My Kydex forming experience is in the 10's not the 1000's but i wrote up a couple info sheets for myself while doing the research.
I know i have a couple more here but can't find em right now.
For those who are interested..
How to glue a Kydex sheath.
Concealx and Kydex materials are classified as Thermoformable Acrylic Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC). They are used mainly in the manufacture of interior panels for mass transit vehicles such as busses and aircraft. They are also commonly used in the manufacture of knife sheaths, pistol holsters and many other interesting uses.
Concealx is the trade name of BladeTech for the product Boltaron made by Empire Plastics.
Kydex is the corresponding trade name used by Kleerdex.
One very valuable feature of these materials is their versatility. They are highly formable and workable. They can be assembled with any standard mechanical fasteners such as screws or rivets, but they may also be solvent welded together. Solvent welding may be thought of as simply gluing the materials together, but there is a significant difference. Solvent welding actually partially dissolves both surfaces to be joined. Both parts are pressed onto one solid piece. This results in a strong, attractive joint, rather than two layers of material with glue in the middle.
The technical support department of Kleerdex recommends using Tetrahydrofuran (THF) for solvent welding.
Methyl-Ethyl-Ketone (MEK) is also mentioned as an additive to paints for spray application onto Kydex. MEK will improve adhesion by allowing penetration of the paint through the smooth outer surface.
One easily available product for solvent welding which can be used is Oatey’s “Orange-label” CPVC cement.
It is manufactured by:
Oatey
4700 West 160th street
Cleveland, Ohio
44135
1-216-267-7100
www.oatey.com
It is described on the label as a medium clear CPVC cement for CPVC pipes and fittings. It is commonly available in hardware and plumbing stores as plastic pipe cement. In the Oatey line, many products are available for different plastics that contain THF. I find that this is the best product, with the most compatible (clear) color. Other essentially identical products are also available from other manufacturers, this product just happens to be what I use.
Sand the interior (shiny side) of both Kydex pieces with abrasive to allow the solvent to contact and penetrate. I usually use a 220-grit abrasive cloth. Apply the cement sparingly on both sides; a small brush or disposable cotton swabs work well. The material will absorb the cement and soften slightly. Apply and maintain pressure on the assembly for 4 to 24 hours to allow the bond to set. Cure time will depend on, the material thickness, the amount of cement applied as well as the curing temperature and humidity.
Caution:
As with any chemical this has the potential to be hazardous if not used correctly. Read and follow the warning labels. As a basic summary- Don’t: drink it, breathe it, smoke it, touch it, rub it in your eyes, set fire to it, or give it to your children. If you did happen to experience one of those incidents listed, you are invited to call 1-303-623-5716 and reverse the long distance telephone charges for friendly and knowledgeable advice on how to best proceed.
Question - how do you finish the edges of your kydex? In other words, how do you get that slick look to the edges with a slightly rounded edge?
I'm also pretty sure that I read somewhere that you can use a bit of acetone on a rag and wipe it down the edge but can't find that reference again.
I believe the solvent used to rub the edges into a nice polish is the thinner used for the PVC solvent.
KYDEX:
Kydex is the trade name of and a registered product of the KLEERDEX Corp, and meets all military Specifications, etc.
The recommended temperature for working Kydex is 350* F.
CONCEALX:
Concealx is a trade name of BladeTech for the product Boltron.
Boltron is the trade name and registered product of the EMPIRE Plastics Company.
Boltron is less expensive than Kydex and meets most of the higher specification that Kydex meets
BOLTRON works at a lower temperature and cools faster than KYDEX.
The factory recommended temperature for most Boltron products is 290* - 335* F do not exceed 335*F.
The porosity of the BOLTRON acrylic PVC material caused an over all moisture absorption rate much higher than KYDEX. It should be pre dried at about 200 * F before thermoforming. It has no real effect on moisture holding as it relates to corrosion of the contained items.
Both materials begin to break down at temperatures of over 400* F and tend to give off some very nasty gases.
There are about 22 grades of KYDEX, but the two most common types that are used in the knife and sporting goods industry is KYDEX T & KYDEX 100. These two also are the most common used in the Aircraft and Mass transit applications. BOLTRON makes about 11 acrylic PVC sheet products but the most common usage is the BOLTRON 4330. For that reason these are the three products discussed.
TYPICAL PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OR EMPIRE/BOLTRON 4330 AND & KYDEX 100 SERIES. These figures are factory typical values.
Specifications BOLTRON 4330 KYDEX T KYDEX 100
Specific gravity 1.40-1.43 1.35 1.35
Tensile strength 5,000-5,400 PSI 6,100 6,100
Flexural strength 8,600-9,200 PSI 9,600 9,300
Impact resistance 15-18 15 18
Heat deflection 161-163 * F 168 * F 173* F
Mold shrinkage 0.5%-0. 7 % 0.4%-0.6 % 0.3%-0.5 %
Forming temp 335-370* F 325-390*F 325-390* F
FAA Approved Unknown PASSED PASSED
Absorption rate ** Unknown 0.006% / volume 0.006%
Quote from KYDEX information sheet;
GENERAL INFORMATION
Kydex T is a proprietary acrylic/PVC thermoplastic sheet that is cost competitive with fire retardant ABS/PVC (FR-ABS) formulations but with significantly higher impact strength and extensibility. Unlike FR-ABS, because Kydex T is less hygroscopic, Kydex T typically does not requiring pre-drying; offers superior impact resistance 15 ft-lbs/in (801 J/m); more uniform forming with less wall thinning; and offers significantly greater resistance to a broad range of corrosive chemicals and cleaning solutions. It is available in a wide range of aesthetic choices and is UL recognized Std 94 V-0/5V.
Quote from BOLTRON information sheet;
GENERAL INFORMATION
EMPIRE/BOLTARON 4330 Sheet is an ACRYLIC-MODIFIED POLYVINYL CHLORIDE extruded sheet, compounded with excellent balance of physical properties. Field-proven in numerous commercial, industrial, institutional and transportation applications, EMPIRE/BOLTARON 4330 Sheet also exhibits outstanding thermoforming characteristics and excellent mold and pattern reproduction (heats faster/cools faster), which means faster cycle times on standard thermoforming equipment. Empire Plastics information sheet also says that this product is rated as "Good" under the Weatherability category while the Kleerdex information sheet states that both T and 100 series rates as “Excellent” in Weatherability.
Steven Penner
I know this is lengthy, but i found some of it useful