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Thread: Bonding Cast Acrylic to Metal (Aluminum)

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  1. #1
    Join Date
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    Bonding Cast Acrylic to Metal (Aluminum)

    I have clear cast acrylic that I need to bond to metal in a way that is not unsightly. Does anyone have any suggestions what is the correct glue to use for this or how else I should go about it?
    Epilog Legend 36EXT 75W

  2. #2
    An idea if possible: glue an opaque acrylic to the aluminum along the bonding surface using something agressive like a PUR and then gluing the clear acrylic to the opaque acrylic using IPS. The opaque acrylic could be roughened on the adhesive side for a more agressive bond.

    Cheers
    I design, engineer and program all sorts of things.

    Oh, and I use Adobe Illustrator with an Epilog Mini.

  3. #3
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    Another idea is to use two layer acrylic. I believe Rowmark carries a 1/8" clear with a thin layer of black attached. You can glue the opaque side down after you reverse engrave it.

    Mark
    ULS X-2 660, Corel X3, Haas VF4, Graphtec vinyl cutter, Xenetech rotaries (3), Dahlgren Tables, Gorton P2-3, New Hermes pantographs (2), and recently, 24" x 36" chinese router. Also do sublimation, sand blasting, & metal photo. Engraver since 1975.

  4. #4
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    Nice idea Doug. However I am trying to fix a metal dowel into clear acrylic and I don't think that solution will work in this instance.
    Epilog Legend 36EXT 75W

  5. #5
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    Mark, I type too slowly!
    Epilog Legend 36EXT 75W

  6. #6
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    A picture or drawing could be very helpful. Are these dowels to make clear letters stand off from a wall?

    Or perhaps dowels standing up straight from a metal base?



    Sammamish, WA

    Epilog Legend 24TT 45W, had a sign business for 17 years, now just doing laser work on the side.

    "One only needs two tools in life: WD-40 to make things go, and duct tape to make them stop." G. Weilacher

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  7. #7
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    You're right Joe!

    I am making a clear case for a presentation book. A 20mm piece of clear acrylic with centre cutout is to be bonded to a 10mm base using a 30mm dowel which will extend into the base by 5mm, pass through and be bonded to the 20mm layer and stand proud by 5mm to act as locator for the lid. Thats the idea anyway
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    Epilog Legend 36EXT 75W

  8. #8
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    What if you used acrylic pins in the cover and only made a small hole in the middle to locate. Bottom and middle could be clear bonded together.

    GDG

  9. #9
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    What if you just recessed the cover outside so that he center fits in the middle recess and eliminate the pins all together.

    GDG

  10. #10
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    The adhesive I use often stays really clear, it's E6000 by Eclectic Products Inc. I get it from Tap Plastics.



    Sammamish, WA

    Epilog Legend 24TT 45W, had a sign business for 17 years, now just doing laser work on the side.

    "One only needs two tools in life: WD-40 to make things go, and duct tape to make them stop." G. Weilacher

    "The handyman's secret weapon - Duct Tape" R. Green

  11. #11
    Join Date
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    Thanks everyone for your replies. I ended up using Loctite superglue. The dowels are snug and not under major duress so hopefully all will be ok.


    James
    Epilog Legend 36EXT 75W

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