Styrene Cement Alternative

Discussion in 'Hints & Tips' started by keefe, Aug 15, 2017.

  1. keefe

    keefe Full Member

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    We've all used Styrene cement to glue our plastic kits together, for the amount you get it works out to be pretty expensive.

    I have been experimenting with Acetone and found it does just as good a job as the more expensive counterparts, you can buy 1 L from Bunnings for just $11.36 (500 ml $10.22)

    The only difference is that it evaporates too quickly, this has its advantages, but if you need time to re-position parts just use the expensive stuff.

    Here's what a chemist said about Acetone......

    [line]"Hi there! I am a chemist to the rescue!

    Great question by the way! It's always worth exploring other options to save mula. Methyl Ethyl Ketone is Butanone and Acetone is Propanone...

    MEK - Butanone
    Acetone - Propanone

    Yup, both what we call ketones, or in that chemical family meaning that they behave exactly the same way chemically. The only difference is a an extra carbon group really (CH3) does that make much difference you may ask?

    To a chemist... nope! To a lawyer and all the stuff about who has a patent on what... most likely!

    So love the chemistry and use acetone if that works! I haven't used it myself but will give it a go if you are getting good results :). The thing is, there are so many products for modelling its so confusing, but they are just ordinary cheap things with a fancy label on."

    [line]
    Click on the link below to see a forum discussion on the subject.......

    http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/tools_techniques_and_reference_materials/f/23/t/145610.aspx

    Happy Modelling
    Keefe



     
  2. Kimbo

    Kimbo Staff Member Moderator

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    Nice find keefe.
    More by accident I have found that it does glue plastics very well and it certainly is a lot cheaper to buy than MEK. :thumbup:
    Both need treating the same when using from a H & S point, well ventilated area.
    Kim
     
  3. jakesdad13

    jakesdad13 Staff Member Moderator

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    I don't know the situation in Oz, but here I have bought butanone (MEK) on ebay in 1ltr bottles delivered for a fraction of the cost from modelling suppliers.

    Pete.
     
  4. keefe

    keefe Full Member

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    Kimbo wrote:
    Thanks Kim, yes I agree with you on H&S, these products give off very strong fumes, as Kim says keep the working area well ventilated and also avoid naked flames.

    Be Safe

    Keefe
     
  5. keefe

    keefe Full Member

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    jakesdad13 wrote:
    Thanks for the info Pete, I will have look later.

    Keefe
     
  6. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    Acetone is very good for ABS based kits / 3D printed parts, and model filler can be made by dissolving the plastic in either of them. Again watch out for the fumes.

    Paul
     
  7. SMR CHRIS

    SMR CHRIS Staff Member Moderator

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    Down under at Bunnings Protek priming fluid for PVC pipes
    This is the equivalent of the model styrene liquid cement MEK
    It's <90% Methyl Ethyl Ketone on the MSDS, but on the bottle notes 60-100% I'm guessing that fresh 100% and minuim 60% as it evaporates the nastys out if you forget to recap.
    Under $5 for 250ml bottle no point buying the bigger bottle as it dose loose its effective ness over time best to decant a small amount into a glass bottle at a time and refresh as needed.
    Check the use by date when buying I've found up to 12mth variance on the same shelf

    Attached files [​IMG]
     
  8. billericaybill

    billericaybill Full Member

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    In defence of the little blue bottle with the very handy needle applicator.
    1. You can knock it over as many times as you like and you won't spill it.
    2. You only use the minimum amount to do your job and no more than that evaporates. With large bottles of acetone you can get nice great big lungfuls when you use it. You also need to find go and find a brush with the surplus then evaporating from the brush. There are NO safe chemicals; its all a matter of concentrations and exposure.
     

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