Questions You Should Know about Hot Melt Adhesive Wholesale

When it comes to adhesives, there are a ton of questions clients have but often find answers difficult to come by. This lack of information could cause you to use the wrong bonding agent and end up costing you a fortune. To ensure this doesn’t happen, the experts at Adhesive Products Inc. want to arm you with the most accurate information available and have, therefore, put together a list of the most frequently asked questions about hotmelt adhesives.

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1. What temperature should I have the glue set to?
Always check your TDS of your particular product, but generally, our hotmelt should be run at 350º F in the glue pot, hoses, and nozzles.

2. Why is the glue stringing, or creating angel hair?
This is caused by the glue being too cold as it leaves the gun. Hotmelt set at too cold a temperature will set up quickly, and will create angel hair. Check your temps, and raise the temperatures on the glue gun and hoses. Also, check the amount of glue you are applying, you could be wasting money by using too much glue.

3. Are their different glues for different papers or plastics?
Yes, please let us know if the substrates you are using are changing, or have certain coatings. It is a good idea to let us know even if you change your paper or box supplier. More and more corrugated boxes are using recycled papers, which shortens the fibers of the paper itself, and makes it more challenging to adhere to. We have worked long and hard to find solutions to these common issues, but we can’t help if we don’t know what may have changed in your production. We are more than happy to do some laydown tests in our lab to ensure you are using the right product. Certain coatings can change the chemical composition of the glue itself, so please let us know what you are using, and we can provide the solution.

4. Why is my glue not working?
Have you checked the temperature settings? Did you change your substrates or suppliers? These are two great ways to start troubleshooting. Glue knows how to do one thing, and very rarely doesn’t do what it is intended for. Keep in mind all the variables.

5. Do you have a glue for cold environments vs. hot environments?
Yes, depending on if you are gluing boxes for cold storage vs. ambient temperature, this will greatly affect the product you need. They generally will not work in both environments.

6. Will more glue help if I am experiencing pop opens?
No. Adding more hotmelt to a flap or a manufactures seam will only increase the drying time of the adhesive, and unless you compensate for this with adding more compression time, you will only make things worse. Check your glue beads. Are you applying too much, or too little? Is the bead still a perfect bead? Check your compression. You may not be squared up with your compression rollers or mandrel.

7. How do I know how much glue to use?
A great way to set your bead is to thin out the glue until you have failures, then slowly increase the amount of glue until you don’t see any more pop opens. That way, you ensure you are not applying too much glue, and you are on track to using less glue and saving money. Less is more.

8. Is Metallocene Hotmelt better than standard EVA hotmelts?
There is a common misconception that water white hotmelts are the best, and you should never go back to old technology. Metallocene or water white hotmelts have great cleaning properties and will save you money on keeping your equipment clean. It will also adhere to specific substrates enduring a wide range of environmental temperatures. So it has great thermal stability. Keep in mind, if you have difficult coatings or substrates, the older technology is still the best. You can still easily maintain your equipment and save money from buying replacement parts by having a healthy PM schedule to clean your machines. The true answer to this question really depends on your application, and in some cases, it is better, in some, it is not. Keeping an open mind and listening to your results are key to success.

Trying to figure out the right hot melt adhesive system for your needs? Have questions you need to be answered? Here are some common questions asked about our industry and products:

What are hot melt adhesives?

Hot melt adhesive, sometimes referred to as “hot glue,” is a thermoplastic material that is solid in normal conditions yet moldable under heat. In industrial settings, they are popular adhesive choice for product assembly because they can bond materials together quickly. Want to learn more about hot melt adhesives? Read our article, “What Are Hot Melt Adhesives?”

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What is a hot melt glue system?

A hot melt glue system is used to dispense thermoplastic adhesive for use in a variety of product assembly industries, including the manufacturing of mattress, carpeting, cars, cardboard boxes, textiles, and more. Want to learn more about hot melt glue systems? Read our article, “What is a Hot Melt Glue System?”

Do I need a manual or automated adhesive spray system?

Trying to decide if your business needs a manual or automated spray system? There are several things to consider. How big is your operation? What is your budget? What kind of demands are you dealing with? Learn more in our article, “Do I Need a Manual or Automated Adhesive Spray System?”

Can I customize my hot melt adhesive system?

At Sure Tack Systems, we offer a range of hot melt adhesive systems, including extrusion, slot coating, and wide web spray All of these can be partially or fully automated to help meet the assembly line needs of any operation. Learn more in our article, “Can I Customize My Hot Melt Adhesive System?”

What is a slot coating applicator and how does it work?

A slot coating applicator offers a fast and efficient application of adhesives to anything from mattresses to cardboard packaging to cars. Learn more about sloat coating applicators in our article, “What is a Slot Coating Applicator and How Does It Work?”

Why should I use an in-line spray handgun for hot melt adhesives?

An in-line spray handgun connects to an overhead mount, which can be adjusted to suit your requirements. This type of hot melt handgun has many advantages, which you can learn more about in our article, “Why Should I Use An In-Line Spray Handgun For Hot Melt Adhesives?”

Why do I have to change the seals on my hot melt glue equipment?

Hot melt adhesive equipment, like seals, needs regular maintenance to keep them running longer and more cost effectively. Learn more about seal maintenance in our article, “Why Do I Have To Change The Seals On My Hot Melt Glue Equipment?”

Why water-based adhesives are a thing of the past?

There are four types of water-based adhesives: animal or protein glues, resin cements, latex cements, and vegetable glues. Water-based glues have a long history, but for industrial use, their popularity is declining as hot melt glues grow in popularity. Learn more in our article, “Why Water Based Adhesives are a Thing of The Past?”

How bad are solvent-based adhesives for the environment?”

Despite the versatility of solvent-based adhesives is that they can adversely affect the ecosystem and human health in numerous ways. Learn more in our article, “How Bad Are Solvent-Based Adhesives for The Environment?”

Why is it important to have a flow adjustment lockout for your hot melt system?

If you’ve been researching adhesive application systems, you’ve probably come across the term “flow adjustment lockout”, but perhaps you’re unsure what it refers to. Learn more about these mechanisms in our article, “Why is it Important to Have a Flow Adjustment Lockout for your Hot Melt System?”

Whether you’re new to adhesive systems or looking to upgrade your current setup, Sure Tack Systems has the expertise and solutions to help. From training and support to customized configurations, our team ensures you get the most from your investment. Explore our full line of hot melt equipment and discover how we can make your production process more efficient and reliable.

Are you interested in learning more about Hot Melt Adhesive Wholesale? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!