Legos can crack, and they will also snap, chip, warp, bend, and break into fragments. This is because although they are made to be durable, they are also used for an astounding variety of functions.
It’s important to realize that Legos are now marketed toward a wider consumer group; they are no longer just toys for children. What Legos can do has also developed; this means that the pieces are smaller, finer, thinner, and more delicate than they used to be.
Lego pieces are, above all, interlocking construction units; this means they do a great deal of work, and the Danish manufacturer of Lego works hard to design and test pieces, examine consumer feedback, and modify their product.
What Will Cause My Legos to Crack?
Legos will crack for a variety of reasons that range from simple wear and tear to faults in the manufacturing process.
- Deterioration of the plastic because of light and heat can cause pieces to bend and warp, and to suffer minor fractures which can lengthen into cracks.
- Some people wash their Legos. Hot water and soaking can cause warping.
- Legos will fracture, chip or crack if they are caught underneath heavy items such as furniture.
- Cracks can result if something heavy lands on an already constructed Lego model.
- Legos can crack from excessive use, or excessive bending and pulling of the hinge pieces.
- Staying assembled for months at a time can cause certain pieces in the model to warp; this can cause fractures and then cracks.
Are Some Legos More Likely to Crack Than Others?
There are some Legos that break or crack even after a short amount of use. Legos are some of the most robust building blocks there are, but certain pieces, such as the flat board “cheese slopes”, will chip or snap if a lot of pressure is suddenly applied to them.
Cracks in Legos can also be the result of defective molds, worn out molds, or just substandard designs.
And interestingly, certain colors can be more prone to cracking and splitting than others, apparently because of the chemical composition of the different dyes.
Have Legos Always Been Made From the Same Plastic?
Legos were originally made from cellulose acetate, a plastic that held its color well, but warped very easily. Since 1963 though, Legos have been made from a plastic called acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). This is an industrial plastic.
As a plastic, ABS is easy to make, cheap and tough – and ideal for children’s toys. However, it is non-biodegradable and not always accepted for recycling.
But then in 2018, the company launched a sustainable brick – made from sugar cane. While the world wanted durability and strength (and Legos that did not crack), it also expected heightened creativity and of course, sustainability.
How Do You Fix Cracked Legos?
You can mend cracked Legos with a tube of quality glue, and one that is meant for plastic. You only need a very small amount at a time.
Not all pieces can be mended. Whether Legos can be salvaged or not depends on their shape and function within the constructed model. The flat thin pieces are the most difficult to mend.
Pieces that have cracked across the holes or studs are very difficult to re-join because any change to the precise contours of the pieces will change the way they join. A clean snap is the best break to try and restore.
- Clean the broken edges of dust.
- Use a small brush to apply a tiny amount of plastic glue on both fracture edges.
- Hold both parts together for no less than 30 seconds.
- Don’t touch the brick for at least 10 hours.
We recommend using a quality super glue like Gorilla Glue. Click here to check the current price and availability of Gorilla Super Glue on Amazon.
Why Do Lego Arms Break?
The Lego arms on mini figures are notorious for breaking, and this happens for a number of reasons:
- They are possibly not meant to come off.
- If they do come out, the process to remove them is easily
- The arms get a lot of use – the mini figures are built as action figures.
- Like all Legos, they also tend to deteriorate over time.
- Lego arms are used to hold things. This involves a lot of manipulation.
- Mini figures are often used for action play such as fighting. This involves wear and tear.
Do Legos Deteriorate Over Time?
The plastic used to make legos does break down over time, as do certain components of the manufacturing process.
The molds that form the blocks can wear down or wear out altogether. Designs can be faulty, and interestingly, certain colors are more likely to fracture than others.
When this happens, notify the company. Not only do they replace your items, but once an issue garners a certain number of notifications, they will review the product.
Delicate Pieces
Lego has released sets of flowers and bonsai trees to help people “feel calm” at home. The individual Legos continue to become smaller, more delicate, more functional, and more intricate.
Legos enthusiasts continue to report cracks and defects in their products, and the company continues to examine the data, and modify the items.
In 2021, the first Legos using recycled PET plastic from discarded bottles were manufactured. Results have been promising, especially the much promised “clutch power”, or how well individual Legos can hold on to each other.
Final Thoughts
Legos are used in a never ending variety of creative endeavors, and the individual pieces have a lot of different work to do. Not surprisingly, Legos can be damaged. You might discover all kinds of chips, splits and cracks on your pieces.
This is caused by general wear and tear, and also by the way you store, care for, and use your Legos.
The Danish company, Lego, continually research and reset their product goals; aiming to inspire the consumer and to preserve the environment and the resources they need.