Re: high density poly repair
Just as I side note, I was in the plastics industry for many years and hope to offer a little bit of insight as well. A few polymers are designed for chemical resistance. Two of the most common are polyethylene (PE, either HDPE or LDPE high and low density) and Polystyrene (PS). When bonding two materials together (specifically plastics) there are 2 ways as with any other materials. Chemical and Mechanical. <br /><br />Normally glues for plastics contain solvents which begin to eat away at the surface it is on, then when the 2 pieces are put together, the solvent dissipates, and a chemical bond is left (in effect making 1 piece out of formerly 2). This process is similar to welding 2 pieces of steel to create 1. This is the best bond.<br /><br />There is also mechanical. Glues and various adhesives will not create a chemical bond in PE. Using foreign substances, a good seal is the best you can hope for. When applying, make sure you smooth out the area as best you can. bumps and ridges commonly put on parts by design, will create headaches for you very fast. Make sure you get a fair amount on the inside of the hole as well as the outside to patch the hole.<br /><br />If the hole has any size to it, hot air weld may be your only solution. <br /><br />As a side note, there are various grades of PE, but they are all very similar. But in general if you have an old fisher price toy house in your yard or something like that, try patching a hole in it for a test run before you do something to your prize toy.<br /><br />here are a couple of other products for you to research as well which are designed for bonding polyolefins and similar products I was never in the past associated with either, nor do I give full endorsement of either:<br /><br />3M - Scotch Weld DP 8005 (drawback is it is acrylic based, and acrylic by nature is hygroscopic (attracts and absorbs moisture).<br /><br />Marine-Tex - Poly-Dura (It is a mechanical bond, and an epoxy resin, my suspicion is life of your hole repair will be short lived).<br /><br />Here is a neat link explaining a way to do-it-yourself hot air weld. <br />
http://www.a-a-i.net/polyethylene.htm as a note on this, I have never used this method as there are industrial heat guns I have used.<br /><br />Best of luck on your project.
