Emergency acrylic repair-please help!

[soglf]

Hi everyone,
I work at MIT Sea Grant, and we're working with an artists at MIT's List Center. There's an exhibition opening tomorrow that involves a glass ROV (how we're involved) that will be submerged in a 4' tall acrylic cylinder, 2' diameter, about 1/2"-3/4" thick filled with mineral oil. THE ACRYLIC HAS A CRACK!!! about 2" from the base, about 4" long (at least that we can see) and doesn't seem to be all the way through, but hard to tell.

ANY SUGGESTIONS? Anyone know someone who does emergency acrylic repair around Boston? And the best part.... the exhibit opens tomorrow!
Please call our engineer, Mike Soroka, on his cell at 401-932-9361
Thanks for any help!

 

[s_kelley]

I think you could use some WeldOn #16 and use it as a filler. There are others on here that have more experience than I do though.

 

[gweston]

Yeah the WeldOn#16 effectively melts the acrylic. If you smeared it around it might seal the crack.

Another idea along similar lines that would result in a stronger fix. Go to home depot. Get some acrylic sheeting (1/4" sufficient?). Have them cut a square/rectangular patch piece for you. Use WeldOn#16. Patch the hole.

I'm not sure any solution will be 'pretty'. The repair will be visible. Be sure to not get WeldOn on your hands.. I suspect it isn't very healthy.

Oh search the forum for where to get the WeldOn in the Boston area.. Not all places carry it.