Melting and joining Corian

Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
M

massmanute

Member
Joined
Dec 5, 2010
Messages
8
Location
Utah, USA
Can Corian be melted, and more particularly, can one joint Corian pieces by melting them in an oven, possibly with the application of mild pressure to force the pieces together?

I realize there are adhesives for joining Corian, but my question deals with direct joining rather than using adhesives.

Thanks.

Alan
 
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
I was at a craft show/sale once where they had a stand set up with a bunch of toaster ovens and were heating the corian and then shaping the corian in various shapes and letting it cool. I never tried it. Carl
 
I don't know positively what the answer is, but I feel the answer will be no. Now heating it up and shaping it, absolutely. You can do the same thing with Alumilite..but don't try heating and shaping PR.
 
Maybe I'm too aggressive with my heat Steve..last time I had some PR in the oven I had to get out a chisel to scrape out the melted mass of plastic off the bottom. You have to work fast too, so the wife doesn't see it, but you can't hide the smell. :biggrin::beat-up:
 
From what's been said, I'd think heating it to the point that it is pliable would not let you bond the sides. To get it that hot, the pieces would likely deform. Just my opinion. Never tried it...
 
Last edited:
Steve,
I must have been absent when you posted your Rats Tale but following your Link I am and it sounds like a Cliche totally impressed by your hand filing threadcutting, imagination and completion of your workmanship. Indeed it makes my day.

Your friend Peter.
 
No idea about the corian question

Peter
Steve (skiprat) and Jim K (greeneyedblackcat) have the ability to make most of look at are work and think 1 of 2 things. "I don't know why I even try I cant compete with that." or "Now that is a level I strive to get to."
Most of the time I think #1
 
Bonding Corian

The answer to the original question is no.

Though the binder in Corian is 100% acrylic it comprises only about 30% of the material. Alumina-trihydrate is the main component of Corian. To melt the acrylic you need to reach 380 to 400 degrees F. Alumina -trihydrate changes chemical form and outgasses water vapor at 360 degrees F. The effect (besides smelling awful) is the same as sweating. The Corian will remain at 360 until all of the ATH is converted.

One might think that an acrylic chemical welder, like MEK (methyl-ethyl- keytone) would work. Alas There is not enough acrylic in the Corian to weld it this way.

Bonding with duPont seam adhesive will yield a strength of about 800 psi.

An industrial CA (properly applied and allowed to cure for 24) hours will yield a strength up to 3,800 psi.

The bending temperature for Corian is between 325 and 350 degrees F. The piece should be uniformly heated through in an oven with accurate temperature gauge.

I hope this helps
Ken

For more information on working with Corian see http://sites.google.com/site/coriartinc
 
heat for forming yes.... joining nope

Solid surface materials typically will be pliable around 290-300 degrees after baking it for 25 to 30 minutes if you can tie a 1 inch wide piece into a knot you can do pretty much whatever you want to it. but melding the the 2 pieces together.. It aint happening..
Also you have to be sure that the temp goes up slow and stays constant and that your heat isn't directly applied to the corian it will start smoking and the piece basically turn white( like the saw dust) and you just wasted a chunk of corian..
 
JAZNCARR said:
Solid surface materials typically will be pliable around 290-300 degrees after baking it for 25 to 30 minutes if you can tie a 1 inch wide piece into a knot you can do pretty much whatever you want to it. but melding the the 2 pieces together.. It aint happening..
Also you have to be sure that the temp goes up slow and stays constant and that your heat isn't directly applied to the corian it will start smoking and the piece basically turn white( like the saw dust) and you just wasted a chunk of corian..
Click to expand...
It just so happens that I went and picked up some scrap corian this afternoon. The owner told me I can heat it in an over to 325-375 degrees and it will be like play-doo.
 
I use it all the time they make a glue, i use CA. you can heat it to shape it but I have never been able to milt it unless you just want a mess
 
Corian can be glued with CA, the thinner the better. Overheating it releases a toxic gas and the smell is awful. Contact me if hyou need a hand with working with it as I have done a lot of bending.and joining.of it.
 
I use CA and do it similar to the you tube video. Works well and no seam shows. Turns easily with very sharp tools. Hone between sharpening gives a longer time frame between having to go to the grinder.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom