Directions for Bonding Polyethylene

Flame Treating:

1. Fit a propane torch with a flame spreader.

2. Following the operating cautions of the propane torch, ignite the flame.

3. Observe the flame in a darkened room, noting the primary (bright blue) and secondary (faint yellow) portions of the flame.

Propane Torch

4. Adjust the flame so that the primary flame is contained within the spreader, and the secondary flame is 1-1/2" beyond the spreader.

Flame spreader showing primary flame

5. Treat the polyethylene to be bonded with the tip of the secondary flame by passing it over the polyethylene in 5 gentle strokes. Total exposure to the flame should be 2-3 seconds (.5 seconds per stroke). This light exposure should not deform or melt the polyethylene in any way.

Flame Treating

6. Test the polyethylene for bond readiness by wetting it with water. If the water runs off immediately, the treatment was not effective. If the water sheets-up on the surface, the surface is ready for bonding. If unsure, compare the water's action on the treated area with an untreated area.

Before treatment water beading

After treatment water sheeting-up

7. Bond joints within 1 hour after treating. Always prepare test bonds to be certain that flame treating is effective with your material.