Adhesive

Thermoplastic materials including nylon, polyethylene, acetal, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, cellulose nitrate, and cellulose acetate are easily dissolved by solvents and softened by heat. These limitations restrict the use of adhesives with such materials, and solvent or heat welding may prove better bonding alternatives for adhering these materials.

Solvent cements can frequently be used to bond thermoplastics together. These cements combine a solvent with a base material that is the same as the thermo-plastic to be adhered. In view of environmental considerations, however, many adhesives manufacturers are now reformulating their solvent-based adhesives. General purpose adhesives such as cellulosics, vinyls, rubber cements, and epoxies have also been used successfully with thermoplastics.

Thermosetting plastics, including phenolics, epoxies, and alkyds, are easily bonded with epoxy-based adhesives, neoprene, nitrile rubber, and polyester-based cements. These adhesives have been used to bond both thermosets and thermoplastics to other materials, including ceramics, fabric, wood, and metal.