gunDriller
2nd April 2012, 08:26 AM
I am writing to ask Youse Guys (and Gals) for Adhesive Advice.
I need to glue some pieces of metal tubing together for a home heating thing.
It's about 100 feet of tubing, a combination of aluminum, steel, and galvanized steel.
When it's done it will be about 212 degrees F on the outside, with an air intake taking in humid air ranging from 30 to 40 degrees, so I will probably get some condensation.
Most one-part adhesives say they need 40 degrees F or higher to set, though from my experience it's more like 80 degrees F for a good bond.
Since I don't have 80 degrees F to cure the assembled tubes, I need a glue that will set FOR SURE, and not let in any additional moisture - i.e., seal up ALL the holes.
The tubing is a variety of tubing that I collected at estate sales last summer - straight pieces, U-shaped pieces, 90 degree pieces, from lawn chairs, walkers, a whole variety of products that use tubing.
At the Home Depot, one of the guys was RAVING about polyurethane. I believe him, but the fumes are GNARLY until it cures, and since this will be piping air directly into my living space, I want to make sure that it is 100% cured before I use it.
Since the work area (outside under a tarp) is about 40 degrees, I was thinking, go with the 2-part epoxy.
What do you folks think ? Have you ever gotten a good 'set'/ bond from acrylic or polyurethane in cold temps ? Or bad results from epoxy setting up when it's 40 F ?
Most of my personal experience is with epoxy & silicone RTV. I have used acrylic in corporate design jobs, and have to admit that some acrylic adhesives are KILLER, but the acrylic adhesive I have access to is for gluing J-bolts to concrete, and they say it needs warmer temperatures to set up right.
I need to glue some pieces of metal tubing together for a home heating thing.
It's about 100 feet of tubing, a combination of aluminum, steel, and galvanized steel.
When it's done it will be about 212 degrees F on the outside, with an air intake taking in humid air ranging from 30 to 40 degrees, so I will probably get some condensation.
Most one-part adhesives say they need 40 degrees F or higher to set, though from my experience it's more like 80 degrees F for a good bond.
Since I don't have 80 degrees F to cure the assembled tubes, I need a glue that will set FOR SURE, and not let in any additional moisture - i.e., seal up ALL the holes.
The tubing is a variety of tubing that I collected at estate sales last summer - straight pieces, U-shaped pieces, 90 degree pieces, from lawn chairs, walkers, a whole variety of products that use tubing.
At the Home Depot, one of the guys was RAVING about polyurethane. I believe him, but the fumes are GNARLY until it cures, and since this will be piping air directly into my living space, I want to make sure that it is 100% cured before I use it.
Since the work area (outside under a tarp) is about 40 degrees, I was thinking, go with the 2-part epoxy.
What do you folks think ? Have you ever gotten a good 'set'/ bond from acrylic or polyurethane in cold temps ? Or bad results from epoxy setting up when it's 40 F ?
Most of my personal experience is with epoxy & silicone RTV. I have used acrylic in corporate design jobs, and have to admit that some acrylic adhesives are KILLER, but the acrylic adhesive I have access to is for gluing J-bolts to concrete, and they say it needs warmer temperatures to set up right.