Solvent Bonding

Solvent bonding or solvent sealing is a process in which the surfaces of flexible materials are treated with a chemical solvent in order to form a permanent bond. The solvent temporarily softens the material and the bond is made by chemical reaction. As the solvent evaporates, the two surfaces firmly bond together.

How solvent bonding is used

Solvent bonding is often used for securing fill and vent tubes to closed chamber type constructions. It is used with amorphous polymers, such as polycarbonate, PVC and polystyrene. Higher molecular-weight polymers have better resistance to solvent-induced cracking, so using low molecular-weight polymers is not recommended.

Examples of sealing with solvents:

Insertion of a tube into a fitting for inflatable products
Joining surfaces made of dissimilar materials for more flexibility on material thicknesses and compositions such as: polyurethane to PVC and Hypalon to polyurethane, PVC, synthetic and natural rubbers, etc.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is solvent bonding?

Solvent bonding is a bonding process through which multiple pieces of like materials are permanently affixed to each other using a chemically compatible solvent.

Is the solvent bond visible after it has dried?

On clear materials, the bonded area can take on a cloudy appearrance.

Can different types of plastics be bonded with each other?

Some combinations of materials can be effectively bonded together with the correct solvent.

What are the most outstanding advantages of solvent bonding?

It is an economical component bonding solution.
It does not add any bulk-mass to the components.
It is liquid/airtight after curing.

Bonding services for product fabrication

SealWerks offers solvent bonding services as one of our sealing methods, or to complete sealing where other mechanical means are not feasible. A solvent bond creates a strong and permanent seal between materials, making it an ideal solution for many different products and applications.

Industry uses of the solvent bonding process

Many different industries such as industrial, automotive, aviation, construction and manufacturing can use chemical solvent based sealing methods in the fabrication of their products.

To learn more about the various applications for bonding materials with chemical solvents, contact SealWerks today for a quote or to talk to our experts about your project.