Hot Melt Glue Gun in the Laboratory Traditionally, the chemist has fabricated laboratory devices out of glass, metal, or wwd, but, today, much of the mcdem laboratory equipment is made of either polyethylene or polyproplene. The a t and durability of such items have made them welcome additions t o the laboratory scene; however, i t is common for such items, which have parts under tensile stress, to crack or break. Instead of ordering a special part or re-ordering the whole apparatus, a fast and satisfactory alternative is to the item ...,enair . -.............
There arc several inexprsivr hot melt glue guns un the market at hardware and building supply stores whrch will work quite well in the rapid and permanent repnlr of hnjken item,. The hut melt glur bonds uell tu polyrthglene and pdmn8pylene and forms n reliable weld on these materials. It alru repair* a number of other plastics as well as wad. The cracked sp~got on a 30-gallon polyolefin tank, whieh is used as a reservoir for distilled water, was repaired over seven years ago, and i t has eiven excellent service since. Cracked pans, tubing, and countless other items have been repaired with considerable savings in time and cost. Manv laboratow items have been comnletelv, fabricated with . oolvethvlene and nolwinvlchloride tubing- or nine. . . . . . . . The plumhing supply houses stock I'VC pipr which m n hc used to huild ruch items as a pnpet washer, pH ~ k c t n d storage e rack, or film washcr.'l'hr hot melt glur isslow tocool but sets up within n hnlf hour at most It aliu wurkr wiiiaclorily for hondrng elrctron~cboards to coscs and offers on expedient means for holding a *crew or bolt in place for such iwmr as switrhes and meters on electronic gear
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Howard P. Wllllams Box 5043. Sodher" Station Univeristy of SouIhern Mtsslssippi Hania=hnwc MS R9dnfi
Volume 59
Number 8
August 1982
655
