane, alkali and other solvents - aggressive “chemistry” harms the polymer surfaces being bonded, changing the structure, color, or simply does not provide the required strength of the connection.
Let's give brief description most popular compositions:
Step-by-step gluing instructions
To obtain a strong and reliable adhesion of materials, both surfaces to be joined are cleaned of dirt and degreased using isopropyl alcohol.
To apply glue, heat guns and other devices are used - tubes, syringes, etc. Before starting work, you need to decide how best to fasten the structures.
There are two options:
- Overlapping. Used when high reliability and strength are required.
- Butt. It is used for structures that will not experience heavy loads, as well as in situations where the appearance of the building is important.
Polycarbonate is glued to polycarbonate using any one-component composition. But if you need to connect polycarbonate with another material, for example, metal, a tape is used that has two adhesive sides, each of which has its own composition applied.
Double-sided acrylic tape can carry transparent and colored composition. With its help, it is possible to bond polycarbonate to plastic, wood, glass or metal.
Double-sided acrylic tape will help secure polycarbonate to various materials Features of hot-setting adhesive
When gluing polycarbonate elements, hot-curing polyamide adhesive performed well. To work you have to use a heat gun with glue sticks, which differ for different models pistols.
The process is as follows:
- the rods heat up and begin to melt;
- the molten mass in the required doses is applied to the surface to be treated (clean and degreased).
The result is a strong bond that can withstand severe physical stress. Polyamide requires heating at 150 °C. The disadvantage is in the conditions high humidity strength deteriorates over time.
Gluing polycarbonate sheets using a heat gun will make the building very durable Pros and cons of cold hardening glue
Light structures are held together with glue, which does not need to be heated before work. This gluing has a neat appearance, the seam is highly durable. Industry produces different options glue for cell phones and monolithic polycarbonates. You can choose either a transparent composition or a white one. The main disadvantage of use is the difficulty of applying the composition, for which you have to use various devices.
If the future structure will experience increased operational load, when installing polycarbonate sheets, more serious mechanical fasteners are used: self-tapping screws and thermal washers. But in such situations, glue also has a place. It is used as a composition for sealing joints, this is especially in demand when working with porous cellular polycarbonate. By sealing the joint areas with glue, it is possible to reduce the risk of penetration of moisture and dirt.
The use of polycarbonate for construction in a variety of areas is due to the strength, aesthetics and durability of this material.
Structures that are erected using can have the most different shape and purpose. And the simplicity of the design does not always make it possible to dispense with connecting panels of material with a special profile and fastening with self-tapping screws. How then to realize the design idea?
The use of adhesives when connecting individual structural elements is often the only possible option obtaining integrity and strength finished product. Based on the nature of polycarbonate, selecting an adhesive with the desired properties is of particular importance when performing work.
What you need to know about polycarbonate glue
To bond the surfaces of polycarbonate material, a one-component or two-component adhesive composition can be used. Single component adhesive can be used for bonding simple products, where there are no excessive stresses.
Examples of single-component adhesives include the following substances:
- Cosmofen;
- Acrifix 192;
- Silicone mastic;
- Vitralit 5634.
An important note when using one-component adhesive is the ability to bond different materials.
Rubber, metal, plastic can be successfully attached to polycarbonate. In this case, the connection turns out to be quite stable with respect to temperature changes, the effects of precipitation and other external manifestations.
Two-component adhesive compositions, as a rule, are used to connect parts in three-dimensional critical structures. Often a high degree of reliability and strength of the connection is required. The most well-known compositions among two-component adhesive compositions are presented below:
- Altuglas;
- Acrifix 190 or 200.
Among the possible varieties of two-component adhesive compositions, the following possible options are distinguished:
- acrylic foam compositions;
- hot setting adhesives;
- ethylene-venylacetane adhesives;
- polyurethane.
Before giving preference to one or another composition, you should carefully study the properties of the glue and the behavior of the surface after completion of work. For example, ordinary sealant, which is essentially silicone glue, has sufficient elasticity. This adhesive will ensure that the structures successfully withstand fluctuations under temperature influences.
The use of polyurethane glue must be justified. This type of glue has such advantages as good transparency and high strength. However, its application is quite complex and responsible. This may be a justified step if high strength requirements are imposed on the structure being built, and its optical functionality will also be in demand.
Polyurethane adhesive bonds well with polycarbonate on one side, and with metal (aluminum, various alloys), wood, and plastic on the other side. This type of glue is resistant to UV rays.
If it is necessary to glue small parts, where the strength of the connection does not play a decisive role, hot-curing glue, as well as ethylene vinyl acetate, are successfully used. To apply this composition, a special thermal gun is used.
Despite the fact that almost all adhesive compositions used have the ability to glue various materials in combinations, however, this should be clarified for each specific case.
Important notes for work
When starting to bond the surfaces of a structure, you should conscientiously perform some operations that will be decisive for the bonded surfaces in terms of durability and strength.
On initial stage The polycarbonate surface is treated with isopropyl alcohol to clean and degrease the surface. After this, glue is applied to the surface to be glued using a special gun. Instead of a gun, you can use a syringe or a homemade tube with a nozzle.
When choosing an adhesive, you should pay attention to the presence of any solvent in its composition.
In this case, even careful surface treatment and careful application of glue cannot guarantee the strength of the connection. In addition to leaving marks on the material being glued, the strength of the structure will be compromised. The adhesive composition may be subject to destruction under the influence of temperature or due to other external factors.
As a conclusion
When choosing an adhesive to complete the installation of a structure, an unexpected question arises as to the cost of the adhesive. And often the choice is made not according to the properties of a certain composition, but taking into account affordable price glue. Under no circumstances should this be done. An attempt to save a few hundred rubles when building a structure may result in the need for early maintenance, and possibly later reconstruction.
Prices for various adhesive compositions, as a rule, do not exceed 1 thousand rubles:
- silicone-based glue for a standard 310 g tube will not cost more than 900 rubles;
- hot-curing glue costs 500 rubles (excluding the cost of a special gun).
- a two-component composition can cost no more than 300 rubles.
As you can see, such costs cannot become critical for choosing a cheaper substitute. High strength and reliability finished design nevertheless, they should become decisive for the real owner. Unfortunately, prices have been rising rapidly lately, so it is better to find out current information about prices at retail outlets.
Polycarbonate - modern transparent sheet material, belonging to the group of amorphous thermoplastics. Thanks to high operational characteristics, durability and aesthetics appearance, it has become one of the most popular materials used both in construction and for interior decoration.
Polycarbonate is one of the most popular materials both in construction and for interior decoration.
Polycarbonate is widely used for:
- construction of greenhouses, winter gardens, greenhouses;
- creating canopies and canopies, light-transmitting roofing, finishing balconies;
- during the construction of pavilions and exhibition centers;
- for glazing industrial buildings(instead of regular glass);
- during the construction of office partitions, shower cabins;
- for illuminated and outdoor advertising.
Polycarbonate comes in two varieties: cast monolithic and cellular with a cellular structure.
Monolithic differs from its cellular “brother” in increased impact resistance and anti-vandal qualities.
Advantages and Disadvantages
The advantages of polycarbonate are:
Polycarbonate has high bending strength and also withstands temperature changes from -40 to +120°.
- excellent heat and sound insulation qualities;
- high fire resistance and fire safety - polycarbonate melts, but does not burn;
- high degree of bending strength of panels;
- light transmittance, in which polycarbonate is not inferior to glass;
- durability and resistance to adverse influences environment: rain, snow, which is especially important for greenhouses;
- resistance to temperature changes (from -40°C to +120°);
- unlike other plastics, polycarbonate has the ability to block ultraviolet radiation due to its UV-absorbing layer, which significantly extends the “life” of the coating;
- great variety color shades allows you to experiment with finishing;
- finally, the light weight of the sheets and the ease of their installation make polycarbonate ideal material to carry out repairs yourself.
The disadvantages include:
- enough high cost quality material, while the price for colored polycarbonate is 10-15% higher;
- poor resistance to mechanical damage.
Since polycarbonate is prone to thermal expansion, its sheets may become deformed when exposed to strong heat. This feature It is imperative to take into account when installing polycarbonate sheets, leaving thermal gaps of at least 2-5 mm between them.
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Tools and materials required for installation
The standard size of a polycarbonate panel is: width - 2 m, length - 6 or 12 m. Sheet thickness varies from 4 to 16 mm, non-standard - 32, 40, 50 mm. The thicker the sheet, the stronger it is, but the worse it bends, which must be taken into account when designing canopies, roofs, and arched greenhouses.
When constructing external structures, polycarbonate with a UV-absorbing layer is used. A special film is glued to this side, which is removed after installation, otherwise you can go on the wrong side. The side unprotected by the UV layer will quickly deteriorate during operation.
Tools required for installing panels:
- hacksaw for metal or wood, circular saw- for cutting polycarbonate sheets;
- wooden blocks or pipes for forming a frame for a greenhouse, canopy, partitions or other structures;
- aluminum or transparent polycarbonate profiles for connecting polycarbonate panels: detachable and one-piece, as well as corner, figured and ridge (for installation of roofs and canopies);
- self-tapping screws and bolts with special thermal washers;
- adhesives compatible with polycarbonate, hot-curing polyamide-based or silicone and ethylene vinyl acetate, as well as a glue gun;
- self-adhesive aluminum tape, perforated tape;
- screwdriver, hammer, screwdriver, nails, nail puller, drill.
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Installation technology of polycarbonate sheets
It is most convenient to attach the sheets to a ready-made structure frame using one-piece profiles. In this case, panels of the required size are first cut out, then profiles are attached to the frame using self-tapping screws and thermal washers. Polycarbonate panels are inserted into the grooves of the profiles. In order to increase the fastening strength, the grooves are additionally coated silicone sealant. In this case, the upper edges of the panels are hermetically sealed with aluminum tape, and the lower edges with perforated tape, then special end profiles are put on them. This is necessary to protect the polycarbonate honeycombs from moisture and dust.
Fastening with detachable profiles is carried out using nails to wooden plank or frame. If the profile is attached directly to the frame, then the fastening is carried out with self-tapping screws with thermal washers in increments of 30-50 cm. Pre-cut polycarbonate panels are placed in the base of the profile, and a split profile cover is placed on top, which is carefully tapped with a wooden mallet or rubber hammer. As in the case of one-piece profiles, the grooves are coated with sealant.
Farming has recently gained popularity again among rural residents. Technologies have made it possible to harvest several crops per year at once. This can be done using greenhouses. Plants growing in isolation external environment, bear fruit even in winter. This is facilitated by a special material – polycarbonate. They are upholstered metal frame greenhouses. Depending on the quality of the material, the structure can last up to 10 years.
Materials and blanks
Sometimes when low temperatures or due to mechanical stress, cracks and holes may appear in the polycarbonate. There is no way to avoid this. Sooner or later, wear of the coating will occur, which can lead to unpleasant consequences - loss of yield. If you have a similar problem, there are several ways to solve it. You can seal a hole in the polycarbonate of a greenhouse using the following materials:
- scotch;
- insulating tape;
- liquid nails;
- rubber glue and patch.
Also in some cases you will need a small piece of polycarbonate. Tools that will be useful are a knife, scissors, a brush, a hair dryer, a saw, and sandpaper.
Methods for temporarily sealing holes
- Oblong cracks can be glued with regular tape. On the surface of the greenhouse, where a crack or small gap is noticed, formed during the process of cracking of the material under the influence of temperature changes and other natural phenomena, apply plastic tape (adhesive tape) and iron it thoroughly. After this, you should try to heat the edges of the tape so that they fit as tightly as possible and do not peel off under the influence of moisture. You can heat it up using an ordinary hairdryer, which will make the task much easier, and you will easily be able to glue the surfaces together.
Such repairs give temporary results, so it is natural that there are some shortcomings. Cons this method sealing cracks is due to the instability of this material to weather conditions. In the future, the section will need to be replaced or better insulated in another way. The photo shows the moment when you have to replace an entire sheet.
- Small holes in polycarbonate can be sealed with insulating tape. It is much more resistant to climatic conditions and does not come off when the adhesive dries out under the influence of the sun. This will help delay the destruction of the coating for some time. However, this material will not be airtight if it is periodically exposed to moisture. Therefore, during the rainy season, it is better not to try to install a temporary duct tape splint on the roof of the greenhouse.
Major renovation
- Liquid nails can be used to seal not only holes in the material, but also to process joints. This universal substance is similar to plasticine. When dry, it becomes hard and strong. Viscous material will last much longer than others. Such repairs will allow you not to worry about the tightness of the applied splint.
- More serious damage can be removed by applying a patch made of polycarbonate or film. A piece is cut out the right size and shape and is attached to the wall of the greenhouse using rubber adhesive. In order to seal the surfaces as tightly as possible, they should be treated with sandpaper. When the patch and the area around the hole are well sanded, they are treated with glue.
- One more affordable option is an adhesive film. It can be purchased at any hardware store. It is excellent for gluing large surfaces, does not tear, and does not change in frost.
Under no circumstances should you try to seal the damage by melting polycarbonate. The substances it consists of are very toxic and can cause poisoning. Heating can also cause a fire. The video shows the most best options sealing cracks.
