Hot Melt Glue - Background

Hot melt adhesives differ from most other types of glues and adhesives in that the hot melt glue sticks, pellets, or blocks are heated to a molten state for application, and then cool to form a solid bond between the materials being glued. Thermoplastic polymers, plastics which become liquid when heated and re-solidify when cooled, are used as a basis for hot melt glue for their strength and high viscosity. These materials are often not ideal adhesives, however, so other materials such as waxes, stabilizers, and tackifiers are added to fine-tune the adhesive for a specific application.

The packaging, automotive, footwear, and furniture industries use hot melt adhesives extensively. Hot melt glue is also used in a wide variety of manufacturing, commercial, home, craft, and hobby applications. One reason for the popularity of hot melt adhesives is their versatility. Hot melt glue comes in a variety of forms -- sticks in many sizes, pellets, chips, beads, blocks, and pillows. The adhesive can be applied using hand or pneumatic operated glue guns, glue pots and skillets, foot-pedal controlled dispensers, wheel coaters, and other specialized equipment.

The short set time of a glue such as our Fast-Set Packaging Glue makes this formulation ideal for high volume manufacturing and packaging lines, while the longer open time of a formulation such as our Dura-Tac High Strength Glue allows assemblers and crafters to position parts more precisely, yet still have the benefit of a strong bond once set. Pressure sensitive, non pressure sensitive, permanent, and fugutive (removable) hot melt adhesives are available in an array of formulations to provide optimal adhesion to almost any surface. Hot melt glue can also be produced with coloring agents added for applications such as material color-matching in manufacturing, movie special effects, and home hobbies and crafts.

Developments in hot melt adhesive technology continue to produce new polymers and glue formulations that provide improved adhesion, physical properties, and additional options for melting, applying, and activating the adhesives. Our Glue Dabs and Specialty Glue Gun are examples of advances in hot melt glue materials and applications.

Advantages of Hot Melt Adhesives:

Rapid setting/bonding action
Reduced waste
Easy dispensing, simple to automate, dispensing equipment not complex or expensive
Wide formulation latitude to meet a variety of cost and performance needs
Little or no solvent within the adhesive - associated environmental issues avoided
Low cost high volume systems
Superior seal quality (penetrates most board stock and secures all flaps)
Tamper evident packaging (hot melt seal will cause package board fiber to tear when opened)
Pilferage resistant (unlike tape, hot melt adhesive seals cannot be opened and resealed without the consumer's knowledge.)

Disadvantages of Hot Melt Adhesives:

Heat required to melt adhesive unsuitable for delicate applications
Limited adhesion strength when compared with epoxy, acrylics, polyurethanes, etc.
Can be susceptible to creep under load
Potential to have poor wetting properties
Some hot melt adhesives are susceptible to solvent attack

Hot Melt Glue Uses:

Automotive
Door Panel Assembly
Sound Deadener Installation
Headliner Assembly
Impact Block Bonding
Carpet Attachment
Seating Build & Assembly

Woodworking & Furniture
Cabinet Assembly
Drawer Bottom Bonding
Vanity Back Assembly
Mirror Assembly
Profile Wrapping
Office Panel Assembly

Packaging
Case Closing
Tray Forming
Carton Sealing
Bag Sealing
Over Wrapping
Pallet Load Stabilization
Dunnage Assembly

Construction
Window Sealing
Pallet Fabrication
Pre-Fab Wall Construction

Appliances
Trim Installation
Insulation Bonding
Gasketing

Retail & Graphics
Retail Display Assembly
Sales Kit Foam Insert
Bonding

Bookbinding & Printing
Case Binding
Joint Making
Side Glue
Insert Bonding
Carpet Attachment
Seating Build & Assembly

Electronics
Potting & Encapsulating
Wire Tacking
Small Component Assembly

Filters
End Cap Bonding
Pleat Separation
Seam & Pleat Sealing

Foam
Laminating
Plastic Corrugations

General Assembly
Bag Sealing
Converting
Labels
Business Forms

And the List Goes On...
Multi-Wall Bag Construction
Flexible Ducting
Flower Arrangement Bonding
Home Repairs
Basket Assembly
Luggage Assembly
Insulation Bonding

See our Hot Melt Glue Product Overview and Hot Melt Glue: Forms and Sizes info sheets for information about some of the hot melt adhesives we offer.