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Suggestions for Bonding ABS to ASA

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  • Member since
    June 2023
  • 1 posts
Suggestions for Bonding ABS to ASA
Posted by CapsFanBen on Saturday, June 10, 2023 8:47 AM

The title says it all. I am working with curved surfaces, so I will need a glue/solvent that isn't too thin, as to avoid it running.

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Saturday, June 17, 2023 11:26 AM

This is the stuff that has worked well for me.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,878 posts
Posted by maxman on Saturday, June 17, 2023 1:33 PM

Since I didn't know what ASA is, I had to google it.

Seems there is a lot of information out there on the subject, some of which might stick.

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • 21,669 posts
Posted by Overmod on Saturday, June 17, 2023 1:36 PM

If I remember correctly, a furan-based solvent with chips of suitable plastic dissolved in it produces an 'expedient' thickened adhesive for this kind of purpose.  You'd use a wire applicator or toothpick to apply it, and watch out for 'stringing' if the solvent evaporates a bit too quickly while working.

Technically, you could use methylene chloride (aka old-school paint stripper) but I hate that stuff with a passion and won't recommend it even in tiny quantities with what you might think is adequate ventilation and PPE.

I see references to using straight acetone, and to dissolving ASA instead of ABS or model-kit 'styrene' sprue to make the 'adhesive', but there are caveats to that stuff too.  

The one thing to avoid is cyanoacrylate 'super glue' -- supposedly a joint bonding ABS to ASA with it is susceptible to stress cracking as it ages.

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