Bonding Corian to Corian. What to use?

I have some Corian stock in 1/2" sheets. I would like to "lay up" 3 sheets to have 1.5" stock that I can then CNC machine. It seems the "official" bonding material to use for Corian is only available to certified dealers, and a web search seems to indicate that getting a good strong bond is a difficult thing to do.

Does any one on here have a suggestion based on experience they have had for a good adhesive? It will need to take side load during machining (I may pin the sheets together to take that load). I also would like the adhesive to have nearly the same hardness of the Corian, or be very thin - it should not be obvious that the finished piece is made from multiple pieces. I will be using the machined part as a mold to make castings from, so I don't want the seam of the Corian to telegraph in to the cast part.

Any specific recommendations for brand and "flavor" of epoxy? Would simple caulk work? Other ideas?

Straight off the web: How to Glue Corian | eHow.com

You can get solid surface adhesives from Glue Warehouse or Integra Adhesives.
The problem is you need a rather expensive gun to use it.

You can use any slow setting epoxy. I'd add some filler like West System High Density filler.
With epoxy, sand it with very coarse sandpaper, and wipe well with denatured alcohol.
If using solid surface adhesives, you can use finer sandpaper to rough up the surface, but still wipe with the alcohol before gluing.

Well, if you follow that link, you will find it references the Corian adhesive, which as I stated in the original post, is not readily available...

I take it you don't have personal experience in bonding Corian? That is what I am looking for, and was hoping someone on this board may have relevant knowledge to share.

Thanks, those links got me in to the right chemistry, anyway (neither site has all that much specific data and pricing and online ordering don't seem to be their strengths)! I ordered some Methyl Methacrylate Adhesive from Extreme Adhesives. We'll see how that does!

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Originally Posted by mcphill

Well, if you follow that link, you will find it references the Corian adhesive, which as I stated in the original post, is not readily available...

I take it you don't have personal experience in bonding Corian? That is what I am looking for, and was hoping someone on this board may have relevant knowledge to share.

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Kept following links and found: Integra Adhesive, Surface Bonder Xi - Adhesive Brands - Adhesives, Applicators & Tips - Tools & Supplies : SurfaceNet, LLC

Not sure why that was so difficult.

As far as I know corian is pmma with filler. So the most dangerous (and beautifull) way of bonding pmma may work: chloroform

Ventilate well...

I use gap filling super glue all the time on corian. The corian will break before the joint lets go. Gap filling is nice because it generally isn't an instant set so you can position it. Freeman foundry supply has the best prices I've seen.

Derek

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Originally Posted by derek

I use gap filling super glue all the time on corian. The corian will break before the joint lets go. Gap filling is nice because it generally isn't an instant set so you can position it. Freeman foundry supply has the best prices I've seen.

Derek

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Are you bonding small parts are large ones? I am wanting to bond 12"x12" sheets together, and as stated, machine down the "block" from there. Will try this next, though, if the adhesive I bought doesn't work. Thanks for the hands-on experiece/feedback.

Acetone makes me lightheaded enough! Don't think I want to test this option... ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mcphill

Are you bonding small parts are large ones? I am wanting to bond 12"x12" sheets together, and as stated, machine down the "block" from there. Will try this next, though, if the adhesive I bought doesn't work. Thanks for the hands-on experiece/feedback.

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Yep
12 x 12 no problem. I use super glue because of the speed and strength.
A lot of times I'll rough something one layer at a time glueing sections on as needed. this saves a lot of glue and carving time. I then go back and make my finish passes. Also you want an adhesive that dries hard so that it machines cleanly.

Derek

I have had great results using super glue to bond large pieces of Corian together.

I like the Idea Super Glue I made a purpose built fan for gluing with it :D OOO my eyes and airways.