dartman
Member
I'm wondering if you can melt acrylic blanks.I have a couple of acrylic blanks and would like to use them for a bottle stopper.Can I use low heat to melt them into a stopper mold?
Melting
- Thread starter dartman
- Start date
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
GaryT45
Member
I would try gluing them together before trying to melt them.
SDB777
Member
Ah.....no.
Don't do this....just order a blank the size you need from someone.
Scott (bet it'd make for a fine fire) B
Don't do this....just order a blank the size you need from someone.
Scott (bet it'd make for a fine fire) B
stonepecker
Member
That isn't wax you are playing with.
Glue them together (epoxy or CA) or order the right size.
Had one shatter and threw it into my burn garbage........the flames were very pertty.
Glue them together (epoxy or CA) or order the right size.
Had one shatter and threw it into my burn garbage........the flames were very pertty.
switch62
Member
The common type acrylic plastic is a thermoplastic and melts at 160C(320F). That's used for display cases, domes, etc that are formed from sheets. It is also used in injection moulded objects.
But "Acrylic" is now used to describe a range of different plastics. Many of them are thermoset plastics. Thermosets don't melt, they burn and/or crumble when heated.
I think most acrylic pen blanks are thermoset plastics, like Polyester Resin (PR). You can not melt these together.
Even if you have acrylic blanks that will melt it would be very dangerous to try melting and pouring into a mould. Even molten you will have a very thick, viscous liquid that won't pour well and will probably solidify before it gets into the mould. That's why it is injection moulded. Also you have toxic fumes, the possibility of fire, and hot, sticky,molten plastic on skin.
You're better off gluing blanks together as others have suggested. Or if you want to make your own, use PR or Alumilite and cast it into a mould. You can then add your own colours and make custom blanks. There are plenty of threads and library articles on the subject.
But "Acrylic" is now used to describe a range of different plastics. Many of them are thermoset plastics. Thermosets don't melt, they burn and/or crumble when heated.
I think most acrylic pen blanks are thermoset plastics, like Polyester Resin (PR). You can not melt these together.
Even if you have acrylic blanks that will melt it would be very dangerous to try melting and pouring into a mould. Even molten you will have a very thick, viscous liquid that won't pour well and will probably solidify before it gets into the mould. That's why it is injection moulded. Also you have toxic fumes, the possibility of fire, and hot, sticky,molten plastic on skin.
You're better off gluing blanks together as others have suggested. Or if you want to make your own, use PR or Alumilite and cast it into a mould. You can then add your own colours and make custom blanks. There are plenty of threads and library articles on the subject.
Last edited:
Woodkiller
Member
The fumes will be very bad for you and besides, as mentioned above, it won't work. You would be wasting a blank, and did I mention the fumes? Bad. 
dartman
Member
Thanks for the info guys,it looks like I will be getting some resin and making my own blanks.