View Full Version : Repairing Polycarbonate
alanf
July 7th, 2008, 02:23 PM
Hi,
I have an Ikelite housing with cracks that slowly leak around one of the controls (The on/off switch on a EOS350D). Sending back to Ikelite is not an option. Does anybody have any idea how I can repair polycarbonate?
As far as I can tell epoxy is not going to work. This housing will never go deep again, and I really don't care how it looks. I have another housing that has replaced this one but it would still be nice to have the old one good for something.
Any ideas appreciated!
Cheers,
AlanF
lmorin
July 8th, 2008, 02:10 PM
No, epoxy won't work. You need to bond (not glue) the polycarbonate to itself. Look here (http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=50945&page=1). Google is your friend.
DRsharky
July 12th, 2008, 10:08 PM
Hi,
I've got IKELITE housing as well that cracked. I tired almost everything possible and finally fixed it with simple plumbing ABS cement for plastic ABS pipe, you can buy at any hardware store, Home Depot etc. I used "Oatey ABS cement", premium grade yellow solvent. It's not transparent, but works.
I used Dremel tools to cut V - shape groove in the crack from the inside and filled with the cement. The next day I tested it in 130 ft and it's been holding like new.
Good luck and let me know how it worked for you
Happy diving :sharkattack:
mddolson
July 14th, 2008, 02:58 PM
Polycarbonate can be solvent cemented with methylene chloride.
It is available from chemical /solvent suppliers like Ashland Chemicals.
It is a nasty chemical, both poison & carcenogenic. Use in well ventilated area.
Make sure you're upstream in the air flow, do not contact with skin it's corrosive as well.
Just brush it onto the cracked areas, it will wick into the cracks.
Make sure all stress is relieved (remove screws clamps, rivets etc) before hand.
Any stress will increase cracks when solvent is applied.
Mike D
alanf
July 14th, 2008, 05:26 PM
Thanks for the advice. I'm travelling at the moment but will be back home next month. I will try whats suggested and report back.
As for google being my friend I have searched a lot for this and really didn't get very far. Thanks for the link though its all becoming clearer.
Cheers,
Alanf
