Questions about styrene vs abs

[robert.]

Health and safety[edit]
The toxicity of tetrachloroethylene "is moderate to low". "Reports of human injury are uncommon despite its wide usage in dry cleaning and degreasing".[7]

The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified tetrachloroethylene as a Group 2A carcinogen, which means that it is probably carcinogenic to humans.[8] Like many chlorinated hydrocarbons, tetrachloroethylene is a central nervous system depressant and can enter the body through respiratory or dermal exposure.[9] Tetrachloroethylene dissolves fats from the skin, potentially resulting in skin irritation.

Owing to tetrachloroethylene's cancer risks, California's Air Resources Board banned the substance from use in new dry-cleaning machines in 2007, with older PCE-using machines shut down by mid-2010 and the use of all such machines discontinued in California by 2023.[10]

Animal studies and a study of 99 twins showed there is a "lot of circumstantial evidence" that exposure to tetrachloroethylene increases the risk of developing Parkinson's disease ninefold. Larger population studies are planned.[11] Also, tetrachloroethylene has been shown to cause liver tumors in mice and kidney tumors in male rats.[12]

At temperatures over 315 °C (599 °F), such as in welding, tetrachloroethylene can be oxidized into phosgene, an extremely poisonous gas.[13] [14]

The U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has compiled extensive health and safety information for tetrachloroethylene,[15][16] including recommendations for dry cleaning establishments.[17][18][19][20]

Perchloroethylene exposure has been linked to pronounced acquired color vision deficiencies after chronic exposure

[Rufus T. Firefly]

That color deficiency part is new to me....

Another good reason to avoid these solvents

[Big Jim]

Chuck, what is a "ruling pen"?

[webenda]

Your best bet to attach ABS to PS is crazy glue.

I agree with you, Chuck. Krazy Glue sticks to most materials we use in our hobby. The only thing I do not like about cyanoacrylate's is the short shelf life after first use.

Is cyanoacrylate safe? The name definitely sounds unsafe.

Krazy Glue MSDS
Classification in accordance with paragraph (d) of 29 CFR 1910.1200.
Flammable Liquids - Category 4
Serious Eye Damage/Eye Irritation - Category 2A
Skin Sensitization - Category 1A
Reproductive Toxicity - Category 2
Specific Target Organ Toxicity - Single Exposure - Category 3

Combustible liquid.
Causes serious eye irritation.
May cause allergic skin reaction.
Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child.
May cause respiratory irritation.

Obtain special instructions before use.
Do not handle until all safety precautions have been read and understood.
Keep away from flames and hot surfaces. – No smoking.
Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
Wear protective gloves and eye protection.
Avoid breathing vapors.
Wash thoroughly after handling.
Contaminated work clothing must not be allowed out of the workplace.

What was the original question?

how easy is it to glue abs plastic vs styrene?

Apparently, in this day of MSDS's and lawsuits, it is not easy at all.

I wonder if screws are safe? Maybe you could screw your project together George.

I remember building models when I was a kid using Ambroid (cellulose acetate) and Dope. They both stunk up my room with wonderful odors. Peeling Ambroid off my fingers after a build was part of the fun. It is a shame all those weekends of cronic chemical exposure killed me.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

The only thing I do not like about cyanoacrylate's is the short shelf life after first use.

Proper storage will solve that for you. Store in a desiccator with color active indicator after opening. I've kept open bottles in such conditions for years. Moisture is the cause of almost all CA failing in the bottle over time.

[ogauge47]

I learned a few years ago that putting your CA bottles in the freezer will significantly extend their shelf life.

Echoing some previous comments- I much prefer working with styrene. Liquid solvents are easy to work with and (usually) don't have as much of a mess. I used to use Tenax 7R when it was still being made- I believe MicroMark makes a similar product now

[Rufus T. Firefly]

I learned a few years ago that putting your CA bottles in the freezer will significantly extend their shelf life.

That just slows the spontaneous polymerization reaction. And, if you do not let it come up to room temperature every time you take out of the freezer, you will condense moisture into the CA and actually accelerate its failure

I used to use Tenax 7R when it was still being made

It's just methylene chloride with a trace of a filler that is unnecessary

I believe MicroMark makes a similar product now

I don't believe that MicroMark makes anything, but rather just repackages.

[chuck]

Same Stuff (MicroMarks version of Tenex) is close to Tenex. Actually works better than Tenex on ABS (at least on Plastruct's products).

Tenex was very hit or miss on Plastruct.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Same Stuff (MicroMarks version of Tenex) is close to Tenex. Actually works better than Tenex on ABS (at least on Plastruct's products).

Tenex was very hit or miss on Plastruct.

Tenax usually is a total failure for ABS; methylene chloride does weld ABS; you need MEK for that stuff.

Have to careful with Plastruct products - they sell both styrene and ABS

[Roy]

Rufus, what kind of protection does one need, to work safely with the deadliest of these chemical adhesives?

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Rufus, what kind of protection does one need, to work safely with the deadliest of these chemical adhesives?

Good exhaust fan; glasses and then keep you mouth closed when using stuff - you don't put paint in your mouth, eyes or nose, so follow the basics on that front.

I'm actually probably too cavalier since most barely registers on my personal conscious hazard alarm; sort of 2nd nature to me after close to 40 years of bench chemistry. I consider myself to be a bit sloppy.........except when it's radioactive.

[rogruth]

That color deficiency part is new to me....

Another good reason to avoid these solvents

Rufus,
What are some of the common names of these materials so that us common folk will have a better idea of what to avoid?

[Rufus T. Firefly]

That color deficiency part is new to me....

Another good reason to avoid these solvents

Rufus,
What are some of the common names of these materials so that us common folk will have a better idea of what to avoid?

Perchloroethylene; trichloroethylene.....polychlorinated alkenes

[chuck]

Some Plastruct shapes were pretty "soft" and the solvent wouldn't weld, all it would was soften the plastic even further. I'd just switch to a CA glue at that point. The first couple of times when I persisted in trying to use the solvent just made a mess.

When Tenex or its knock offs work the plastic melts pretty fast. I've used stretched sprue and Tenex as a gap filler. Once it hardens you can work it just like the surrounding plastic.

[G3750]

OK, so is Loctite Power Grab safe and effective on ABS and styrene?