Melting point of Kydex?

[The Lone Haranguer]

I am curious, because I left a (what I assume to be) Kydex holster exposed inside my car on a hot day (approximately 150, perhaps 160 degrees inside) and came out to find the integral clip melted, distorted and bent away from the holster.

Holster in question (purchased elsewhere, not from Glockmeister) I am thankful the plastic in my car is not Kydex, or it might have melted, too.

 

[the naked prophet]

Kydex doesn't melt so much as soften at "low" temperatures, like what you'd find in your car. That will, of course, depend on the exact composition of the kydex in question, I'm sure there are different compositions designed to soften at different temperatures. It is designed to be able to be shaped at temperatures reasonably achievable at home - in this case, it may be moldable with a hair dryer, since it softened in the car. I would try using a hair dryer to get it back into shape. Set it on medium, and if that doesn't soften it enough, switch to high. Form it very slowly, take your time or it may break.

And don't leave it in the car

 

[Ske1etor]

that is pretty shocking that Kydex melted at such low temperatures. I have a Comp-tac holster that can handle holstering a weapon after 300 rounds of fairly rapid fire. I promise the slide was hotter than the inside of any car I have ever entered and the holster did not soften in any way.

The MSDS for thermoplastic Kydex states that temperatures above 425 F should be avoided but does not state its melting point.

WBC Industries has a PDF online that states that KYDEX's recommended oven temperature for formability is between 350 and 375.

I would have to assume that the holster in question is not made of Kydex but another polymer plastic.

If it can't handle sitting in a car on a hot summer day I wouldn't put my gun in it. Guns get hot...

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I would have to assume that the holster in question is not made of Kydex but another polymer plastic.

Very possible. Nothing I've seen specifies that the holster is made of that particular plastic. It may be that Kydex has become a "genericized trademark" for any plastic holster. And it is also very probable that nothing would have happened if it had not also been exposed to the sunlight. I will be careful not to do this with plastic holsters in the future.

I would try using a hair dryer to get it back into shape. Set it on medium, and if that doesn't soften it enough, switch to high. Form it very slowly, take your time or it may break.

A little late for that ...