Plastic Identification... What Can Be Welded? What Can't?

When fusion welding with the Nitrogen plastic welder, you will have to identify the type of plastic and select the correct welding rod. Although there are many types of plastic, there are only a few that are commonly used on auto parts. This video will help you to identify the plastics.
Chapters:
Intro: 0:00
Overview: 0:10
Identify polypropylene/TPO/TEO: 0:29
Identify polyurethane: 1:41
Identify other thermoplastics: 2:24
We have a huge selection of welding rod. Look through our Welding Rod List to find the appropriate welding rod for your repair: www.polyvance.com/Welding-Rod...
If you don't know what material you have, view our Plastic Identification Chart: www.polyvance.com/identify.php
View this video on our website: www.polyvance.com/video/plast...
⚠️ Important ⚠️
- Always wear proper safety gear while working!
- The length of this video is in no way representative of the actual time required to perform a complete repair and therefore should not be used for estimating purposes.
✅ SUBSCRIBE to our channel for updates on our products and tutorials!
🌐 VISIT us at www.polyvance.com
📧 EMAIL us at [e-mail]
📞 CALL us at 1-800-633-3047
✉️ SIGN UP for our email newsletter at omniform1.com/forms/v1/landin...
👍 Follow us on social media:
- Facebook: / polyvance
- Instagram: / polyvanceofficial
- TikTok: / polyvance
- LinkedIn: / polyvance
Browse our products:
- Best sellers: www.polyvance.com/Best-Sellers/
- Newest products: www.polyvance.com/New-Products/
Check out Polyvance's plastic welders and welding rod:
- Nitrogen welders: www.polyvance.com/Nitrogen-We...
- Hot air welders: www.polyvance.com/Hot-Air-Wel...
- Airless welders: www.polyvance.com/Airless-Wel...
-Plastic welding rod: www.polyvance.com/Welding-Rod...

[@jaguaralegre351]

Can the abs plastic be weld?

[@polyvance]

Yes. We carry ABS welding rod (www.polyvance.com/ABS-1/). Additionally, PlastiFix can be used to repair ABS plastics (www.polyvance.com/PlastiFix-Kits-1/2501/)

[@jaguaralegre351]

Polyvance. Thanks in the shop where I work we use weld ur products but I am the painter in the shop and I need to weld An spoiler that made of pbs plastic and the manager the guys in the shop said that that kind of plastic it doesn’t weld well???? That doesn’t last or something

[@scottb7600]

Absolutely! The general rule is: If it melts, it can be welded. PlastiFix works great on ABS too, but its only available in the USA and in the EU.

[@scottb7600]

@@jaguaralegre351 If its ABS, it will weld fine and should be plenty durable. If in doubt, melt some 2045W stainless steel mesh into the repair using an airless welder. Spoilers are sometimes also made of polyurethane, in which case, the repair process in not the same and you cannot do a fusion weld as urethane is thermoset and doesn't melt.

[@jaguaralegre351]

Scott B thanks bro it’s a new 2017 charger trunk spoiler that I am gonna cut in the half to make it 6 inches shorter because it is going on a different car and before I cut it I wanna how to weld it back in the shop where I work we have the equipment to weld plastics I even know how to weld bumpers but I have never weld abs and the guys at the shop said that is not gonna work that abs it never doesn’t weld good or something but I am gonna do it just like u said thanks for your help

[@saudanha]

Polyvance explanatory videos are great! Thank you very much for sharing these experiences.

[@polyvance]

Thank you!

[@7smr]

Excellent video. This contained the information I was looking for.

[@polyvance]

Thank you! Glad it helped!

[@timothythomas1345]

You guys are one of the best choices to ask the question I have . I have had an Idea for my recently finished roof rack floor . Instaed of adding a lot more weight than I would like using expanded sheet as a floor . I thought of welding together some thinker bread racks . . Making a plastic grated floor . Any tip's , advice, Or suggestions would be greatly appreciated and well recived . Thank You and God Bless .

[@Interp66]

I’ve just got into plastic welding! This video was very informative thanks!

[@polyvance]

Great to hear! Good luck! :)

[@Interp66]

Polyvance. Thanks I can’t wait to really get started!

[@datoneballinbmwrunit2685]

Would love to try one of these out!

[@aleksandarv.3491]

Great video!

[@polyvance]

Thanks for watching!

[@rufusleehung4563]

I read the description attached to the video'

[@leslie7622]

I'm trying to figure out how to repair a plastic part on my baby stroller with your products. I do not see any markings to identify what kind of plastic it is. how else can I identify the type of plastic

[@percspot872]

Which welding rod do I need for Kydex or Boltron? I have looked through your book only to not be sure which rod to get.

[@polyvance]

Good question. You'll need PVC (R09) for both of those. Boltaron and Kydex are both brand names for PVC products, so that could be why you had trouble finding answers. Sorry about that, but we hope we cleared things up! If you have any further questions, feel free to give us a call.

[@polyvance]

View this video on on our website for helpful information: www.polyvance.com/video/plastic-identification-and-information/plastic-identification-what-can-be-welded-what-cant

[@forestweston5055]

I’ve tried to weld some cracks in my Thule Adventurer car top carrier. Supposedly made of ABS but I have 2 types of ABS rod and it just won’t bond. ( surface prep with wire brush then acetone). No markings on it for plastic type. I’ve also tried about 4 other types of rod with no luck. Any suggestions?

[@scottb7600]

I'm not surprised that you are having difficulty welding your Thule cargo carrier. There are several things working against you and one thing that you did to cause additional problems. Cleaning ABS with acetone is a big no-no. Acetone eats ABS and soaks into it easily. So when you go to weld it, even if it feels dry it has solvent trapped inside the material, when heated the solvent migrates and interferes with the weld. The other issues at work are the thickness of the plastic, oxidation, and sensitivity of ABS to welding temperature. So, in order to weld plastic, the surface of both the filler rod and the substrate need to be clean and fresh. Clean the rod and substrate with a cleaner designed for the task, like 1000 Super Prep or 1001-4 Eco Prep plastic cleaners, then sand the surface of the rod lightly, v-groove the substrate and sand the area to be welded, then weld it. BUT because the Thule boxes are so thin, the problem you'll have is that by the time the surface of the plastic is melted, the rigidity of the substrate is gone and you can apply enough pressure while welding to get a good bod without someone holding a backer plate on the backside to prevent it from giving...ALSO ABS has a tendency to warp easily...so your challenge in your project is to weld, not warp and have enough pressure to bond. Its tough. on stuff like your Thule box, I always use a Product called PlastiFix. It makes a repair that is next to none on ABS, it doesn't distort the plastic and it can be painted easily. Its a slower repair process, but its worth it in this case. Check it out here: www.polyvance.com/PlastiFix-Kits-1/2503/ Video links are in that ink.

[@luciehamelin497]

How can I fix a big crack in my side by side ATV floor? A big rock hit the underneath and made a big crack going from bolt to bolt!! Please help I will try to fix myself.

[@polyvance]

Hi, Lucie! kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5XYfpiXlLNrhKs If the floorboard is made of something like polyethylene or polypropylene, which it most likely is, then you can use this! Make sure you're able to identify the type of plastic it is, though. If you're in a hurry to get it done, it might not be a bad idea to order both polyethylene AND polypropylene welding rods so you know you'll have what you need when you get started.

[@user-cc9iv6ps3x]

I am a plastic welder and have always used the appropriate ventilation but is there any need for a mask or resperator from breathing in what isnt clean air

[@scottb7600]

I would recommend a respirator appropriate to the task coupled with good ventilation. A plain dust mask is not recommended.

[@backyardbuck6362]

what kind of plastic do you think those water storage containers are their kind of white clear translucent color

[@polyvance]

Things like that are most often made of either polyethylene or polypropylene.

[@nilnil7044]

Which welding rod do I need for "PP - T20" ? PP rod possible?

[@polyvance]

Yes, you can use R02 PP welding rod.

[@faizanfaiz204]

Is there any successful method to weld PC plastic

[@faizanfaiz204]

Yes

[@scottb7600]

Yes, just use polycarbonate welding rod.

[@reginaldbowls7180]

Can a glass reinforced nylon intake be welded?

[@scottb7600]

YES! Use R21 Series welding rod from Polyvance.

[@reginaldbowls7180]

@@scottb7600 sweeet! Thanks for the tip! 🎈

[@reginaldbowls7180]

@@scottb7600 is that a Chevelle or a Cobra btw?

[@backyardbuck6362]

I need to make a custom livewell out of plastic for my boat

[@philcongreve7615]

Im trying to repair an ac scnitzer BMW bumper but it has no stamp other than "made in germany" TPO and PP wont stick to it at all, any ideas what it could be made of?

[@scottb7600]

AC Schnitzer seems to use several different materials for their aftermarket parts. It could be carbon fiber (very hard, breaks irregularly, and has fibers in the broken areas) , polycarbonate (hard, usually breaks with sharp edges, melts easily, weldable with PC rod or use PlastiFix Adhesive), ABS (not quite as hard as polycarbonate, weldable with ABS rod, PlastiFix works EXCELLENT on this material) or Urethane (very flexible, usually yellowish in color, but not always, decomposes if welding is attempted, the plastic remains tacky and the remaining goo has no adhesion to much of anything.)

[@philcongreve7615]

Thanks Scott, much appreciated. It’s not carbon fibre or pc, I’ve tried every rod I can think of pp/epdm, abs, xenoy, pc, pe, pa, tpo...So annoying. I’ve got some of your rods on order now so fingers crossed

[@philcongreve7615]

unfortunately the plastifix rods dont stick to it either

[@scottb7600]

Do you mean fiberflex? If so, it may be technique or expecting fiberflex to produce a true weld....which it does not. It acts more like an adhesive and bonds the plastic together, but does not fuse it, if that makes sense.

[@fstarockaburns425]

he prob played the guitar track after work hours.

[@polyvance]

You know it.

[@lornamurdocheaton624]

Well, if he did, tell his mom I'm sorry, but it's HORRIBLE!

[@aliggukibnugurli4072]

Guys does anyone know how to weld a pu15 type plastics? Thanks

[@polyvance]

More than likely, a PU15 designation means Polyurethane. Just follow the instructions on the video in the link below. Thanks for watching! kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZoSpl6F4hphnbsU

[@aliyavari6263]

Hi, need to repair a PA66 broken part, but the broken part is missing. Which plastic rod should I use to repair it. Thanks

[@scottb7600]

Any of the R06 series rods from Polyvance: www.polyvance.com/Nylon-1/?pageNum=0 OR if you want fiber reinforced nylon, try the R21 series. (page two of the above link.)

[@aliyavari6263]

@@scottb7600 thanks a lot will try the cheapest first.

[@afrikagreen6303]

very annoying background music for a good informative video!!

[@polyvance]

Sorry, we can't do anything about the music. This video is over 5 years old. But our newer videos have different music.

[@leopardabsurdity]

Music does not belong in instructional videos. This particular music with the look of this particular video was so bizarre it was actually funny. The music undermined the professional look of the video. Honestly couldn't stick with it. I was out at 44 seconds and that was on double speed with some short jumps forward.

[@polyvance]

Music is in plenty of instructional videos, both online and offline. This particular video is over 3 years old. We have much more suitable music on our newer videos. All of our videos have captions on them, so if you absolutely cannot stand the music, but would like to receive the content, the video can be muted and the captions can be turned on. I am sorry you do not like this music.

[@scottb7600]

Closed Captioning works well on this video!

[@lornamurdocheaton624]

Yup! It was pretty horrible... like someone stood on a poor cat's tail and wouldn't get off! Excellent info in the video though, so thanks for the caption option.

[@richardrhodes5644]

Good video - really annoying background music.

[@edpontiff8448]

Good video except for that annoying background music ! Next video get rid of the music please !

[@polyvance]

Hi! This video is from 2016. We stopped using this music in 2017. Check out our newer videos if you'd like!

[@riskromer9773]

this is about plastic, why the metal intro? lol

[@polyvance]

Hello! This video was posted in 2016, so we can't change the music now. But, we haven't used this music since 2017. Check out our newer tutorials! Thankfully, all of our tutorial videos have manually added captions, so you could mute the video and still follow along.