Plastic Type Identification (For repair)

Weird topic.

I have a broken oscillating fan. There's a piece of relatively hard plastic (the part that allows tilting of the head) which has cracked and broken. I'd like to identify the type of plastic to see what I can get for it. I didn't see any numbers anywhere on the parts that would identify it. I saw "ABS" written on one part, and tried a few things that confirmed it's not abs...

Thanks for any suggestions.

If it left the threads exposed just get a nut that will fit

SidV said:

If it left the threads exposed just get a nut that will fit

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Threads? There's no threads involved.

Why does the type of plastic matter? Just use anything to fix it.

Are you trying to weld plastic parts together?
If the plastic broke once. Plastic will break twice. Fix it with metal.

2com said:

Threads? There's no threads involved.

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so the entire piece that tightens the fan head for angle has no bolt type piece that has threads? How's it tighten the head in place? Anyways just get some plastic bonder and put the broken piece back on.

Would just buy another fan in my opinion. On election they fail will always fail again unless you can but and boot it back together. Duct tape or gorilla glue tape could be an option

2com said:

I'd like to identify the type of plastic

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This is what I'm asking how to do. If ya don't know, that's ok.

Autodoctor said:

Would just buy another fan in my opinion. On election they fail will always fail again unless you can but and boot it back together. Duct tape or gorilla glue tape could be an option

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Yes, this is so obvious. They aren't available to buy another.

Failmore said:

Why does the type of plastic matter? Just use anything to fix it.

Are you trying to weld plastic parts together?
If the plastic broke once. Plastic will break twice. Fix it with metal.

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I'm trying to identify what type of plastic it is because that's the correct way to properly "weld" or bond plastics, yup.

Certain plastics can be identified by applying various solvents, scraping, buring, etc. and examining the reaction (in lieu of an identifier).

Anyway, it's more a question for someone who knows from experience. I just put it out here in case they happen to come along (before I come across it else where).

Yes I know epoxy is a thing, before anyone suggests it.

Thanks guys.

2com said:

Yes, this is so obvious. They aren't available to buy another.

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o ok

How about some pictures

For example, if anyone is interested:

prob some sort of thermoplastic like polypropylene.

Asking for help identifying a type of plastic by giving us a few variables is like asking someone to tell you what car you have by saying it's got tires and heavy. If your actually interested in what type of plastic you need etc look up your fan make and model there will be information telling you what type of plastic is used. This is riu, so you know you should have provided details same as marijuana questions.

Anyways why are you even asking? You apparently have watched a YouTube video on it.

Abs is not the type of plastic for the fan housing, but fan blades.

You can fix plastic with fiberglass @2com . Use polyester resin if you want to save cash, epoxy resin is a better adhesive though. but 4x the $$$. Rough up the surface, put some activated resin down, add some mat, more resin, mat and give it a nice dab or 30 with the end of a paintbrush to flatten it out a bit. Should be very tough when dry.

I found a video series that detailed how to identify polymers/plastics by both burning, and density. Very cool. It was only for 6 different synthetic polymers, it didn't include abs.

And thanks @MustGro, for the suggestions.

Appreciate everyone's input.

when I want to weld plastics together when 3D printing.. I use SciGrip 16. It basically melts the pieces together. It works with a variety of plastics. Also you can tell if it's ABS with some acetone and see if it melts. I make ABS slurries sometimes when needing to smooth out or adhere ABS.

magnetik said:

when I want to weld plastics together when 3D printing.. I use SciGrip 16. It basically melts the pieces together. It works with a variety of plastics. Also you can tell if it's ABS with some acetone and see if it melts. I make ABS slurries sometimes when needing to smooth out or adhere ABS.

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Thanks for the SciGrip 16 advice.

Yea, I already tested it for abs (with acetone). And found out about slurries, tried some (with some known, plumbing abs). Pretty cool stuff. But the fan definitely isn't abs, unless it's some strange/different type of abs.

I think it has to be PETE, or "OTHER". I don't see how it could be PS.

Thanks man.

2com said:

Thanks for the SciGrip 16 advice.

Yea, I already tested it for abs (with acetone). And found out about slurries, tried some (with some known, plumbing abs). Pretty cool stuff. But the fan definitely isn't abs, unless it's some strange/different type of abs.

I think it has to be PETE, or "OTHER". I don't see how it could be PS.

Thanks man.

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Please let is know how it works out, I'm sure several of us have broken a fan. I just ordered the SciGrip 16, I know I'll find uses for it and want it on hand.

Gorilla glue (polyurethane) can be messy but it's tough stuff. I repaired an expensive car mirror with super glue and then built up over it with Gorilla. An
acrylic like SciGrip would have been a lot less work than applying layers of Gorlilla.