I am trying to make a hinge on a flap - any advice? e.g. Book binding materials??

[ship69]

Hello 

 

I am trying to create a "hinge" on a flap on my model.  The flap is about  5cm x 30cm x 3mm. The flap needs to move freely, without resistence.

Materials

My current model is made from styrene and s far I have been trying to use various types of adhesive tape (e.g.Diamond Sellotape, 3M's Crystal Tape) but they fail to resist contant loads very well (esp when the model is left in direct sunlight, where they seem to just melt!) 
 

I have also tried type types of specialist 3M tape:

A) I tried 3M's  "4411N Extreme Sealing Tape" but it is way too thick.  

I then tried 3M's  "396 Super Bond Polyester Film". It is nice and thin - which creates a nice, freely flapping hinge - but the adhesive is made from rubber-resin. This adhesive is extremely tacky and has a strong "grab", however it eventually tends to fail (and shear) when under a sustained load. This is particularly bad in warmer temperatures (such as direct sunlight).  
i.e. The core problem is that the adhesive never actually sets!

 

So now I am wondering about using book binding materials. However I know almost nothing about this subject! 
I am wondering if I could find a finely woven fabric or cloth of some sort (e.g. Bondaweb? Vilene/Solufleece? maybe silk even??), together with some sort of flexible adhesive that actually sets. (e.g. PVA adhesive??)

Also, rather than using styrene to model with, possibly I could use some form of "dead trees" such as MDF or hardboard (AKA High-Density Fiberboard (HDF)?

Any thoughts?

 

Cheers

 

J

 

 

Edited September 10, 2019 by ship69

[uncletommy]

Might want to check out 3M Blenderm clear surgical tape.  Not sure how it would work in your application but I know that the RC airplane folks use it for hinging control surfaces.

[Vicarage Vee]

Would a strip of latex-type material, the type on an exercise band like this or even cut from a Marigold glove do?

Edited September 10, 2019 by Vicarage Vee

[BIG X]

this any good...

 

https://www.wessexpictures.com/Lineco_Linen_Hinging_Tape.html

 

If you ignore the bit about the glue being reversible with water... use cyano instead of water and it's never coming off...

[thorfinn]

10 minutes ago, BIG X said:

use cyano instead of water and it's never coming off.

Just a thoughtful FYI based on sad experience; CA on fabric in such 'flexible' applications tends to act as a built-in knife edge. It will likely start tearing at the bond line after not much use.

[BIG X]

10 minutes ago, thorfinn said:

Just a thoughtful FYI based on sad experience; CA on fabric in such 'flexible' applications tends to act as a built-in knife edge. It will likely start tearing at the bond line after not much use.

…alternatively there is a 'self' adhesive version that doesn't rely on water for 'gumming'...

 

self adhesive linen tape

[Schwarz-Brot]

Basematerial wood instead of foam, preferably some sort with heavier grain to give some teeth for the glue. If you work with foam, I personally have very good experience with "Planatol BB", a specialised bookbinders PVA glue that is strong while it stays flexible enough to be used on paperback spines. Specialised because it is formulated to also bind plastic materials to normal paperlike materials and because it is waterresistant once dry. Since I do some Bookbinding myself I have quite a bit experience with this stuff. It can be dilluted with water to better soak into the grain or fabric or foam, whatever you use - give it a moment to settle a bit, then reapply unthinned.

As hinge there's material out there called bookbinders linen - which is fabric backed with paper, so the glue won't squeeze through. Might be too thick for your application but will never wear out. Most book hinges are made from strong paper (Packing paper? Kraft paper? Don't know the english term). These are the hinges that connect the block to the cover on hardcover books, so obviously they can carry a lot of load. You may give that a shot, as it is really cheap compared to anything else.

 

All bookbinding materials work best when they are pressed with strong force while drying, might be hard in your case, but will help, if you can arange that.

[bhouse]

The R/C model aircraft fraternity use a lot of hinges which have to be small and unlikely to fall...

[krow113]

I would try some sign vinyl .

And make a score mark where the hinge line is so there is less material resistance to the action.

You might try aluminum tape as well.