QUARICAL EASY ABS REPAIR TECHNICAL DATA

1.   Description

 

Quarical Easy ABS Repair is a single part thick resin with over 50% ABS Solids. The resin is as thick as a heavy Greek yogurt and air cures. There is nothing to add or mix up, no hardeners or catalysts, simply apply it directly out of the applicator bottle. It takes about 24 hours to fully cure, in that time the solvents in the resin soften the existing plastic and chemically weld the new ABS into the repair. The result is a permanent waterproof repair that is hard, black, and shiny as a new ABS fitting. The bottle of resin is re-sealable and has a guaranteed shelf life of three years.

 

 

2.   ABS

 

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) Is one of the most common plastics in use today; however it is one of the most difficult to repair. ABS is an engineered thermoplastic with the chemical formula (C₈H₈·C₄H₆·C₃H₃N)n, formed by polymerizing styrene and acrylonitrile in the presence of polybutadiene.

 

Advantages of ABS

  • Impact resistance: ABS plastic is known for its excellent impact resistance, making it suitable for applications that require durability and toughness.
  • Strength and stiffness: ABS has good mechanical properties, including high strength and stiffness. Its ability to withstand loads and stresses makes it suitable for structural components.
  • Versatility: When it comes to manufacturability, ABS plastic is a versatile material that can be easily molded and shaped through various services, such as injection molding, machining and 3D printing.
  • Chemical resistance: The material exhibits resistance to a wide range of chemicals, including acids, alkalis, and various solvents.
  • Electrical insulation: ABS has good electrical insulating properties, so you will find it in electrical and electronic components, housings, and enclosures.
  • Surface finish: ABS plastic can be easily finished and post-processed for a smooth and aesthetically appealing surface.

 

Disadvantages of ABS

  • Poor weather resistance: The material is susceptible to degradation when exposed to sunlight and UV radiation. It can become brittle and discolored over time, limiting its outdoor applications.
  • Flammability: ABS plastic is classified as a combustible material and has a relatively low resistance to fire. It tends to melt and burn, releasing potentially toxic fumes. Flame-retardant additives can be used to improve its fire resistance.
  • Limited heat resistance: The material has a relatively low melting point, typically around 200-240°C (392-464°F). It may deform or lose its mechanical properties at higher temperatures, restricting its applications.
  • Dimensional instability: ABS has a higher coefficient of thermal expansion compared to other engineering plastics. This can lead to dimensional changes with temperature variations, making tight tolerances challenging to maintain.

 

Challenges in the repair of ABS

 

  • Expansion and Contraction ABS has a high rate of thermal expansion. When trying to find bonding agents to use in the repair most methods to not expand and contract at the same rate as the ABS this causes the bond to fail, the repair products to become un-bonded, and flake off leaving a contaminated surface that makes proper repairs difficult..
  • Bonding Agent Adherence to ABS Any 2 part epoxies, or any product sprayed or taped on, just sits on surface of the plastic. They may work for a short period of time but all will eventually fail.
  • Plastic Welding Failure Any welding process that uses heat to melt the repair together causes heat stress in the plastic. Plastic welding typically reaches temperatures of 200-240°C (392-464°F). Temperatures this high deform and cause the ABS to lose its mechanical properties. These types of repairs will eventually cause stress cracks to appear beside the welds.

How Quarical Easy ABS Repair Solves These Repair Problems

The repair resin is thick and is made with over 50% virgin ABS, we never use recycled ABS in our batching process. Used directly out of the applicator bottle. It takes about 24 hours to fully cure, in that time the solvents in the resin soften the existing plastic and chemically weld the new ABS into the repair. This solves the expansion problem as it is the same plastic with the same expansion characteristics and will not fail. The bond is a deep penetrating chemical weld and works on the same penetrating action that steel welding operates on. The repair becomes part of the plastic being repaired and will not fail. Finally our weld is a cold chemical weld that does not stress the plastic. The result is a permanent waterproof repair that is hard, black, and shiny as a new ABS fitting. The bottle of resin is re-sealable and has a guaranteed shelf life of three years.

 

3.   Expansion Characteristics

 

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) plastic exhibits a moderate linear coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), typically ranging between 6.4 × 10⁻⁵/°C to 11.0 × 10⁻⁵/°C (70–110 × 10⁻⁶/°C or roughly 3.5–5.3 × 10⁻⁵/°F).

Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion: 70–90 × 10⁻⁶/°C (standard general-purpose grades).

 

Dimensional Response: Expands and contracts noticeably with temperature shifts, meaning a 10°C change alters overall part dimensions/density by roughly 0.7–0.8%. I noticed the high rate of thermal expansion in my Hydroponic Greenhouse (seen in the video). I found that an 8 foot by 2 foot piece of 1/8” ABS expanded by ¾ inch with a 30 degree rise in temperature caused by direct sunlight.

 

4.   Tensile Strength

ABS Plastic has an ultimate tensile strength typically ranging from 30 to 50 MPa (approx. 4,300 to 7,200 psi), depending on the specific grade, temperature, and manufacturing process.

 

 

Product Specifications

Overview and Classification

  • Name – Quarical Easy ABS Plastic Repair
  • Substrate Compatibility – ABS plastics
  • Packaging: Single Kit:  4 Oz. Boston round squeeze bottle with application spout – Single part formulation – 4” X 5” X 3” box
  • Packaging: Double Kit:  2 – 4 Oz. Boston round squeeze bottle with application spout – Single part formulation – 4” X 5” X 3” box
  • Packaging: Commercial Kit: 16 Oz. Boston round squeeze bottle with application spout – Single part formulation – 11” X 8” X 3” box

 

Physical and Mechanical Properties

  • Bonding Methodology – Solvents soften the repair and as they evaporate weld the new ABS in the resin to the old ABS of the repair.
  • Plastic Stress – The chemical weld process uses compatible solvents in a cold process weld. This does not stress the plastic like a hot weld and will not weaken or crack near the weld.
  • Viscosity – 100,000 to 120,000 centipoise (cP)4
  • Color – Black contains carbon black for UV light protection
  • Work Time – The resin begins to skim over immediately on contact to the air. Work time is a maximum of 2 minutes. The resin will flow out and become smooth as it cures.
  • ABS Content – The resin contains 50% virgin ABS material.
  • Cure Time – The resin is fully cured within 24 hours.
  • Application – Apply directly from the bottle no hardeners or catalysts, nothing to mix up or add.
  • Shelf Life – We guarantee a 3 year shelf life if the seal cap is put on between repairs.
  • Flexibility and Hardness – The same hardness and flexibility as the original ABS being repaired. When fully cured the resin is hard, black, and shiny as a new ABS fitting.

 

Physical and Mechanical Properties

 

  • Tensile Strength – from 30 to 50 MPa(approx. 4,300 to 7,200 psi), depending on the specific grade, temperature, and manufacturing process.
  • Environmental Resistance – Good resistance to water and humidity, will degrade with some acids, akalas, oils, solvents, and fats. Good resistance to UV light degradation due to the addition of carbon black.
  • Sandability and Paintability – When fully cured the surface is sandable and accepts most paints. Flexible “for plastics” paint is advised
  • Machining Capabilities – When fully cured the repair can be drilled, tapped, and milled.