One-shot View Of The Raw Material Warehouse For Hot Melt Adhesive.

Metallocenes

Metallocene hot melts are made from metal-catalyzed polyethylene. Compared to traditional hot melts, metallocenes have improved flow properties, better bonding strength, and lower application temperatures. They are also less dense and voluminous. As a result, less glue is required to reach optimal strength and get lasting bonds.

Metallocenes also have a long pot life, produce minimal odor, and lead to minimal stringing. They are ideal for high-speed packaging applications where cleanliness and low adhesive char are critical. Because they are often considered a premium product, they do tend to be more expensive than other types of hot glues like EVAs.

Polyurethanes (PURs)

One of the biggest benefits of PUR hot melts is their great strength. Unlike traditional hot melts, PUR hot melts will react with moisture in the air and undergo a chemical change instead of just a thermal bond. As a result, the bond will continue to strengthen over the next several hours, and that adhesive is not able to be remelted. While PURs tend to be more expensive than other chemistries of hot melt adhesives, they can also be used to replace more costly structural adhesives.

On top of their great strength, PUR adhesives offer a fast set time as well as great resistance to heat, chemicals, and moisture. These properties make PURs ideal for applications such as woodworking, automotive interiors, packaging, panel assembly, and more.

Amorphous Poly Alpha Olefin (APAOs)

In their truest form, amorphous poly alpha olefin or APAO hot melts are made up entirely of propylene, but they are also often combined with ethylene or butene-1 to change the characteristics of the adhesive. Compared to other hot melt adhesives like EVAs, they have superior heat resistance. They are also known for being chemically inert, so they have a higher resistance to moisture, oils, and other chemicals.

APAOs also tend to have long open times, cleaner machining, excellent cold resistance, and good flexibility. They are commonly used in packaging, hygiene products, automotive assembly, electronic assembly, and more.

Polyamides (PAs)

Polyamide hot melt adhesives are a high-performance adhesive known for their excellent heat resistance. Compared to other hot glue types like EVAs, they also tend to have better chemical and oil resistance, so they are desirable in applications where these properties are necessary, such as in automotive assembly. They are also used in woodworking, low-pressure molding, and electrical applications.

On the flip side, polyamides do have a shorter shelf life than other types of hot melt adhesive glues and can be more difficult to run in bulk tanks.

Copolyamide Hot Melt Adhesives

Copolyamide hot melt adhesives are a type of polyamide hot melt that are made from multiple polyamide monomers. Like polyamides, they are also known their great heat resistance and chemical resistance, but they are engineered to have enhanced flexibility and improve adhesion to a wider range of substrates. They are suitable for a wide range of applications, including textiles, footwear, furniture, automotive interiors, and more.

Copolyester Hot Melt Adhesives

Copolyester hot melts are a thermoplastic made up of multiple polyester monomers and are best known for their great strength as well as high resistance to chemicals and high temperatures. They offer a good balance of toughness and flexibility.

Depending on the product, they can be used to bond foam, fabrics, metals, plastics, and more. They can also come in powder form. Copolyester adhesives are commonly used with textiles, apparel, and automotive interiors.

Pressure Sensitive Hot Melt Adhesives

Pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs) are a special type of hot melt adhesive that is designed to remain tacky. With a small amount of pressure, they are able to provide immediate adhesion without requiring heat or solvents. The strength of the bond will depend on the specific product being used.

PSA hot melts are typically made of rubber, acrylics, or silicone. They can bond to plastics, paper, metals, glass, wood, and other materials, but they can lack the heat resistance of other chemistries of hot melt glues. They are a popular choice for marketing materials, packaging, bookbinding, labeling, and more.