Leading Hot Melt Adhesive Manufacturers

Raw Materials Used

Certain raw materials are used in hot melt adhesives that give unique properties to these adhesives. These can be certain polymers, antioxidants, resins, plasticizers, and waxes.

Polymers

Polymers are the basic constituents of hot melt. Most physical properties are due to these polymers, such as heat and impact resistance, flexibility, strength, and viscosity. Therefore, greater the amount of polymer will be the viscosity, toughness, and flexibility of the adhesive.

Resins

The presence of resins in adhesives is responsible for their stickiness or the time it will stay intact on the surface. Therefore, the more the amount of resin in the adhesive means it will be less sticky and tougher.

Waxes

Waxes in adhesives are responsible for their opening and set time. The waxes used in hot melt are usually synthetic wax, microcrystalline wax, and natural wax. The lower the wax content in the adhesive, the greater the viscosity of the adhesive.

Antioxidants

Antioxidants protect the material from degrading over time with hot melt adhesives. Usually, the antioxidants that are used are aromatic amines, phenols, BHT, phosphites, and phosphates. The antioxidants do not affect the physical properties of the hot melt.

Plasticizers

Plasticizers are the most used additives in hot melt, providing toughness and flexibility to the adhesives. These are hydrocarbon oils with aromatic content as that of paraffin. Plasticizers have low volatility and give adhesives lower melt viscosity and faster wetting.

Suitable Substrates for Hot Melt Adhesives

Hot melt adhesives are suitable and best for many different types of substrates compared to other adhesives. However, hot melt adhesives are safer to use on the following surfaces.

• Wood
• Plastics
• Paper
• Corrugated Cardboards
• Glass
• Metal
• Fabrics

Manufacturing Process of Hot Melt Adhesives

The manufacturing process of hot melt adhesive is as follows.

• These are thermoplastic which becomes malleable upon heating and hardens on cooling.
• The raw materials used in these adhesives are put in one place, where it hardens itself into the end product.
• These hot melt adhesives are heated and melted to a liquid form.
• This liquid is sprayed or rolled on the substrate to let it stick.
• After spraying, it is left for setting time, and two surfaces are brought together.
• Sometimes, both surfaces are compressed together for optimal binding.

Types of Hot Melt Adhesives

Following are the types of hot melt adhesives.

Ethylene Vinyl Acetate

Ethylene vinyl acetate, also known as EVA, is used in the standard packaging of industrial hot melt adhesives. EVA is very well-known for various applications because of its great performance range. EVA can work well in low temperatures as well as in traditional temperature applications.

Polyethylene Adhesives

Polyethylene adhesives are light-colored, have low odor, and can be released easily from metal surfaces for easy cleanup. This polymer is best known for working for tray selling and carton applications. However, these adhesives are not suitable for bonding substrates.

Metallocene Adhesives

Metallocene adhesives are combined with other components to stabilize hot melt products. These adhesives give storage temperature strength in both cold and hot temperatures. Upon heating, metallocene minimizes the breakdown that occurs due to heat exposure by expanding hot and cold bond performance.

Amorphous Poly Alpha Olefins Adhesives

APAO is used in areas where there is a long working time and adhesion to plastic is required. The texture of these types of adhesives is tacky, soft, and very flexible.

Polyamide Adhesives

Polyamide adhesives are best used where there is a need for high-temperature resistance. These adhesives also work best where quick assembly strength and solvent and oil resistance are needed. Polyamide adhesives are excellent for wood, filter, and other high-performance applications. However, these adhesives show little stability when brought to heat.

Applications of Hot Melt Adhesives

• Hot melt adhesives are used in electronics to facilitate electrical interconnectivity, protection, and structural integrity.
• These adhesivesare also used in the automotive industry for seating, accessories, and trim assemblage.
• Medical devices also use these adhesives in manufacturing and designing safe materials and equipment.
• Paper containers and the packaging industry also use hot melt adhesives for packaging.
• The transportation industry uses hot melt adhesives as a replacement for metal fasteners.
• The food and beverage industry uses hot melt adhesives as these help in reducing material waste.
• The woodworking and furniture industry uses these adhesives in cabinets, paneling, and other furniture assembly applications.
• Hot melt adhesives are also used widely in bookbinding.

Choosing the Right Hot Melt Adhesives Company

To make sure you have the most constructive outcome when purchasing Hot Melt Adhesives from a Hot Melt Adhesives Company, it is important to compare at least 5 or 6 Suppliers using our list of Hot Melt Adhesives manufacturers. Each Hot Melt Adhesives Manufacturer has a business profile page that highlights their areas of experience and capabilities and a contact form to directly communicate with the manufacturer for more information or request a quote. Review each Hot Melt Adhesives business website using our proprietary website previewer to get an idea of what each business specializes in, and then use our simple RFQ form to contact multiple Hot Melt Adhesives businesses with the same form.