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Plastic Welding made easy by identifying plastics!
Tools & plastic supplies
Toronto, ON
Canada
sookoo@rogers.com
1(800)309-6895
Toronto, ON
Canada
sookoo@rogers.com
1(800)309-6895
Identifying What Kind of Plastic You Have
In order to make a good plastic repair, it is critical that you know which kind of plastic you have. The kind of plastic you
have makes a huge difference on how to make the repair properly.
To start, we have to decide if we should use a plastic welder or a chemical (epoxy) weld. The rule of thumb is, if it
melts, weld it and if it doesn't melt, use a chemical weld. Adhering to these truths will take you a long way towards a
successful repair.
If we decided a plastic welder is to be used, then we have to identify the plastic to be welded so as to choose a matching
plastic welding rod. There are two basic ways to find out what kind of plastic you have; using the plastic manufacturer's
labels and using a burn test. These tests will identify some common types of plastic; however, with an increasing use of
composites in plastics, these tests are by no means complete.
If we decided a chemical weld has to be done, then we can use our plastic adhesive.
Manufacturer's ID Label
The following plastics are easily welded using one of our plastic welding kits.
This symbol indicates that the plastic is Polyethylene Terephthalate. This plastic is chemically inert, and so is often used
for sprayer and water tanks, gas cans, etc. This plastic is easily welded using one of
our plastic welding kits.
This symbol indicates that the plastic is High Density Polyethylene. This plastic is often flexible and tough, although this
depends on the amount of plasticizer used. This plastic is easily welded using one of our plastic welding kits.
This symbol indicates that the plastic is Vinyl or Polyvinyl Chloride. This plastic is often in plumbing situations, and can
be flexible, depending on the amounts of plasticizer used. This plastic is easily welded using one of our plastic welding
kits.
This symbol indicates that the plastic is Low Density Polyethylene. This plastic is much more flexible than High Density
PE and is often found in flexible bottles and plastics. As compared to HDPE, LDPE will float while HDPE will sink. This
plastic is easily welded using one of our plastic welding kits.
This symbol indicates that the plastic is Polypropylene. This plastic is flexible and tough, does not crack when bent
repeatedly, and is difficult to scratch with your fingernail. This plastic is often found in car parts like radiators. This
plastic is easily welded using one of our plastic welding kits.
This symbol indicates that the plastic is Polystyrene. This plastic is often formed and in sheets. The sheets will turn white
when bent or stressed, and it makes a metallic noise when struck. This plastic is easily welded using one of our plastic
welding kits.
This symbol indicates that the plastic is a single plastic, or a combination of two or more plastics. These plastics often
need to be chemically welded. Please see our RapidPatch line.
Burn Test for Plastics
It is often difficult to find the manufacturer's ID label, and so other tests may be required. You may be able to call the
manufacturer to identify the plastics. If this isn't possible, you may want to try the burn test. This is a simple test in
which you bring a small piece of the plastic in contact with a flame. The following chart shows reactions of different
plastics.
In order to make a good plastic repair, it is critical that you know which kind of plastic you have. The kind of plastic you
have makes a huge difference on how to make the repair properly.
To start, we have to decide if we should use a plastic welder or a chemical (epoxy) weld. The rule of thumb is, if it
melts, weld it and if it doesn't melt, use a chemical weld. Adhering to these truths will take you a long way towards a
successful repair.
If we decided a plastic welder is to be used, then we have to identify the plastic to be welded so as to choose a matching
plastic welding rod. There are two basic ways to find out what kind of plastic you have; using the plastic manufacturer's
labels and using a burn test. These tests will identify some common types of plastic; however, with an increasing use of
composites in plastics, these tests are by no means complete.
If we decided a chemical weld has to be done, then we can use our plastic adhesive.
Manufacturer's ID Label
The following plastics are easily welded using one of our plastic welding kits.
This symbol indicates that the plastic is Polyethylene Terephthalate. This plastic is chemically inert, and so is often used
for sprayer and water tanks, gas cans, etc. This plastic is easily welded using one of
our plastic welding kits.
This symbol indicates that the plastic is High Density Polyethylene. This plastic is often flexible and tough, although this
depends on the amount of plasticizer used. This plastic is easily welded using one of our plastic welding kits.
This symbol indicates that the plastic is Vinyl or Polyvinyl Chloride. This plastic is often in plumbing situations, and can
be flexible, depending on the amounts of plasticizer used. This plastic is easily welded using one of our plastic welding
kits.
This symbol indicates that the plastic is Low Density Polyethylene. This plastic is much more flexible than High Density
PE and is often found in flexible bottles and plastics. As compared to HDPE, LDPE will float while HDPE will sink. This
plastic is easily welded using one of our plastic welding kits.
This symbol indicates that the plastic is Polypropylene. This plastic is flexible and tough, does not crack when bent
repeatedly, and is difficult to scratch with your fingernail. This plastic is often found in car parts like radiators. This
plastic is easily welded using one of our plastic welding kits.
This symbol indicates that the plastic is Polystyrene. This plastic is often formed and in sheets. The sheets will turn white
when bent or stressed, and it makes a metallic noise when struck. This plastic is easily welded using one of our plastic
welding kits.
This symbol indicates that the plastic is a single plastic, or a combination of two or more plastics. These plastics often
need to be chemically welded. Please see our RapidPatch line.
Burn Test for Plastics
It is often difficult to find the manufacturer's ID label, and so other tests may be required. You may be able to call the
manufacturer to identify the plastics. If this isn't possible, you may want to try the burn test. This is a simple test in
which you bring a small piece of the plastic in contact with a flame. The following chart shows reactions of different
plastics.
| Be Careful When Identifying Your Plastic Type Using A Burn Test! When doing a burn test, please be careful. Drips can cause flames to spread. Use small amounts of plastic. Also, don't directly inhale the smoke; simply note the general odor. |
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Burn tests for Common Plastics
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