Instructions for choosing and using cold welding for plastic

Description and distinctive features

Liquid welding for plastic is a polymer adhesive composition that creates a strong connection between parts made of different or identical materials. The main feature is the absence of high temperature exposure.

The chemical properties of cold welding contribute to the bonding of plastics. The product penetrates the pores of the material, hardens, forming a uniform joint.

The adhesive contains the following components:

• epoxy resins;
• metal fillers;
• amine resins;
• mineral supplements.

The product is used not only when working with plastic. It connects parts made of wood, metal, and various alloys. Universal products are used for any material; highly specialized products are used in accordance with their intended purpose.

How to choose?

1. Decide on the purpose. The welding must be appropriate for the material being exposed. Otherwise problems may arise. As a last resort, it is possible to use glue with a metal core.
2. Permissible temperatures. If the part is exposed to prolonged heat or is under an open flame, it is necessary to purchase appropriate compounds.
3. How quickly it dries. If there is a need for urgent repairs, it is recommended to have 2 types on hand. First use welding and allow it to dry for an hour. This will help solve the problem. But since the layer does not have high strength, apply a long-drying compound (24 hours) on top.
4. How to remove. To do this, use solvents or acetylene. The liquid is carefully treated with the frozen substance and lifted by the edge. This can damage the finish, especially wood and glass. Therefore, it is necessary to be extremely careful when using cold welding.

Where is the method used?

Almost all plastic items can be joined or repaired using the cold method.

You can use the product to repair household appliances and eliminate defects in the following products:

• polymer elements of the car (bumpers, racks);
• fishing tackle, tourist equipment;
• handles and other plastic furniture elements;
• pipelines made of simple or heat-resistant plastic;
• dishes, garden tools, household supplies.

Cold welding is often used in car repairs.

Expert advice

There are a number of useful recommendations that will help you complete the job with greater accuracy and efficiency:

• when repairing pipes and pipeline elements, you need to buy only a moisture-resistant composition, taking into account constant contact with liquid;
• cold welding does not stick well and adheres less well to a wet surface, so the base must be thoroughly dried before starting work;
• if you have to urgently repair a leak in a plastic pipe, the patch needs to be changed later - adhesion will not be sufficient;
• To harden the mass faster, you can use a hairdryer with warm air;
• when the instructions do not indicate that the welding can withstand regular vibration, it is worth additionally attaching a pad to the junction of moving elements;
• You should only buy products from trusted manufacturers who have been on the market for a long time;
• There is no need to use material that has expired; its quality has been reduced.

Types of cold welding

The products are liquid or plasticine-like. Based on their composition, they are divided into one- and two-component ones.

Dry method

The adhesive is supplied in the form of a rod, the outer part of which consists of a hardener, the core is made of epoxy resin. A piece of sufficient volume is separated from the tube to cover the surfaces being repaired. After this, the dry material is rubbed with your fingers until a thick, soft mass is formed. Uniformity is controlled by paying attention to the color of the product.

Rod cold welding in the form of a pencil.

Liquid products

Such cold welding means for plastic are divided into 2 types:

1. Two-component compositions. Filler and resin are supplied in separate bottles. The ingredients are mixed in equal quantities until a homogeneous liquid mass is formed.
2. Single-component products. They are completely ready for use and resemble regular office glue. The product belongs to the universal category. It is most often used in domestic conditions. The one-component composition is capable of connecting any types of plastic.

We recommend reading: Do-it-yourself cold and hot welding of linoleum

One-component cold welding.

Technical characteristics of various manufacturers

Let's look at the list of products that are popular in the largest cities of Russia - Moscow and St. Petersburg:

1. ABRO Thermometal TM-185 . Country of origin: USA. One-component material for sealing cracks and holes in steel and iron parts. Suitable for use in the repair of automotive components, household heating appliances, and industrial equipment. Contains anti-corrosion additives. It is resistant to petroleum products. Withstands temperatures up to 1316 Cº. Full polymerization time is 24 hours. The recommended layer thickness is 6 mm.
2. Adhesive “cold welding” DIAMOND “HEAT RESISTANT” . Product made in Russia. Used to connect various surfaces: ferrous metal, stainless steel, plastic, glass, ceramics, wood. Most effective for repairing batteries, heating radiators and various pipelines. Can be used on wet or oily surfaces. Heat resistance up to 300 Cº. Complete polymerization time – 24 hours. Tear strength – 120 kg/cm².

The above products, among others, can be purchased in the Leroy Merlin network of construction hypermarkets.

Safety at work

According to the instructions for use, when using liquid welding, the following rules are observed:

1. Avoid contact of the product with the skin. It is recommended to work in a special suit and gloves. In case of accidental contact with glue, the skin is thoroughly washed with water and, if necessary, consult a doctor.
2. The connection of plastic parts is carried out in a well-ventilated area. To protect the respiratory system, wear a respirator.
3. Do not use glue for repairing products in contact with food and drinking water.
4. When working, do not leave the product in places exposed to direct sunlight.
5. The dried mass is heated near the battery for 30 minutes.

The finished weld does not emit toxic fumes, so the repaired product can be used for household purposes.

Choice for plastic

The main parameters that you need to pay attention to when choosing are:

• connection strength;
• working temperature;
• setting and polymerization time.

Thus, if you are choosing an adhesive for plumbing work: you are going to repair a hot water connector or are deciding how to seal a leak in a heating pipe, you should choose a high-temperature adhesive, but for repairing drinking water systems, almost any universal product will do.

If the future connection will be subject to external deformations, pay special attention to the strength of the connection . As practice shows, 400-450 kg/cm² is an indicator that can withstand most loads.

When choosing an emergency repair product, choose a fast-drying adhesive. The average drying parameter varies between 5-8 minutes.

Choice of composition and best brands

When purchasing a material, pay attention to the performance characteristics. The welded joint must withstand heat and mechanical stress. For large volumes of work, choose durable and quickly setting types of glue.

Cold welding for plastic is subject to less stringent requirements than means for repairing metal products.

The compositions of the following brands are considered the best:

1. Poxipol. A universal two-component adhesive is used to join parts made of different materials. The product is supplied in 2 tubes placed in a cardboard box. It can be used to repair structures located on the street. Work at negative temperatures is allowed. In this case, the hardening time increases. Cold welding does not spread or wrinkle. It does not contain solvents, so it does not pose a danger to humans.
2. Tytan. The welding agent consists of epoxy resin reinforced with plasticizers and hardeners. Hardening time does not exceed 30 minutes. You can start using the part in an hour. Operating temperature range – -60…+130 °C. Titanium welding is used in the repair of technical equipment, mechanisms and structures used at high temperatures.
3. Mastix waterproof glue. The multicomponent product contains epoxy polymers, fillers, plasticizers, and hardeners. When spreading the glue in a thin layer, the setting time is 7 minutes. Operating temperature range – -60…+200 °C. Welding firmly connects not only plastic but also metal parts.

Cold welding grades.

Car cooling system radiator repair.

A car cooler is a heat exchange device that is very sensitive to mechanical influences. It happens that when driving at high speed, a pebble or other hard object stuck in its mesh will lead to the formation of a leak. And this already requires urgent repairs. By cold welding it is quite possible to eliminate the leak and at least temporarily restore the functionality of the cooler itself.

The recommended operating procedure is as follows:

The first thing to do is to choose (buy and have in the glove compartment of the car a type of “cold welding” suitable for such repairs. It must have good adhesion to the metal and withstand high temperatures. The best option would be to purchase a special composition specifically designed for repairing heating radiators, but if they are not available for sale, you should choose a heat-resistant option for metal. If “cold welding” does not have these properties, then when heated, the repair pad will simply melt or come off, that is, all the work done will be in vain.

The next step is to determine the exact location of the leak. It is possible that for this you will have to dismantle the radiator. It should be noted that this stage sometimes becomes the most difficult in the entire radiator repair process.

Liquid - antifreeze or water - has been drained from the vehicle's cooling system. If the search for a hole or crack is preceded by disassembling the radiator, then, of course, the coolant is drained before disassembling. Removing a clogged part of the radiator grille

You may need to remove part of the radiator grille to locate the hole in the pipe and also repair it.

It is recommended to dry the radiator, for example, with a stream of warm air. But if you purchase cold welding, which can be applied to a wet surface, then drying the entire structure is not necessary, although it is still desirable.

Having found a hole in order to free up space around it, it is recommended to sand the surface on which the “cold welding” will be applied, then clean it of any abrasive residue and degrease it with white spirit, acetone or gasoline. This procedure is necessary to obtain high adhesion of the repair mixture to the metal. Then you can move on to working with glue.

You need to act according to the instructions usually found on the cold seal packaging. The process of preparing a rigid two-component “cold welding” version for work.

Before starting work, it is recommended to wet your hands with water - this will help the glue stick to them less.

The required amount of mass is cut out from the glue stick with a knife. The cut fragment is vigorously kneaded with your fingers until elasticity and complete homogeneity are achieved. Since the cold-welded components vary in color, care must be taken to ensure that the shade of the mixed mass is also perfectly uniform. Plasticity, homogeneity and clearly visible heating of the mixed mass are a sign that the glue is ready for the next operation.

If a two-component liquid “cold welding” option is chosen for repairs, then it is necessary to take a certain amount of the composition from the tubes and mix well in a small container or even on some surfaces. The ingredients are not yet so liquid that they start to run off.

The next step is to apply glue to the damaged area. All stages of work should be carried out without wasting time, since after mixing, some adhesives quickly begin to enter the polymerization stage. The setting time of the material must be found out in advance from its passport characteristics.

Complete drying and readiness of the repaired product for use can occur in a period from an hour to a day. The time to achieve such readiness may depend on several factors - the temperature at which the work was carried out, the thickness of the applied layer, as well as the characteristics of the “cold welding” itself.

It should be noted that, according to reviews from car owners, sometimes such repairs of cooling system radiators turn out to be more effective than argon welding or “classic” soldering.

A damaged fuel tank is repaired in the same way. It’s even simpler here, because most often you need to process an open surface, without a metal mesh. True, precautions when working with the tank are much stricter due to its increased flammability. After drying, the adhesive “patch” can be further treated with abrasives and then coated with the same anti-corrosion paint that was used to cover the rest of the surface of the tank.

Advantages and disadvantages

The main positive quality of the cold method is the ability to use it to work with any plastic products. There is no need to use welding machines or auxiliary devices for gluing.

The parts do not require complex preliminary preparation.

Other benefits of adhesives include:

1. Possibility of joining elements of complex structures. The adhesive can be used in fire and explosive conditions.
2. Increased tightness of seams. There are no leaks observed when welding pipes.
3. Minimum amount of plastic waste.
4. Affordable price, wide range of products.
5. Minimum gluing time.
6. Possibility of use for welding parts subject to vibration loads, rupture, and shear. This is due to the increased elasticity of the glue.
7. Water resistance. Almost all compositions have this quality.
8. Possibility of use at extreme temperatures. Specialized products can withstand heating up to +1000 °C.

We recommend reading: How to use flux for welding

The disadvantage is the possibility of deformation of the connection under high pressure.

Areas of application of such compositions.

Everything is simple here - “cold welding” is one way or another suitable for repairing products or gluing parts used in almost any field.

The adhesive is used to bond and seal hard products or flexible coverings that are permanently placed on a durable base. Cold-welded materials can be divided into several groups:

Metals - virtually unlimited.

It is used to produce various polymers, as well as combined materials, such as linoleum or carpet. The parts of these coatings can be connected to each other from other materials, and also attached to the base.

For products made of polyethylene, “cold welding” is not used.

Glass, ceramics and porcelain can be joined with this glue in various combinations without restrictions. That is, the materials mentioned are located among themselves, as well as products having different structural structures.

As can be seen from the list presented, “cold welding” can be used in various fields, especially since there are compositions that are resistant to heat and humidity. In addition, the adhesive used to seal product joints can withstand high pressure work. For example, “cold welding” is used to connect and repair water and sewer pipes, as well as various parts and assemblies in the automotive industry. With this glue you can quickly and even in the most unfavorable conditions repair damage such as fragments in the body, holes in the radiator, gas tank, leaking pipes, etc.

In everyday life, “cold welding” is used to repair furniture, glassware and even construction tools, as well as other household goods.

Instructions for use

The method of application depends on the type of adhesive.

Liquid glue

To weld plastic items using this method, follow these steps:

1. Prepare the surfaces. They are cleaned of dust and contaminants and degreased. Without removing fat, it will not be possible to properly glue the parts together. If necessary, clean the plastic with sandpaper.
2. Mix the resin and hardener. The volume of the finished composition must correspond to the area of ​​the defect or future weld.
3. Apply the product to the parts being processed. Connect the elements with a tourniquet, rubber band or clamp.
4. Press the surfaces firmly against each other. Wait the time specified in the instructions. They begin the final processing of the structure - drilling, threading, painting.

The two components are mixed together immediately before use.

Dry cold welding

In this case, perform the following actions:

• clean and degrease surfaces using standard methods;
• mix the solid components of the product (you need to work in thick rubber gloves moistened with water);
• wait until the color of the mass changes to brown;
• distribute the composition over the welded joint;
• wait until the adhesive hardens.

Component Shape

Cold welding differs in the degree of thickness: paste-like and liquid compositions are produced.

• Paste-like is a one-component substance, ready for use. In appearance it resembles children's plasticine.
• Liquid welding for metal is produced in special containers. It is a two-component adhesive that must be mixed before use.

Two-component solutions have the advantage of a long shelf life , while one-component glue must be used after opening the package.

Separately about specific cases

In some situations, when using liquid welding, additional steps are required.

PVC pipes

Damage to plastic elements of a water supply or heating system is not uncommon. To quickly eliminate a leak, use the cold welding method.

Repairs are performed as follows:

1. Prepare the surface for processing. Remove particles of moisture, dust and dirt.
2. The amount of edge deviation is calculated. For a pipe with a diameter of 4 cm, this parameter should not exceed 2 mm.
3. Cover the defect with a dry compound. Apply a fixing tourniquet to the connection. If all actions are performed correctly, the leak will disappear.

This measure is temporary; it only postpones the procedure for replacing the damaged element with a new pipe.

Preparing the surface for welding.

Floor linoleum

To glue sheets of this material, perform the following steps:

1. Lay the elements overlapping on the floor. Using a metal ruler and a construction knife, cut through both sheets. If the overlap width is 10 cm, the cut line should be 5 cm away from the edge.
2. Remove scraps of canvas. There should be an even joint.
3. The canvases are folded back. If the material is not secured, the joint is glued with double-sided tape. It is recommended to work with a partner during these stages. First, the tape is glued to the floor and removed from the protective film. Linoleum is laid on top. Roll the joint with a roller.
4. Wipe and dry the areas of linoleum adjacent to the joint. Tape the joint with masking tape. It is also rolled in with a roller. If the preparatory steps are carried out correctly, liquid welding does not fall on the surface of the floor covering.
5. Cut the masking tape along the connection line. This will allow you to carefully apply liquid welding to the joint.
6. Shake the bottle with the welding agent and clean the tip of any dirt.
7. Distribute the glue. To do this, the tip is inserted into the gap between the blades and pressed with a finger. The other hand squeezes the tube. Slowly guide the tube along the joint. The composition should not come into contact with unprotected areas of the floor covering. If this happens, wait until the product dries and then clean it off with a knife.
8. After 15-20 minutes, remove the masking tape. It is recommended to do this at an acute angle. After completing all the steps, a thin invisible seam is formed.

We recommend reading: How to use Poxipol glue

When using thick compositions of type C, you can avoid applying masking tape.

Types and manufacturers

Typically, cold welding is used when it is not financially feasible to use the hot method or it is difficult. Such situations occur when a minimal defect appears, damage to a dimensional product, or the risk of serious internal stresses in the pipe.

The following types of products can be used for repairs:

• universal – used for gluing metal, plastic, stone, wood, glass, concrete and most other materials;
• automotive - if the material indicates that it can withstand high temperatures, then it is allowed to be used in pipe repair;
• for plastic - usually the heat resistance of such products reaches +260 degrees and above, so they are also suitable for work.

Products marked “for wood” or “for plumbing” are not suitable. They, as a rule, are not heat-resistant, and the quality of adhesion will be lower. It is better to find a specific welding method for working on metal or plastic with a clear indication of the temperature conditions. There are even super waterproof products for working underwater, which can also be used for cold welding.

Domestic formulations are cheaper than imported ones, but are not inferior in quality to the latter. Just don’t take the cheapest welding, it will certainly produce a low quality weld. The most popular means are:

1. Hi-Gear. A universal adhesive, it is often purchased by car owners to seal elements subject to heavy loads. This glue will help eliminate any leaks in the heating system.
2. "Titanium". Suitable for any materials, does not deteriorate from exposure to water and high temperatures.

ABRO, Polymet, Alma, Wurth Liquid, Permatex Cold Weld weldings are also in demand.

Recommendations from professionals

When working with cold welding, consider the following tips:

1. Heating the parts being glued increases the strength of the resulting seam. The hardening time at elevated temperatures decreases, so be careful and careful when working. A hair dryer cannot be used for heating.
2. If the elements being welded are subject to vibration loads, the cold welding method will be ineffective. The adhesive composition is not designed for use in such conditions. In this case, a universal remedy is replaced with a highly specialized one.
3. The welded joint does not always have high aesthetic qualities. When assembling decorative structures, other welding methods are used.

The adhesive can be applied to damp surfaces. Special formulations are designed for this.

How to use welding

When performing work, you must follow the instructions for cold welding for plastic. It provides the proportions for mixing the base with hardeners. The quality of adhesion depends on proper mixing.

The mixture should be applied to a thoroughly cleaned surface. Step by step use:

• Mixing resin with components. The amount of kneaded mass should cover the glued area.
• Carry out a thorough warm-up of the mass.

Kneading is carried out using moistened, thick rubber gloves.

• When the mass has acquired a brown tint, it is applied to the area to be glued.
• The elements are connected and fixed.
• After 4 minutes setting will occur, after 15 minutes it will be firmly attached.

Repairing cast iron and other types of radiators

Working with radiators is similar to sealing defects on pipes. The surface is cleaned and degreased. You can use alcohol for this purpose, applying it with a cotton swab. Next, take a ball of resin approximately 2 cm in diameter, knead it, mixing the components. Press the resin to the damaged area, smooth it out, and hold it with a rag or clamp.

Usually 30-40 minutes are enough for polymerization, but it is better to use the battery after a day, not earlier. Naturally, the water supply must be turned off before repairs. If you need to remove a fistula, you need to take fiberglass and a liquid solution, wrap the area and seal it securely.

Cold welding is an excellent temporary measure until the end of the heating season. It will help eliminate pipe or radiator leaks quickly and without hassle!