Posts Tagged ‘melted’

Can i get solvent-melted polystyrene from model kits to cure as hard as before I melted it?

Question by Fungyi: Can i get solvent-melted polystyrene from model kits to cure as hard as before I melted it?
I’ve been making some plastic coatings for wood by dissolving polystyrene (from plastic model kits) into paint thinner in room temperature. So far, i’ve brushed a number of layers throughout one week to accumulate a solidified film, thickness of about .25 millimeters. However, i noticed that my melted polystyrene is no where as hard (resistence to deformation/tensile strength) as before i melted it…

Do solvents degrade a plastic by ~entering~ it? In my case, do the solvents EVER fully evaporate? Even if i bake it, will my solvent-melted plastic ever be as strong as the injection-molded version?

…i scrapped some old projects with acrylic lacquer paints on it painted YEARS ago, & i could still dent the film with just my FINGER NAILS. On the other hand, the same kind of paint required a KNIFE to scrap off its bottle after only months of opening it. What’s the deal?

ps please don’t suggest to use something other than polystyrene; i’m interested in polystyrene only
the outcome i’m looking for is simply the hardest coating i can get to cover wood

Best answer:

Answer by David W
the polystyrene has oil in it ant the solvent dilluted it, at where I work we vacuum form the piece on the wood, taking a sheet of styrene, heating to wave point, and lowering onto the mold all in one action, what outcome are you looking for??

Give your answer to this question below!

Are virgin PVC pellets toxic when melted in an injection molder?

Question by qcfx2a: Are virgin PVC pellets toxic when melted in an injection molder?
I keep seeing resources that the manufacturing of PVC plastic is toxic, but I can’t find any info on virgin PVC pellets and if melting them in an injection molder is or isn’t toxic.

Best answer:

Answer by zircalium
No. PVC manufacturing involves the toxic vinyl chloride gas. However, PVC plastic should contain very little of the monomer, not enough to be hazardous.

Hazardous fumes will be released if the PVC starts to burn, so don’t let the temperature get too high.

What do you think? Answer below!