Acetone and plexiglass

D

Dedoo

Joined
Aug 17, 2006
Messages
8
anyone have experience using this as a stabiliser?

I got a tip to dissolve the plexiglass into acetone and use it to vacuum/pressure impregnate. When I tried this however the plexiglass did not fully dissolve in the acetone. It just melted down to a soft substation on the bottom of the jar.

are there different kinds of acetone?
 
MEK might be the ticket. Believe I've got a piece of plexiglass laying around if I can find it and know I've got the MEK so I'll try a piece in it and let you know if it will work.
 
That might be interesting to try, thanks for posting it. I have alot of plexiglass scraps and I use MEK alot.
 
MEK as in Methylethylketon?
I had to look that up so don't think I'm an expert :D

I never heard of it but it seems that it is available here in the Netherlands so I'll be looking forward tohear about your tryout Raymond.
 
I know lacquer thinner will dissolve certain type of plastic since I was a kid after putting lacquer bassed paints in plastic containers. Just happend to think urathains are plastic sealers.
 
MEK is considered to be a hazardous chemical by the EPA. I am not even sure if you can still buy it on the open market. Here at work we have had to get rid of it in our processes. Steven
 
It is still in all of the hardware stores around here. I like it better then acetone for cleaning. But I only use it outside in good ventilation.
 
I put a little piece of the plexiglass in the MEK. Last time I checked it looked like it had gotten softer but it was still there.
 
Now that I'm nearly 60, I have the same problem.:D

Wonder if it would help to break the plastic up or grind it up, then disolve it and strain the liquid.
 
I have used acetone to disolve knife scales loose that I have screwed up and it has taken several days to get the epoxy to disolve.
 
R.Coon-Knives said:
Now that I'm nearly 60, I have the same problem.:D

Wonder if it would help to break the plastic up or grind it up, then disolve it and strain the liquid.
Click to expand...

Heck Ray, You already are 60...... :D Are you sure its still there?
 
I remembered to take a look at the piece of plexiglass that had been soaking in the MEK for I guess close to 8 hours. I can still see it but it has gotten softer and is now stuck to the bottom of the jar. I'll see what has happend in the morning.
 
We cast some thin films of polycarbonate for senior design projects by using small pellets and methylene chloride. You'd probably have to order it from a chemical supply house. We also used a heated magnetic stirring plate, with one of the little capsules in the mix that spun from the magnets in the plate. It took about 15 minutes, but we were using just a few grams, and DONT put a stopper in it if you use heat to help it dissolve faster. When those little beakers blow their top, the stuff inside gets into places you'd never imagine. I would expect plexiglass to behave in a similar fashion. Cutting or grinding (careful, the dust is fairly toxic) it into smaller pieces will help. Also note that we did all this in a fume hood, not just in the garage w/ the doors open.
Have you tried welding plexiglass w/ acetone? My grandfather said you could swipe both pieces w/ a brush dipped in acetone, then stick them together and you'd have a fairly good bond. Never tried myself, but you may find it useful.
 
Plexiglass is just a brand name for acrylic. Alot of clothing has acrylic in it since it is a synthetic cloth material like polyester and rayon. Supposedly Methelene Di-Chloride is the official solvent for plexiglass.
 
I remembered to take a look at the piece of plexiglass that had been soaking in the MEK for I guess close to 8 hours. I can still see it but it has gotten softer and is now stuck to the bottom of the jar. I'll see what has happend in the morning.
Click to expand...

That's exactly what happened in my case. It formed a layer of a soft substance at the bottom of my jar.

Do you think cutting the plexiglass down to small pellets and shake/ stir it constantly make a difference?
 
I've been busy building a corral and haven't remember to take a look. Think someone had already suggested putting it in in smaller pieces. I think all your going to end up making is Super glue. :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top