Acrylic - poisonous fumes?

formica · 09-04-13, 03:58 PM

I'm looking at some options to build a new enclosure for my CRB in a few months, ive found a great source for Acrylic, which would reduce the labour and cost significantly compared to glass, but a quick scan of google has brought up the issue of poisonous fumes coming from Acrylic when heated, i've only heard of this in relation to PVC before now, and cant find much about the issue - does anyone have any more info?

The enclosure would never be heated to higher than 31C via UTH and a pulse thermostat @ the basking area, I find it a bit difficult to believe that dangerous fumes would be released at that temp?

LarryS · 09-04-13, 04:19 PM

My guess is that this pertains only to the amount heat used for bending/cutting or higher. This is also true of PVC.

The best bet is to have good ventilation when working with any product and read the MSDS before hand.

Even an RHP isn't going to generate the heat required to reach the melting point of PVC for example which is approx 300 degrees. The surface temp on my heat panels never exceeded 195 degrees.

Acrylic makes an excellent herp enclosure if used properly.

formica · 09-05-13, 06:17 AM

that is my guess too, i wont be doing any heating to work with it, just cementing and drilling ready cut pieces

do you know if there is a particular type of PVC that is used for enclosures? The only one ive found that is a reasonable price is something called Foam PVC, but I cant find much info on what it actually is, its allot cheaper than Acrylic, but i dont know if it is as strong or useable

LarryS · 09-05-13, 08:39 AM

Most of the PVC caging is an expanded PVC sheet product.

It is very easy to work with.

I'm not sure where you would find it in your neck of the woods, but would start by searching plastic supply or even a sign shop.

formica · 09-06-13, 09:49 AM

lost count of the number of emails i sent, but I finally found it, hopefully will have it within 7 days, PVC structure with Acrylic front door, LED strip lighting and heat cable, just need to find some good hinges - quite excited about the possibilities of working with PVC, i love wooden enclosures for the same reason, but I'm sick of trying to maintain high humidity without the damn things falling to pieces lol

thanks for ya help!

formica · 09-06-13, 09:50 AM

planning on getting some Weldon 40, seems like the best choice for joining acrylic to PVC, and PVC to PVC?

sharthun · 09-06-13, 10:04 AM

Cool! Keep us posted! I'm very interested!

LarryS · 09-06-13, 10:30 AM

Great!

I have used the weld on 40 as well as other weld on products and they work very well. I do advise testing you're methods with any of these adhesives though, some need a considerable amount of clamping pressure to be effective on PVC. I have also found that more adhesive is better than less to a degree, until it just becomes messy. Again on the PVC only. Acrylic is much easier to glue as long as you have a good edge IMO.

I have sources for hinges and latches etc. here in the states, let me know if I can help.

LED lighting is the way to go, looks "cool" too!

Take lots of pics!

formica · 09-06-13, 10:41 AM

thanks for the info - i've used acrylic to build small enclosures before, unheated for ant colonies, I was hoping that PVC would be as simple as that to bond, but it sounds like maybe not lol I'll get some off cuts in to practice with first!

the datasheet for Weldon 40 says it will hold after 10minutes, and be strong enough to work with after an hour, in your experience is that the case? the design I have for the door requires everything to be mm perfect, so theres no room for movement once ive glued everything - might have to rethink that if theres a chance of movement beyond 10minutes

any links to hinges and latches would be great, if just to check out what is available so i can match it up to UK stock - at the moment im looking at acrylic hinges, to save having to drill more holes than i need, its a shame these kind of speciality items arent easily available in DIY shops here, because it would be good to actually see and hold these things before buying them

I'll try and take pics of each stage and post a diary up! first viv will be a small one, 600x400x400mm, didnt want to spend too much money trying to build with a matirial ive not used before, if it works well i'm gong to replace all my enclosures with it, i'm tired of lugging around glass and wood!

LarryS · 09-06-13, 01:47 PM

I don't want to discourage you because PVCX really is great to work with. If you do a few practice glue ups to get the feel for it you should be fine.

I have found that most of these plastic adhesives will form a bond within the ten minute spec, but I never put much pressure on a glue up until it has cured overnight. The key as I mentioned is to make sure you have enough adhesive and use adequate clamping. Again this is for PVC.

What did you have in mind for latches?

formica · 09-06-13, 03:31 PM

I was thinking of using a single lockable latch in the middle

something like the bottom one, so I can keep the hole as small as possible: (but im going to find something better quality, the quality of the keys could be better and doesnt give me much confidence in the actual lock, esp in a high humidity enviroment)

and 2 neodymium magnet latches on each side (4 in total)

i'm using 6mm acrylic, so i dont think i need anything stronger than the lock to hold the door in, but I could easily add twist catches too it if needs be - this will be my first build using a swing door, ive only ever built open top and slide door, so any advice appriciated!

as for the hinges, no idea yet, only seen a few on ebay, and they dont look anywhere near good enough quality for what I want

Mikoh4792 · 09-06-13, 03:55 PM

How about the aluminum adhesive lock? Most of the lock will not make contact with the inside and I think it's rust-free too. I forgot the brand of the lock but it's pretty popular.

formica · 09-06-13, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikoh4792

How about the aluminum adhesive lock? Most of the lock will not make contact with the inside and I think it's rust-free too. I forgot the brand of the lock but it's pretty popular.

do you mean a lock which has an adhesive to stick it to the door, or is it something else? I've seen some which come with adhesive to stick it straight on, not sure I want to trust that tho, as im building the viv myself I can make a hole to fit a lock without to much fuss

aluminum does sound like a good idea in terms of preventing corrosion, i found some nice chrome and steel (surgical type steel) latches aswell, i'll keep looking til find the nicest looking one

Mikoh4792 · 09-06-13, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by formica

do you mean a lock which has an adhesive to stick it to the door, or is it something else? I've seen some which come with adhesive to stick it straight on, not sure I want to trust that tho, as im building the viv myself I can make a hole to fit a lock without to much fuss

aluminum does sound like a good idea in terms of preventing corrosion, i found some nice chrome and steel (surgical type steel) latches aswell, i'll keep looking til find the nicest looking one

Yes that's the one. I have one of those and the adhesive seems very strong.

LarryS · 09-06-13, 07:12 PM

formica I pm'd you some links to hinges and latches, hope it helps.