How to glue Cellulose Acetate Propionate (CAP-Plastic)
How to Glue Cellulose Acetate Propionate (CAP)
Cellulose is a naturally occurring polymer derived from wood pulp and cotton, chemically modified to produce cellulose-based plastics. The three main families of cellulose are ethylcellulose, cellulose nitrate, and cellulose esters. The four most commonly used cellulose esters are cellulose acetate (CA), cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB), cellulose acetate propionate (CAP), and cellulose triacetate. CAP, one of the most common cellulose-based polymers, is made by reacting cellulose with propionic acid and propionic anhydride.
Cellulose acetate propionate typically has a surface tension in the range of 30–45 dyn/cm. For precise values, refer to the manufacturer’s technical datasheets.
Cellulose-based materials are robust, abrasion-resistant, and used in applications such as coatings, films, sheets, molding, profile extrusion, and products like eyeglass frames and certain medical devices, thanks to properties like strength, flexibility, impact resistance, and chemical resistance.
Key advantages of cellulose polymers include clarity, toughness at low temperatures, abrasion resistance, glossy appearance, resistance to stress cracking, and good electrical insulation properties.
Plasticizers are often added to lower the melting point and modify physical properties. This reduces hardness, stiffness, and tensile strength, while increasing impact strength. Solvent resistance varies with cellulose polymer type, but generally, they resist aliphatic hydrocarbons, bleaches, ethylene glycol, saline solutions, and vegetable/mineral oils.
CAP is sold under trade names such as Tenite from Eastman Chemical.
Bonding
Thoroughly clean bonding surfaces to remove grease and dirt, ideally with a suitable non-oily cleaner. Apply adhesive evenly and press the materials together with proper pressure.
Suitable adhesives for CAP:
- Cyanoacrylate (super glue): Fast curing, strong adhesion.
- Methyl methacrylate (MMA) adhesive: Very strong, tough bonds, excellent chemical resistance.
- Solvent-based adhesives (acetate/propionate types): Can partially dissolve CAP surface and create a chemical weld.
Always follow the adhesive manufacturer’s specific curing and application guidelines. Test the strength and durability for your specific application.
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