The above formulation is manufactured by first blending the solvents together, adding the PVC resin and mixing until it is well dispersed and then adding the remaining ingredients while mixing. The solvent cement is generally applied to the substrate with a syringe or brush. In some cases the surface may be immersed in the solvent. The application method will depend on the solvent, plastic part, and production conditions necessary. With whatever application method is used, the solvent application must be carefully controlled since a small difference in the amount of solvent applied to a substrate greatly affects joint strength.

The above formulation is a low viscosity liquid that is applied to the substrates and then the substrates are brought together and held under moderate pressure until the solvent in the adhesive has had time to diffuse into the substrate and evaporate. PVC can be bonded with solvent solutions containing ketones. Methyl ethyl ketone is commonly used as a solvent cement for low and medium molecular weight PVC copolymers. High molecular weight copolymers require cyclohexane or tetrahydrofurane as solvent cements. The solvent cement described above works satisfactorily to bond flexible PVC to itself.

Fixturing of the parts to be bonded is generally required to make the parts immovable during the bonding processes. Movement of parts, such as what can occur when parts are held together by hand, may occur during the critical solvent cement’s setting period and cause weakening of the joint. Fixturing can be simplified by incorporation of locating features into the part design.