Heating and Bending Plastic

FunkyCowie · 6 Oct 2007 at 17:00

This isn't for a case, I have another project, however I think some one on here might know the answer.

I have some 3mm mirrored acrylic which I need to slightly curve, according the the tech sheet the softening temperature of the acrylic is 100C does anyone know of a safe way of heating it to that kind of temperature so I can bend it and let it cool to the desired shape?

thanks!

PhillyDee · 6 Oct 2007 at 18:02

Unless you have proper equipment it may be difficult. But as a hint, water boils at 100C. How big is the acrylic?

waso_dude · 6 Oct 2007 at 18:17

heat gun if your carefull.

FunkyCowie · 6 Oct 2007 at 18:18

Thought about water, and I guess I could test a piece, but my concern would be the mirrored backing peeling off as I'm not sure how it is attached. The piece I will need to soften might not fit in a pot of boiling water... having said that I don't need to bend the entire section. It's about 36cm by 16cms... Its for an artistic project.

waso_dude said:
heat gun if your carefull.

As in what you would use for paint stripping? Small doses at a good distance to gently heat it might work I guess...

balls · 6 Oct 2007 at 18:20

If you have children or know of any teachers who work in a Design tech department of a school, you could see if you could go and use their machinary, they use strip heaters, been quite a few years since I used one though.
Just as an after thought an old heater that uses a straight heating element might work...

FunkyCowie · 6 Oct 2007 at 18:23

Sadly no...

fonetech · 7 Oct 2007 at 07:54

if you want a right angle, put the perspex in a vice and gently heat both sides with a heat gun.

obviously dont hold it to close, if your patient then you can shape it perfectly

FunkyCowie · 7 Oct 2007 at 09:29

ok cool thanks! I won't need anything as severe as a right angle but I'll try the heat gun as the water idea involves potentially annoying the wife by ruining a saucepan

PhillyDee · 7 Oct 2007 at 12:28

FunkyCowie said:
ok cool thanks! I won't need anything as severe as a right angle but I'll try the heat gun as the water idea involves potentially annoying the wife by ruining a saucepan

Then its obvious, try the water first

FunkyCowie · 7 Oct 2007 at 14:10

Aww no couldn't do that she's so sweet, though she is kinda cute when she's angry

gary996 · 7 Oct 2007 at 15:21

you need to use a heat mat

malfunkshun · 7 Oct 2007 at 18:17

about 2 feet above the hob when I do it (its electric), or the top of the toaster for small, thinner bends......
If the piece will actually achieve the curve you want while cold, clamp it into position and shape and hit it with the heat gun then let it cool.

FunkyCowie · 7 Oct 2007 at 21:01

interesting... I have not attempted yet as I need to cut the desired shape out first but I have purchased a heat gun that is adjustable from 300 - 600 its only a cheap one as I doubt I'll use it for much else. But your methods are interesting.