Bonding PlasTeak

[noelH]

Stern end of the PlasTEAK trim needs repair and attention.  Starboard side has had or developed a crack on one side. Port side cracked develop on both sides of the screw by the end of last season. Noticed a slight crack on the port side a couple seasons ago. Same location.  Right where the last screw is attached. Didn't take much to totally crack off the port side today while getting Vela ready for the season.

PlasTEAK websites notes "nothing sticks", "cannot be glued..." But then they sell an adhesive to bond the deck and flooring products.  Comes in a glue "sausage". SDS sheet notes it is Lonseal 2 part epoxy.  Plan is lay down a thin coat of bedding on the broken off side and just try Loctite Plastic Bonder or a similar product applied to the break and squeezed into the crack.  Bad idea? 

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[noelH]

Update.  Internet searching.  PlasTEAK is a "low energy" plastic.  Basically like M to HDPE. So far, the only products I can find that don't require some sort of surface treatment are PermaBond TA4611 and TA4631.  "Structural acrylic polyolefin bonders".

[Chris Muthig]

What about plastic welding it back together...  break it off the rest of the way, heat it up with a torch, press it back together, and sand off the squeeze out? 

[Riley Smith]

Well, maybe the situation is trying to tell you that material isn't the best application for THAT place. Too, plastic will change it's properties with exposure to light. Direct sunlight is much more degrading. It's always something.

[noelH]

Spent the big $$s for PermaBond TA4611.  Dries clear v. TA4631 dries white.  Both are the lower viscosity versions of TA46xx for smaller gaps.  Product from GB.

The bad. USA sellers are a bit steep in price and shipping was high for a "safe" item. 

The good.  Fixture time is 10-16 minutes. 6-8hrs to reach working strength of >1200 psi.  At the end of fixture time the bond was solid. You are suppose to initial mate the broken parts, then pull apart and re-mate before clamping if needed. There was moderate adhesion when I pulling apart to re-mate. After second mating of the broken off PlasTeak it felt like permanent.  Time will tell. The crack line on the broken off port side is clearly visible. The starboard side crack is just a fine line.  The reviews noted bond not failing before substrate failed. If ever requiring removal of the trim it will probably not be a simple process of removing the plugs and screws. Cut and grind time.

Only needed the 30 ml kit, but the cost for the 50ml wasn't much more and shipping was the same high fee.  But with the 50ml you got a free dispensing tip which I didn't need, a reusable plunger, and a popsicle stick along with a chunk of plastic to mix the glue's 2 parts using the stick:).