plastic

[saddlebum]

When I worked for Freightliner we used a burn test, using a simple lighter or small torch, to determine the type of plastic we were working with, prior to repairs. The chart we used was very similiar to this one.

http://www.boedeker.com/burntest.htm

 

EXAMPLE

 

Ignite the material with a lighter.

Note the burning characteristics of the material. A slow burning yellow flame with green edges dispelling white smoke that does not drip molten material signifies the material is PVC plastic.

Edited November 15, 2011 by saddlebum

[Yamamike]

Huh! Very interesting...I must perform a scientific test this evening!

[saddlebum]

When I worked for Freightliner we used a burn test, using a simple lighter or small torch, to determine the type of plastic we were working with, prior to repairs. The chart we used was very similiar to this one.

http://www.boedeker.com/burntest.htm

 

EXAMPLE

 

Ignite the material with a lighter.

 

Note the burning characteristics of the material. A slow burning yellow flame with green edges dispelling white smoke that does not drip molten material signifies the material is PVC plastic.

Here is a more simplified comparison.

 

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

• Yellow flame w/ green spurts
  
• Plastic does not drip
  
• Self extinguishing
  
• Smells like hydrochloric acid
  
• Plastic chars
  

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)

• Orange flame
  
• Plastic drips
  
• Burns slowly
  
• Black smoke w/ soot (floating particles)
  
• Acrid odor
  

[Yamamike]

Thanks Saddlebum! Didn't have a change to experiment last night...hopefully tonight!

[a1bummer]

This method is use by many of us in the scientific community in our labs in a controlled environment called "Flame Emission Spectroscopy". Here's a "WIKI" link, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emission_spectroscopy#Emission_spectroscopy

 

Thanks

Bill

 

When I worked for Freightliner we used a burn test, using a simple lighter or small torch, to determine the type of plastic we were working with, prior to repairs. The chart we used was very similiar to this one.

http://www.boedeker.com/burntest.htm

 

EXAMPLE

 

Ignite the material with a lighter.

Note the burning characteristics of the material. A slow burning yellow flame with green edges dispelling white smoke that does not drip molten material signifies the material is PVC plastic.

[Frank3]

I haven't inspected any of the panels on my VR yet , but most ABS will also have TPS stamped in it . This stands for thermal setting plastic . I believe most if not all ABS is also TPS .

The reason I mention this is because it is possible to ' weld ' , and heat to shape .

This can be done with a soldering iron with a spoon , or flat tip instead of the normal pencil tip ( most irons come with multiple tips ) , or a hot air welder which Northern Tool sells .

You will also need filler material , filler rods also at Northern , or any scrap on the same plastic , even pipe .

I have used this method by heating a screwdriver with a flame , and using it to melt and push the plastic around . Over heating the plastic can make it brittle , so some practice is required .

Out of all the methods listed in this thread , I have found welding to be the strongest .

With the thin panels on these bikes , a combination of methods may be the best approach . What ever works best for you .