How to Bond Acrylic Plastic

To bond acrylic plastic, you need to use a specialized chemical bonding agent. The bonding agent is not glue, but a solvent that loosens the molecular bonds of the acrylic sheet. When two pieces of acrylic sheet are treated with a chemical bonding agent and pressed together, the molecules of both pieces of acrylic interweave and create a strong waterproof connection. The way you apply the bonding agent will have a direct effect on the strength of the final acrylic joint.

Things You'll Need

Pieces of acrylic plastic
Work table
Safety glasses
Latex gloves
Flat metal pan
Chemical bonding agent
Clean dry rags
Corner clamps

Instructions

- 1
  Place the pieces of acrylic on the work table.
- 2
  Put on your safety glasses and latex gloves.
- 3
  Set the flat metal pan on the work table and fill the pan deep with the chemical bonding agent. The depth of the bonding agent in the metal pan needs to be as deep as the acrylic pieces are thick.
- 4
  Wipe the surfaces of the acrylic pieces with a clean dry rag.
- 5
  Dip and hold the ends of the acrylic pieces that are to be bonded together in the chemical bonding agent-filled pan for two to five minutes.
- 6
  Pull the softened ends of the acrylic sheet out of the chemical bonding agent and allow the excess bonding agent to drip back into the flat metal pan.
- 7
  Stand the pieces of acrylic sheet with the softened ends standing vertically and facing each other.
- 8
  Press the two pieces of acrylic together and hold them in place for 30 seconds.
- 9
  Place the bonded but still-soft corner into the corner clamp.
- 10
  Turn the handle of the corner clamp to secure the two pieces of acrylic. Allow the acrylic sheets to remain secured in the corner clamp for the time specified by the bonding agent application instructions.
- 11
  Release the corner clamp when the acrylic pieces are bonded and hardened.