How does Plast-aid Work?

 

When Plast-aid Powder and Liquid are mixed together, the Liquid dissolves the Powder and chemicals in the Powder known as catalysts are released.  In the presence of the catalysts and other chemical forces, the Liquid and dissolved Powder molecules begin to link to each other, forming a chain of molecules, using a process known as polymerization.  As these chains get longer, the material converts from a liquid to a solid.  These chains continue to grow longer until there is no more liquid left to build the chains.  As the chemical reaction completes, all the liquid becomes consumed and the reaction is chemically satisfied resulting in a solid material.

 

Energy in the form of heat is released as part of the reaction.  Depending upon the amount of material, it is usually warm enough to feel the material get warm and then cool down as the reaction completes.

 

The practical understanding of this information is so you will know when to apply Plast-aid to a broken part and how long it takes for Plast-aid to “dry” so it can be used again.  It is often the case that the user wants to use Plast-aid to bond two or more parts together.  Plast-aid usually has some solvent bonding going on between the Plast-aid mixture and the part. But this function is minor in comparison to the polymerization of molecules as described above.  You want to apply the Plast-aid mixture to the part(s) while the mixture it is very wet, even if most of it drips off.  Think of it as applying a coat of wet paint over the area. If you are painting over more than one piece, do all of them at once. This allows the single molecules in the mixture to link to the molecules at the surface of your part.

 

As Plast-aid thickens on the part and in the mix cup it will get creamy like wood glue and then like toothpaste.  As Plast-aid thickens on the part, you can touch the pieces together to get them to hold.  Sometimes weights or rubber bands can be used to hold them together – or just use your fingers to hold them together.  An additional layer of Plast-aid can often be applied while in the toothpaste stage to give it thickness, which gives it additional strength.

 

As mentioned above, Plast-aid gives off heat and then cools down as the reaction completes.  Users are often used to waiting for glue to “dry” for 24 hours to let the liquid component of a wood glue to evaporate out.  But in Plast-aid’s case, the liquid converts to a solid.  And when it’s a solid, its done.  You don’t have to wait past the time the material cools down.  So when using Plast-aid you don’t have to way for Plast-aid to “dry”, you just wait until it finishes “curing” – for it to cool back down.  At that point, it’s done.