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STRONG adhesives for polycarbonate to Correx
Hi,
I have some A2 sized polycarbonate sheets – digitally printed on the underside. These needs to be glued onto a correx board – for outdoor use, perhaps required for about 4 months service, in a location that could suffer severe weather.
Unfortunately, because the polycarbonate has a relief pattern in it, I’m expecting the contact area between the polycarbonate and the correx to be only about 30% of the actual surface area.
Hmmm, anyone got any ideas where I can start? Please?
Thanks
Dave -
5 Replies
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Hi Dave, welcome to our little haven.
I would suggest a good quality clear silicon adhesive. it will fill all the gaps.
Peter
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Thanks for the welcome (and advice) Peter…. I’d had a look around the site before, and I’ve seen your photograph so often, I feel like I know you already!
As a metallurgist, I’m out of my field of expertise here… and I’d really appreciate a bit of help, if you (or anyone else) can… so three questions about clear silicon adhesives…
1 do they remain clear when set?
2 are they inert at the polycarbonate / ink / correx interface?
3 any brand names? Available in B&Q or do I need a specialist stockist?(I managed to sneak a 4th question in, without you realising it!
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Why not coat/laminate the printed side with vinyl in the same colour as the correx. (White?) Then it won’t matter a jot what you use to stick them together as you won’t see the adhesive, and it can’t affect the inks. Since it’s only got to last a few months, a budget vinyl could be used as the backing, and contact adhesive, or tape that sticks to polyprop.
The adhesive I’m currently favouring is ‘Serious Stuff’ by Evostick – black tubes, found near the “No Nails” etc, but far, far superior. White, flexible adhesive, totally waterproof – (stays on you clothes forever). Even a couple of smears will stick most things together. Been mounting wall panels & neon stand-offs on a steel sculpture recently (adhesive flexibility is your friend 😀 ) – works a treat.
If you DO go the way of clear silicone – I use SANITARY grade – it’s much sticker than normal contractors stuff for some reason. But I don’t know how well silicone sticks to polyproylene (correx).
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Any good brand of clear silicone should remain clear. I get mine from a double glazing/plastics supplier, the type I buy is the same stuff used for sticking aquariums together, so it is weather/waterproof, I cant remember the make I use off hand, but will take a look at a tube tomorrow if needed, and let you know…. By the way for stuff in tubes I always think B and Q are far dearer than trade suppliers.
Peter
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Thanks for your help – here’s a bit of feedback in case anyone reads this post in future.
Serious Stuff seemed to work in early trials – I rang the maker’s technical help line – who told me this is totally different from the silcone polycarbonate adhesives that were also suggested. They said serious stuff is an MS polymer (whatever that is!) which is stronger but they couldn’t make it so that it dries clear. One suggestion they had was to use their Serious Stuff (which dries white) to do most of the sticking – but near the edges, where I want clarity, to use a clear PURPOSE DESIGNED silicone adhesive. They said that a lot of silicones are not compatible with polycarbonate but, for instance, Wickes have a product called something like polycarbonate silicone adhesive / sealant, used for joining and sealing their range of polycarbonate roof products. There is another product called something like Evostik frameseal (maybe the stuff Peter’s describing?) They say this dries fairly clear – better described as translucent. Anyway – I’m going to try these silicone products next – and will feedback again if (a) there’s anything worth saying and (b) if I remember !
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