Sealants

Polyethylene and polypropylene are resistant to solvents and will not chemically bond to each other or to other plastics or metals. Adequate mechanical bonds may sometimes be obtained with the following sealants:

PVC & ABS Cement: This common cement mechanically bonds porous polyethylene or polypropylene to solvent sensitive plastics such as PVC, styrene or ABS in applications where minimal to moderate pressure or stress will be encountered.

Two-Part Epoxy Systems: This system can be used to bond porous plastics to metal. It is the strongest of the mechanical bond systems.

Silicone Sealant: This material normally yields a very good seal under low to moderate stress, but the mechanical bond is not as strong as the above methods. It is adequate for bonding porous plastic to other porous media and possibly metals. It is not recommended for bonding to solid polyolefins such as polyethylene or polypropylene.

The above mentioned methods are dependent on the sealant material to penetrate into the pores of the porous plastic.