Plastic Welding?

[Screwdriver]

ABS contains polybutadiene which is a synthetic rubber, not actual rubber. Anyhow, while I am of course prepared to accept that a repair is unlikely to be as strong as an unbroken item, I do not believe it is for the reasons stated. I still say a good plastic weld, using a hot air gun, is going to give the best results. Received wisdom tells me thermosetting plastics can undergo a number of heat cycles before heat alone causes severe degradation. Secondly when plastic welding a virgin extruded ABS rod into a grooved crack, the area of the heat affected zone is much greater than the thickness of the material, ergo even though the boundary of the repair may not be as strong per mm, it is bonded over a much larger area.

 

[Rocketman]

Correct it is synthetic rubber, does not get past the fact it is the variable in how much is in it.

I don't mind if you don't believe that every time polymers are melted they loose properties or any other of the reasons I gave you.

But the facts I gave you are true, it's basically my living design of plastics parts and tools since the mid 90's.

 

[Screwdriver]

Fact is they don't degrade that much, which is why I said "thermosetting plastics can undergo a number of heat cycles before heat alone causes severe degradation"

Which is why I suggest welding with a heat gun is the best option for repair.

 

[Rocketman]

Hard to say the degradation as so many factors are involved when the polymer goes through reprocessing. I was simply explaining a fact that it will never be as good as the original moulding.

Yes heat gun is worth a go, will it crack again depends.