EMA Plastic Weld safety

[Guest]

Hi all,

Have just recieved from the shop some of the above. having read the label sounds scary stuff if comes into contact with the skin, but does not mention the effect, does it burn, irritate, cause dark and deadly consequences. If someone knows could you please advise, it says harmful if yiu are silly enough to inhale, but due to fat fingers I am more concearned in contact with skin .I would love the Tamiya extra thin but as with everyone impossible to buy in uk.

regards

Tony

[stona]

I'm not sure which solvent is the principle component of Plasweld but nearly all plastic cements use only one or two. I don't think you need worry about Plasweld any more than you would any other cement. Just take the normal precautions and you will be okay. I can claim a limited knowledge of the risks as I was,once upon a time, a chemist who specialised in organic chemistry.

If it says anywhere which solvents are in the product (MEK (methyl ethyl ketone),or dichloromethane for example) you can look up its properties.

Cheers

Steve

[PJP]

Plasweld

I use the stuff and like it.

It hasn't killed me in the couple of years I have been back modelling although I do nowhere near as much as I should or would like to...

[Guest]

It's dichloromethane, which can be absorbed by the skin (if you splash enough of it around) and cause damage to internal organs. Stick the bottle in a saucer, with bluetack, or similar, so that you can't knock it over, and you'll remove the main risk. When I was much younger, I became aware that I was getting spots/pustules just inside my nasal cavities, and realised it was after using DCM. Now, if I have to use it, the lid goes straight back on (and screwed down) after use. For general use, I'll use MEK, which has nothing like the after effects of DCM, but still do the "cap on, don't knock it over" routine.

Edgar

[stona]

Thanks Edgar. A quick shufty at the Material Safety Data Sheet would imply that dichloromethane is slightly more unpleasant than MEK. It has a health rating of 3 (severe) whereas MEK has a rating of 2 (moderate). These can sound more scary than they are,they relate to levels and durations of exposure too. I worked in a laboratory briefly where it was all explained but it was a long time ago! Really the same rules apply. Try not to knock it over (as above) and limit your inhalation of the fumes,everyone knows that sniffing glue is a really bad idea. Always put the lid/cap back on. I do this on economic grounds anyway,these compounds are volatile and if you leave them open you'll soon notice the levels going down! If it ain't in the bottle you are breathing it in. Minimise the amount of contact with your skin and if you do get some on you just wash it off. With a bit of common sense the levels of exposure involved in sticking a kit together really shouldn't entail a significant health risk.

I think it is a positive thing that people on the forums raise these issues, the use of masks for spraying comes up from time to time. It would be irresponsible to deny or minimise the risks but neither should we overstate them. If we all use our common sense and take basic precautions we should all be able to model away quite happily and safely.

Happy modelling!

Steve

[Dave W]

A little story on the hazards of breathing solvent fumes.In my early twenties whilst in the RAF i was working inside an F4 Phantom fuselage fuel compartment.I was using MEK to clean the fuel couplings before fitting the rubber bag tank.I was wearing a mask but it was an ill fitting item.After a while i had a feeling like i was floating around in mid air!.Luckily my safety man noticed something was wrong.He grabbed my collar and pulled me half out of the tank.So i learned the hard way.Thats why i do my modelling out in the shed with plenty of ventillation.

[Guest]

Tony, I use this stuff all the time, its great: about a year ago when I first used it I managed to spill a significant amount over my hand and onto the carpet. Apart from a fairly cold sensation for a few seconds there was no residue or marks left on my hand and the carpet was not touched. (More afraid of the Wife than this stuff.) Cheers Derek

[Guest]

Tamiya extra thin is easily available via ebay, as is Mr cement S which I prefer

EMA plastic weld is fierce stuff on styrene but I've never had a problem with it when it contacts my skin, I wouldn't want to take a bath in it mind you

After a few spills I made this

[Dave W]

Thats a really good idea.i recently knocked a new bottle of microsol over and lost most of the contents.I will copy your idea for my Microsol and Microset.