Plastic Pointers - Volume 15

New PlastiFix Kit is Breakthrough in Rigid Plastic Repair Technology

Urethane Supply Company is proud to announce the availability of the PlastiFix Complete Rigid Plastic Repair Kit, a revolutionary new adhesive kit for the repair of rigid plastics. PlastiFix uses a totally unique thermoset methacrylate adhesive technology to make repairing virtually any rigid plastic a breeze.

The heart of the PlastiFix Rigid Plastic Repair Kit is the PlastiFix powder and liquid. When these components are combined, they form a rigid crosslinked plastic structure in about 10 minutes.

The powder and liquid are combined using an application needle to ensure complete saturation of the powder by the liquid. The needle application method also allows for a very precise application of the material. Very little adhesive is wasted.

Recreate Missing Tabs with the FlexMold Molding Bar

One of the most unique features of the PlastiFix Rigid Plastic Repair Kit is the FlexMold Molding Bar. The FlexMold bar is made from a special material that softens when heated.

You can heat the FlexMold bar in hot water for a few minutes, then shape the softened bar around a pattern to form a mold. Once the FlexMold cools down, you can peel it off and you'll have a perfect impression of what you want to create.

The mold is then filled with the PlastiFix powder/liquid mixture. The PlastiFix adhesive will not stick to the FlexMold molding bar. Once the adhesive cures, you can peel off the FlexMold material to reveal your repaired part. Best of all, the FlexMold material can be reheated and reused over and over.

Sticks to Virtually Any Rigid Plastic

The PlastiFix adhesive will stick to virtually any rigid plastic including ABS, polycarbonate, nylon. PET, PVC, SMC, Xenoy, Pulse, GTX, urethane, and fiberglass.

The only types of plastic that PlastiFix will not repair are polyolefinic plastics like polyethylene, polypropylene, and TPO. Urethane Supply's FiberFlex welding rod is ideally suited to repairing these types of plastic.

PlastiFix repairs cracks, gouges, and gaps in rigid plastic parts.	Replace tabs that have completely broken off be "recasting" the missing piece with PlastiFix.	Fix stripped threads by drilling out the hole, lubricating the screw, then applying PlastiFix to the screw.

Reinforce Repairs with Fiberglass Cloth

PlastiFix repairs can be made even more robust by reinforcing them with fiberglass cloth. A properly designed and reinforced repair can actually be stronger than the original part.

Repair Stripped Threads

PlastiFix may even be used to repair stripped threads in plastic parts. The hole is first drilled slightly oversized to allow room for the adhesive. The screw is coated first with a lubricant then with the PlastiFix powder/liquid mixture. The screw is then simply inserted into the hole while the adhesive is wet. After allowing 15 to 20 minutes for the adhesive to achieve a full cure, simply unscrew the bolt to reveal your repaired threads.

Check out PlastiFix at NACE

If you're going to be at NACE in Orlando December 8-10, please stop by Booth 3253 for a live demonstration of PlastiFix.

Molded-in-color TPO Bumpers

The front and rear bumper fascias of the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser are molded of an engineered polyolefin called SEQUEL 1440, designed by Solvay Engineered Polymers especially for use in large, thin-wall applications.

These bumper fascias are the first molded-in-color metallic, partially painted, thin wall application in the automotive industry, according to Solvay. The material is color-matched in a dark neutral shade that incorporates a proprietary metal-flake technology to produce its unique appearance. The parts are then molded and partially painted. The gray metallic material is left unpainted in an area that evokes the chromed steel bumpers of pre-war automobiles.

-Source: Automotive Engineering International, August 2000

Urethane Supply Makes Investment in Improved Extrusion Equipment

Urethane Supply recently shut down its extrusion line for two months to completely refurbish its plastic welding rod extrusion line. The puller and cutter were completely overhauled. Most importantly, the extruder's screw and barrel were replaced with new components.

The screw is a new design that improves mixing. As a result, we are now able to achieve much better uniformity and consistency of our Uni-Weld Ribbon and FiberFlex, especially the 5003R11 Round Rod.

TPO Moves into Instrument Panels

Thermoplastic olefin (TPO) skins used in soft automotive instrument panels are beginning to gain some market share in the US over the traditional PVC/ABS skinned systems. According to Robert Eller Associates, a consulting firm in Akron, OH, some 10 US-built platforms should see conversion to TPO skins by 2004. This compares to zero in 1998 and two today.

The new 2001 Mazda Tribute will feature an extruded TPO skin-olefinic foam laminate IP from Haartz Corp., of Acton, MA. The current 2000 Pontiac Bonneville uses a TPO skin over a traditional PUR foam.

According to Tim Jackson of Haartz, performance was the key factor in choosing TPO over PVC/ABS skins in the Mazda Tribute. He claims that TPO can "enhance long-term weatherability, reduce fogging, and lower overall costs."

-Source: Modern Plastics Magazine, July 2000

Products Suggestions

2501
PlastiFix Kit (White)

$ 35.95

2502
PlastiFix Professional Kit

$ 113.95

BOOK
How To Repair Plastic Bodywork

$ 20.00

2560-3
FlexMold Molding Bars 3 Pack

$ 10.95