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Identifying Plastics for Fabrication and Repair

2/15/2019

 
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It's important to identify the plastic you're welding as only like plastics can be joined. The simplest way is by performing a burn test.  
Take a small sliver or shaving of the material to be welded and light it with a flame, observe and smell the smoke. Most commonly: 
  • For PVC: blackish smoke and acrid smell
  • For Polyethylene (PE): no smoke, the melted material drips like candle wax and smells of wax
  • For Polypropylene (PP): no smoke, the melted material drips like candle wax and smells of burnt oil
  • For Polyamide (PA): no smoke, melted material pulls to form a thread and smells of burnt horn
  • For Polycarbonate (PC): yellowish sooty smoke, sweet smell
  • For ABS: blackish smoke, sooty flakes, sweet smell

​See our Plastics Identification Flow Chart for an expanded listing of plastics and their properties. ​

Recommended Further Reading

  • Choosing the Right Tool for your next Plastic Welding Project
  • ​Find the Correct Welding Temperature for your Project

Originally published: 9/19/2014

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  • Home
  • Equipment Supply
    • Flooring
    • Geomembrane
    • Industrial Fabrics
    • Manufacturing
    • Plastic Fabrication
    • Roofing >
      • Distributors
  • Engineering Services
    • Engineering Services
    • Cosmetics
    • Deflashing Systems
    • Drying Bottles & Cans
    • Heat Systems
    • Shrinking Labels
  • Repair
    • Repair Service
    • Tech Tips
  • Resources
    • Articles
    • Case Studies
    • Engineering Information
    • Whitepapers
  • About
    • About Us
    • Technology Providers
  • Contact