Len Alter talks about welding tips, pvc and non-pvc welding tips, and why its important to use the correct one.

The second type of welders is the Kamweld Original Series Welders. They are both analog and digital welders.  For strength and long usage life, these welders feature heating elements, outer barrels and ventilated inner barrels all constructed from stainless steel.  All of Kamweld’s Original Series Welders operate off of factory shop air (compressed air). Welding temperature is precisely adjusted by rotating an air regulator until the desired air pressure is reached on the pressure gauge. The Fusion welders from Kamweld’s Original Series Welders are exceptionally precise, able to hold welding temperatures within 2 to 3 degrees Fahrenheit throughout a welding job. They will also heat up within 60 seconds to the right use temperature, versus standard welders which average 5 minutes to reach the desired welding temperature. The Fusion welder also features premature element burnout protection since the heating element automatically shuts off when too low of an airflow value is detected.  Finally, Kamweld’s Original Series Welders use heating elements that range from 350 to 900 watts to accommodate both slow and fast welding speed applications with a 950 °F maximum air temperature.

“We feel that giving welding professionals a choice in welding technology is the best approach to serving our customers”, said Len Alter, Kamweld Product Manager, “We’ve done that by expanding our offering to include both Kamweld Original Welders, including our Fusion welder, and Kamweld Welders manufactured by Bosite”

For more information on Kamweld Original Welders or Kamweld Welders manufactured by Bosite, please visit, http://www.kamweld.com or email sales@kamweld.com

The so-called mineral acids normally attack metals. In the same regard, organic solvents, being similar to the thermoplastic materials, have an equivalent effect on thermoplastics. As a general rule, for the thermoplastic materials dis­cussed in this article, the degree of attack with organic solvents increases in order with the fol­lowing common solvents: Alcohols, ketones, esters, aromatic and chlorinated solvents. Linear polyethylene and polypropylene exhibit some­what more resistance to organic solvents than rigid polyvinyl chloride, modified polyvinyl chloride, and ABS. Attack by organic solvents results in a very distinct softening of the speci­mens and some solution occurs in most instances. The higher resistance of polyethylene and poly­propylene to organic solvents indicates the reason why no suitable solvent cements have been developed for these two classes of materials.

Stress cracking can occur with all the ma­terials covered. However, Type I, Grade 1, rigid polyvinyl chloride and polypropylene have rather rare instances of stress cracking. The stress cracking potential, in increasing order, is as follows: Type II, Grade 1, PVC, modified high impact PVC, ABS compounds, and linear polyethylene. Some surface active materials such as soaps, de­tergents, and other wetting agents, will adversely affect linear polyethylene. Highly oxidizing acids such as high concentrations of nitric and chromic acids will accelerate stress cracking activities on the aforementioned materials. Im­mersion tests for stress cracking environments should include a static loading of the test speci­men. Methods have been outlined for metallic materials and could be applied for thermoplastic materials in the same relative manner, taking into account the applicable differences in working stress.

Higher temperature applications in corrosive environments are similar to those for metals with respect to increased corrosive attack. Corrosive attack will increase at temperatures some 5-15°F below the heat distortion point. Substantial increases in penetration, as well as weight gain, will become apparent as temperatures approach the heat distortion point. This is especially apparent with chemicals whose higher rat­ing drops from room temperature to a lower rating at the higher limit shown. The decreased corrosion resistance tends to coincide with the upper physical operating temperatures with respect to working stress.

Welds made with ABS compounds, linear polyethylene, and polypropylene will be more subject to stress cracking if inert gases are not utilized in the welding operation.

One of the prime advantages of thermo­plastics is, of course, their high resistance to chem­icals and to subsequent corrosion. Extensive data on the chemical resistance of thermoplastics have been gathered over a period of years. This information may be considered as a basis for rec­ommendation, but not as a guarantee. Materials should be tested under actual service conditions to determine their suitability for a particular purpose.

Material suppliers will be helpful in supply­ing as much information as possible on any of their products. It is rather difficult to publish precise corrosion-resistance information because of the many different possible combinations that can affect the results — temperature, the ma­terial and its consistency, stress and strain, con­centration of the attacking agent, and time of exposure.

And don’t forget, Kamweld has an excellent assortment of welders in a wide variety price ranges, we encourage you to check our welders out at Kamweld plastics welders online store