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Author: Ellis Fowler

Tecbond Low Melt Adhesives – The Safer Way to Bond Heat-Sensitive Substrates

Written by Ellis Fowler on . Posted in DIY, Home & Recreation, Industrial & Manufacturing, Product Assembly, Technical Information. No Comments on Tecbond Low Melt Adhesives – The Safer Way to Bond Heat-Sensitive Substrates

When working with hot melt adhesives, users have to be careful to choose the right formulation to match the materials being bonded. Some plastics, foams, and light fabrics are susceptible to damage, including possible melting when used with the more conventional high-temperature hot melts. Tecbond low melt adhesives are specially formulated to provide the same properties as regular hot melts while being applied at much lower temperatures.

What are low melt adhesives, and why do you need them?

Low melt adhesives are a variant of hot melt adhesives specifically designed to run at much lower temperatures. Traditional hot melts are applied between 195°C and 215°C, whereas most low melt adhesives are designed to be applied at temperatures around 130°C.

They are predominantly used in scenarios where a regular hot melt would damage the substrate to which it is trying to bond. Materials that are particularly susceptible to damage from hot melts include expanded polystyrene, packing foams, plastic films, floristry oasis, and some light fabrics.

To facilitate the need for lower application temperatures, many glue gun manufacturers will make tools specially designed for low melt adhesives. Alternatively, the more industrial glue guns may have an adjustable thermostat. These lower melt tools are more energy efficient than their hot melt variants, lowering overall energy consumption.

The tecbond low melt range

Covering a range of applications, tecbond low melt adhesives are available in three formulations. Tecbond LM42 and LM46 are arts and crafts grades, while tecbond LM41 is the premium grade for product assembly applications.

Tecbond LM42 is a white, economical, general-purpose adhesive predominantly used in the hobby, craft, and educational markets. LM42 provides good adhesion to a wide range of substrates, including paper, card, wood, foam, light gauge metals, fabrics, and floristry foams.

Tecbond LM46 is a faster-setting adhesive than LM42, designed to speed up production or manufacturing processes. Providing good adhesion to a range of substrates, including paper, card, wood, ceramic, fabric, foam, and some plastics, tecbond LM46 is a popular packaging grade thanks to its shorter open time.

Tecbond LM41 is a crystal clear, all-purpose adhesive, featuring the highest adhesion and output of any tecbond low melt grade. Its class-leading bond strength provides excellent adhesion to a range of substrates, including paper, card, wood, ceramic, fabric, foam, and some plastics. Additionally, LM41 can be pigmented to almost any colour, making it an ideal formulation for both crafting projects and product assembly applications that require an adhesive that matches the material colour.

Although the recommended application temperature of tecbond low melt adhesives is 130°C, it is possible to apply them at 160°C. This will lower the adhesive’s viscosity and increase its open time. For this reason, it is important to understand your working open time and ideal viscosity before changing the application temperature.

Low melt and temperature-adjustable tec glue guns

Complimenting the range of tecbond low melt adhesives, the tec range of 12mm, 15mm, and 43mm glue guns are the ideal tools for maximum efficiency and output. All 12mm and 15mm corded applicators from the tec 305 to the tec 810 have a low melt variant designed to maintain a constant temperature of 130°C as opposed to the 195°C of the conventional guns.

Some of the higher-spec guns, such as the tec 820 and tec 3400, have adjustable thermostats, removing the need for separate applicators. While the tec 820 has an under-barrel thermostat that can be adjusted with a screwdriver, the tec 3400 has interchangeable modules that automatically set the applicator to the required temperature.

For more information about our low melt adhesive and compatible tec applicators, please don’t hesitate to contact our helpful sales team.

sales@poweradhesives.com

+44 (0)1268 885 801

The two types of bonding – Physical and chemical

Written by Ellis Fowler on . Posted in Technical Information. No Comments on The two types of bonding – Physical and chemical

When forming bonds with adhesive, it is not as straightforward as the adhesive just sticking two materials together. Depending on the materials being bonded, the adhesive will form bonds using a combination of two different mechanisms: physical bonding and chemical bonding. While both are important, these bonds operate in different ways, each with its own unique strengths and limitations.

What is physical bonding?

Physical bonding refers to adhesive anchoring itself to substrates and forming a more physical bond, hence the name. Physical bonds form when molten adhesive is applied to a substrate and flows into the open spaces on the surface. The adhesive then cools and hardens, forming a link between the substrates. This form of bonding is the predominant bonding mechanism on porous substrates such as untreated wood, fabric, cardboard, etc.

Elements that can affect the strength of a physical bond include adhesive viscosity, open time, and the length and strength of substrate compression. Lower viscosity adhesives (such as tecbond 5) have an increased flow rate, allowing them to spread further and penetrate into the smaller spaces on the surface of the substrate, strengthening the bond even more.

The amount of compression applied to the substrates will determine how far into the open spaces the adhesive will flow. Higher viscosity adhesives may not adequately flow into the substrate when initially applied, but upon compression, they are forced into these surface gaps, forming a strong physical bond once it sets.

For adhesives with lower setting speeds, the length of compression will also affect bond strength, as the longer the substrates are held together, the longer the adhesive is forced into open spaces while it is still molten.

When it comes to open time, adhesive formulations with medium to long open times have more time to flow into and across the substrate, filling more gaps in the surface before setting.

What is chemical bonding?

Chemical bonding in hot melt adhesives involves the formation of polar or non-polar interactions between the adhesive molecules in the substrate. In other words, the adhesive will have some form of “attraction” to both substrates.

An example of a polar and non-polar interaction is water and oil. Water is a polar compound, and oil is a non-polar compound, meaning they do not chemically match and therefore separate when they come into contact with each other.

Hot melt adhesive formulations work by chemically mirroring the substrates to which they are trying to bond (polar substrates require a polar adhesive to form a bond, with non-polar substrates requiring a non-polar adhesive). In a very basic sense, the chemical compatibility forms molecular interactions between the adhesive and the substrate, resulting in chemical bonding.

Chemical bonding is a necessity on smooth, non-porous substrates or substrates that have already had their porous areas filled with another substance. For example, polypropylene is extremely tough to bond as its chemical makeup is difficult to match, while UV-varnished or printed materials have been covered in lacquer or ink, which have already filled any gaps on the material.

Hot melt adhesive molecules require energy to form their bonds. They get this energy in the form of heat. For this reason, the higher the application temperature, the more energy the molecules have to efficiently form bonds. Increasing the amount of adhesive applied to the substrate will in turn increase the number of molecules available for bonding.

No matter what bonding method is required for the substrate in question, an adhesive will always try to form both a physical and chemical bond. Some of the strongest bonds occur when the adhesive performs a mixture of both physical and chemical bonding.

For more information about the tecbond adhesive range, please speak to our dedicated sales team, who can guide you to the right adhesives and applicators for your task.

sales@poweradhesives.com

+44 (0)1268 885801

Tecbond 280 – The class-leading, long open time construction adhesive

Written by Ellis Fowler on . Posted in Construction. No Comments on Tecbond 280 – The class-leading, long open time construction adhesive

One of the best-selling adhesives in the tecbond range, tecbond 280 has revolutionised hot melt adhesives in the construction and flooring industries. Specially formulated with a much longer open and working time than most traditional hot melts, tecbond 280 pushes the boundaries on what a hot melt adhesive can achieve.

A polyolefin-based hot melt, tecbond 280 provides versatile adhesion to a number of substrates, including wood, metal, glass, ceramics, and many plastics. Predominately designed for use on both treated and untreated wood, tecbond 280 is the go-to grade for hardwood flooring installers as a starter strip bonding method. Other uses for tecbond 280 include the installation of carpet grippers, transition strips, stair nosing, and skirting boards. Tecbond 280 is also a hot melt substitute for traditional wood glues.

Tecbond 280’s extended open time of around three minutes (under ideal conditions) facilitates longer working times without the worry of the applied adhesive setting before a bond is formed. Additionally, after initial compression, tecbond 280 has a high enough tack to ensure bonds don’t creep but will not instantly set. This allows for small positional movements of the materials, a process that is necessary in some construction and product assembly applications.

Although tecbond 280 provides an ultra-strong bond once properly set, these bonds are not completely rigid or brittle. The finished bonds have some flexibility, allowing for movement of the materials (for example, thermal expansion in flooring). Other comparable adhesives, such as silicone or water-based grades, tend to be very rigid, with no room for movement once the bond fully cures.

Available in 12mm sticks and 43mm slugs, tecbond 280 works best with the range of tec bead application glue guns. When used together, adhesives and guns provide the maximum possible output with minimal effort. This is because tec glue guns and tecbond adhesives are designed and manufactured as a system and provide optimal results when used together.

With its extremely long shelf life and clean-running capabilities, tecbond 280 creates practically zero waste. Tecbond adhesive formulations are non-toxic and don’t require any mixing before use. Any unused glue left in the applicator is simply remelted the next time the gun is switched on.

For more information about tecbond 280 or any other Power Adhesives products, please don’t hesitate to contact our sales team.

 

 

Tecbond 14 – The fast-setting packaging adhesive to save you time

Written by Ellis Fowler on . Posted in Packaging & Print. No Comments on Tecbond 14 – The fast-setting packaging adhesive to save you time

Continuing with our monthly profiling of adhesives in our range, this month we’ll be looking at Tecbond 14.

Tecbond 14 is a very fast-setting packaging adhesive designed for use on most paper and board substrates. It is ideal for carton closing and tray forming, and suitable for speciality packaging, point of sale, and wrap-around cartons.

The adhesive is formulated to maximise delivery rate and sets very fast when compressed. These two features mean packages can be secured in a fraction of the time when compared to taping or stapling. There’s also no need to hold the materials in place as the bond is almost instantaneous. The bonding power of the adhesive adds structural strength to the carton, so packaging material can be thinner without compromising rigidity. The low viscosity of Tecbond 14 improves gun output, reduces stringing, and provides a close, strong bond on many types of board surfaces.

Tecbond 14 is one of our best-selling adhesives due to its ease of use, cost-effectiveness, and overall bond strength.

Lee Stegall, Power Adhesives sales manager for the United States, had the below to say on Tecbond 14:

“Tecbond 14 has been our go-to performance packing grade for almost 20 years. It is versatile, with great adhesion, and runs through the applicators smoothly. Many of our customers really appreciate the ease of use of Tecbond 14 due to the low viscosity and almost instant grab! It also boasts the claim of having over 40% of its content being sustainably sourced.”

Designed to work in tandem with our range of corded and cordless Tec glue guns, Tecbond 14 is available in 12mm and 15mm sticks, and 43mm slugs. The adhesive can be run continuously through the applicators without requiring nozzle changes or cleaning, making it a less expensive and more equipment-friendly alternative to water-based adhesives. As with many adhesives in the Tecbond range, Tecbond 14 has a near limitless shelf life if stored in a dry, cool environment, ensuring you always have adhesive when required.

Tecbond 213 – The economical all-purpose adhesive

Written by Ellis Fowler on . Posted in DIY, Home & Recreation, Product Assembly. No Comments on Tecbond 213 – The economical all-purpose adhesive

When working with hot melts, there are many specialised grades that focus on specific bonding requirements or are formulated to meet an industry standard. Tecbond 213, however, is the best-selling general-purpose grade thanks to its ability to provide solid, long-lasting bonds on a wide variety of materials while also being extremely cost-effective.

What is tecbond 213?

Tecbond 213 is an EVA-based general-purpose hot melt adhesive designed to bond substrates commonly used in product assembly applications. Excellent bonds can be achieved on ceramics, rigid PVC, hard and soft woods, fabric, and many plastics. Outside of product assembly, tecbond 213 is also used in flooring and woodworking, thanks to its strong bonding capabilities.

Why choose tecbond 213?

One of the characteristics of tecbond 213 that makes it a go-to grade for product assembly is its high molten tack. A higher molten tack is most beneficial when the bond lacks compression, for example, when bonding to walls or ceilings. Despite the downward force of gravity pulling against the bond, tecbond 213’s tack ensures there’s no sagging. This high tack also ensures an almost instant hold and negates the need for clamping, speeding up production processes.

In product assembly applications, it is common for the adhesive to be applied to one substrate and not immediately introduced to the second substrate. To facilitate these extended periods between applying adhesive and fixing components together, tecbond 213 has ample open time, removing the worry of adhesive setting before the bond is made.

Used in a wide variety of applications, tecbond 213 has good heat resistance to ensure bonds don’t creep under increased temperatures. Unlike cheaper adhesives, it won’t fail during product transportation due to the changes in temperature and bond strain attributed to constant movement.

Tecbond 213 is available in 12mm and 15mm sticks and 43mm slugs, making it compatible with the entire range of tec hot melt glue applicators. Using tecbond 213 with a tec applicator ensures the highest possible output with minimal downtime and reduced stringing from the nozzle.

Non-toxic and free from harmful chemicals, tecbond 213 is safe to handle and use. When stored out of direct sunlight, tecbond 213 has a near-infinite shelf life with almost no waste product. Any adhesive left in the applicator upon job completion is simply remelted the next time the tool is switched on.

For more information about tecbond 213 or any other adhesive in the tecbond range, please contact our sales team.

sales@poweradhesives.com

+44 (0)1268885801

Tecbond polyamide adhesives: Everything you need to know

Written by Ellis Fowler on . Posted in Industrial & Manufacturing, Product Assembly. No Comments on Tecbond polyamide adhesives: Everything you need to know

Polyamide adhesives are a unique subset of hot melt adhesives, providing distinct properties that set them apart from other forms of hot melt. Unlike conventional EVA or metallocene-based hot melts, polyamides offer a combination of tensile strength, high-temperature resistance, and strong adhesion to a wide range of substrates. They are used in a wider variety of applications, from automotive to textiles, thanks to their versatility and efficiency.

What is a polyamide adhesive?

Polyamide, in its most basic sense, refers to a chain of polymers linked by amide bonds. Although polyamides exist in nature (e.g., silk), those used as adhesives are synthetically produced. Possessing strong adhesive properties, polyamide-based hot melts exhibit high performance with increased resistance to both high temperatures and harmful chemicals.

Benefits of polyamide adhesives

Unlike other adhesives that rely on the processes of drying and curing, hot melts form bonds through heating and cooling. The adhesive is melted in a glue gun, and this molten adhesive is applied to a substrate. Another substrate is then introduced and secured in place by the hot melts molten tack. The adhesive then cools, forming a bond.

While hot melts promote faster working times, without any harmful chemicals, they can unfortunately struggle to retain their performance in very warm temperatures.

Polyamides, however, have much higher heat resistance and softening points than EVA and polyolefin-based hot melts. The tecbond range of polyamide adhesives can withstand temperatures of over 110°C without compromising bond strength. Despite this increased resistance, they are no more difficult to work with than any other tecbond grade.

Polyamide adhesives also offer superior chemical resistance compared to EVA or polyolefin-based hot melts. This enhanced chemical resistance is primarily attributed to the chemical structure of polyamides. Tecbond polyamides have been used in the automotive industry for many years thanks to their superior chemical resistance. Not only are they used to secure components in fuel and oil filters, but they’re also used as an encapsulation adhesive to protect fragile electrical components.

Lastly, polyamides have almost unmatched tensile strength among hot melts. Tensile strength refers to how much a substrate can be stretched and manipulated without breaking. As an example, elastic bands have high tensile strength because they can be stretched a great distance before they snap. Conversely, concrete, despite its high compressional strength, has very low tensile strength and will break very easily if exposed to the right force.

An adhesive with high tensile strength requires a much greater force to pull apart and tends to be less brittle than adhesives with low tensile strength.

The range of tecbond polyamides

Tecbond polyamides are widely used across a number of markets, including product assembly, woodworking, automotive, and electrical. A full list of the tecbond polyamide grades can be found in our adhesives guide.

When kept dry and sealed in their foil-coated, resealable packaging, tecbond polyamides will last up to two years, almost double the shelf life of comparable polyamide adhesives.

As with all grades in the tecbond adhesive range, tecbond polyamides work best with the wide selection of tec applicators. These adhesives and applicators are designed and manufactured to provide optimal performance when used together.

For more information regarding our polyamide grades and compatible applicators, please don’t hesitate to contact our sales team.

sales@poweradhesives.com

+44 (0)1268885801

Tecbond 7785 – The temperature and chemical-resistant hot melt for the automotive industry

Written by Ellis Fowler on . Posted in Product Assembly. No Comments on Tecbond 7785 – The temperature and chemical-resistant hot melt for the automotive industry

A leading polyamide adhesive in the tecbond range, tecbond 7785 is the go-to grade for bonding substrates that regularly experience high temperatures and frequent chemical contact. Much like many other polyamide grades in the tecbond range, its benefits and usability stretch far beyond that of chemical resistance.

Tecbond 7785 is a polyamide adhesive designed for product assembly and some specialist packaging applications. The adhesive works best on wood and fabric but has also proven excellent for bonding most metals and many composite plastics. 7785 can also be used as an encapsulation compound for protecting fragile electronics.

Capable of being subjected to temperatures as high as 135°C and as low as -10°C, tecbond 7785 is one of the most versatile adhesives in the tecbond range. This heat resilience, coupled with its class-leading chemical resistance and encapsulation properties, is what makes 7785 ideal for the assembly of parts in the automotive industry. Many large car manufacturers use tecbond 7785 to not only construct their oil and air filters but also protect the car’s smaller electronic components.

Featuring a very high molten tack, bonding is almost instantaneous upon compression, with no additional clamping required to form a secure bond. Once properly set, the bond has enough flexibility to allow material movement without causing cohesive or substrate failure.

Tecbond 7785 is part of the automotive range of tecbond adhesives, along with grades including 267W and 246, which can be used in the production and maintenance of vehicles. This is perhaps one of the most demanding areas for hot melt adhesives, as difficult substrates, combined with temperature and chemical resistance requirements, make adhesive selection challenging.

Tecbond 267W is a white, polymer-based hot melt adhesive designed to bond polyolefin plastics through a chemical bond. This ability to bond plastics makes it unique among hot melt adhesives. Tecbond 267W is widely used in the production of crash helmets, sun visors, automotive trim, and white goods.

Tecbond 246 is a specialised hot melt designed for use with PDR (paintless dent removal) systems. The adhesive is added to a dent-pulling tab and bonded to the dent. After 5–10 minutes, the mechanism is ready to pull the dent out and restore the panel to its original shape. The bond is then loosened by pulling the attachment sideways. Once removed, the excess residue is cleaned using white spirit, acetone, or thinners.

All tecbond automotive grades are designed to be used with the tec range of applicators to achieve the highest possible output whilst minimising effort. Tec glue guns are designed to heat up within three minutes and dispense upwards of 1kg an hour, reducing downtime and allowing users to work faster.

Open time: What is it and what affects it?

Written by Ellis Fowler on . Posted in Technical Information. No Comments on Open time: What is it and what affects it?

You may have heard the phrase “open time” when reading about adhesives but not know what it means or what it represents. Open time is an important factor to consider when choosing the correct adhesive for the job. Below, we will go into what open time is and why your use cases and working conditions can affect it.

What is open time?

Open time is defined as the length of time after application in which an adhesive can still be manipulated. In a more basic sense, open time is the amount of time you have between applying the adhesive, and it solidifying to the point where it won’t bond to another substrate.

When looking at the open time of an adhesive, it is important to look at how long it typically takes to complete the entire process of bonding materials, also known as the process open time. For example, if you are using an adhesive for carton closing, the process open time would include dispensing adhesive onto the carton, putting the applicator down, and then closing the carton to form the bond. It is therefore important to choose an adhesive with an open time longer than the process open time.

Hot melts differ from other forms of adhesive in that their open time is based on how long it takes the adhesive to cool and turn back into a solid. Other adhesives open times are based on curing or drying speeds.

An adhesive’s open time will usually be displayed somewhere on the packaging or in the product’s technical data sheet. It is, however, worth noting that there is no set method within the adhesives industry for testing open time. This means that most manufacturers will have their own set of tests to determine open time.

What affects open time?

Understanding what factors influence an adhesive’s open time is crucial for ensuring optimal bonding performance.

When manufacturers conduct their open time tests, they will always try to ensure the conditions of the test remain constant throughout. However, as mentioned previously, with no set testing method for adhesive manufacturers, each company has their own conditions, which means another company may end up with a completely different result.

With hot melts specifically, everything is based on the temperature and cooling speed of the hot melt. For this reason, the most common factors that affect their open time are ambient temperature, substrate material, application temperature and application volume.

Ambient temperature will greatly affect the speed at which hot melts begin to cool and solidify. In warmer conditions, hot melts will stay molten for longer, resulting in an extended open time. Conversely, in colder environments, the hot melt will cool quicker, decreasing its open time.

This is much the same with the substrates being bonded. The colder the surface temperature of the substrate, the quicker the adhesive will solidify. Substrates such as metal are also very thermo-conductive meaning they will draw the heat energy from the adhesive much faster than fabrics for example.

An open time factor unique to hot melts is the application temperature. Much the same as the temperature conditions of the room or substrate, the lower the application temperature, the faster the adhesive will reach its solidification temperature, decreasing open time. The low melt formulations in the tecbond range such as LM41, LM42 and LM46 are designed to have similar open times as many of the regular tecbond grades but at lower temperatures. For example, LM46 has a similar open time to tecbond 240 but is designed to be applied at 130°C as opposed to 195°C.

Lastly, there is the amount of adhesive applied. Larger volumes of adhesive in a single area will retain heat and take longer to cool. This is why in carton closing applications, we advise users to apply a smaller bead to the carton before closing. This gives users enough adhesive to provide a strong bond without long waiting times for adhesives to set.

In conclusion, adhesive open time plays a crucial role in many industries, from construction to manufacturing. By considering the above factors and conducting proper testing, professionals can select the most appropriate adhesive and application technique to achieve desired results.

For more information about the tecbond adhesive range, please speak to our dedicated sales team who can guide you to the right adhesives and applicators for your task.

sales@poweradhesives.com

+44 (0)1268 885801

Tecbond 248 – The strong and reliable multi-purpose hot melt adhesive

Written by Ellis Fowler on . Posted in Construction, DIY, Home & Recreation, Product Assembly. No Comments on Tecbond 248 – The strong and reliable multi-purpose hot melt adhesive

One of the best-selling formulations in the tecbond range, tecbond 248 takes hot melt glue sticks to a new level in performance bonding. Used in both the construction and product assembly industries, its strong bonding properties, coupled with a good open time and fast setting speed, make it the go-to adhesive for tradespeople.

Tecbond 248 is an acrylic-based, clear hot melt adhesive designed to provide exceptional adhesion to a wide range of substrates, including many plastics that otherwise have proved difficult to bond. Excellent bonds can be achieved on wood, fabric, leather, concrete, rubber, glass, ceramics, and most metals. 248 has also been widely used on many plastics, such as PVC, polycarbonate, and acrylic thanks to its strong chemical bonding capabilities.

When working with heat-sensitive substrates, tecbond 248 can be extruded at lower temperatures to reduce the risk of material damage. Reducing application temperature has the added benefit of increasing 248’s viscosity, negating any sag that can occur when applying to vertical surfaces. For the strongest possible bond, it is recommended to apply tecbond 248 at the highest possible temperature (around 195°C).

The grade is the go-to for many hardwood flooring and carpet installers due to its instant grab and good open time. Once applied, 248 will maintain its high tack for around a minute, allowing flooring or tack strips to be accurately positioned before compression. Once compressed, tecbond 248 sets almost instantly without the need for clamping or holding in place, facilitating faster working.

Complementing its bonding capabilities, 248 has excellent low-temperature resistance, meaning the bond will not become brittle if exposed to temperatures as low as -5°C.

When used with the tec range of applicators, tecbond 248’s delivery rate speeds up the application, while its low stringing content means that no adhesive is wasted when users release the trigger. The tec range of applicators is designed to work in partnership with the tecbond adhesive range to deliver optimal results with low effort and energy consumption. Any adhesive left in the applicator after use is not wasted but simply remelted the next time the tool is switched on. Tecbond 248 is available in 12mm and 15mm sticks and 43mm slugs.

As with a majority of adhesives in the tecbond range, tecbond 248 has a near-unlimited shelf life with no risk of expiring or drying out.

How does the spraytec system work compared to regular spray adhesives?

Written by Ellis Fowler on . Posted in Construction, Industrial & Manufacturing, Product Assembly, Sprayable Adhesives, Technical Information. No Comments on How does the spraytec system work compared to regular spray adhesives?

The spraytec system from Power Adhesives is a pioneering, innovative, and sustainable technology to replace solvent-based aerosol adhesives. Contrary to its name, the unique application method does not atomise the adhesive but instead creates a swirl pattern, ensuring a wide area of coverage with none of the drawbacks of traditional aerosol adhesives.

Despite their easy-to-use functionality, aerosol spray adhesives have a hugely negative health and environmental impact due to the VOC content, prompting users of these adhesives to look for cleaner, more cost-effective solutions.

So how does it work?

Unlike aerosol adhesives in spray cans, the spraytec system uses compressed air to dispense hot melt. The technology works by partnering a pneumatic, air-assisted applicator with uniquely formulated 43mm hot melt glue slugs. This size of glue ensures sufficient output without the need for a bulk melting tank.

When an adhesive slug is placed into the chamber, pulling the trigger sends compressed air through the tool, which in turn moves the feed mechanism. This mechanism pushes the glue slug into the thermostatically controlled heating chamber. The chamber maintains a constant temperature of 180°C to ensure adhesive is melted on-demand.

The now-molten adhesive is then pushed through the specially designed nozzle. As the adhesive is extruded through the central hole, compressed air is released through five small flutes on the outer ring of the nozzle. This causes a vortex around the bead of adhesive, forcing it into a spiral pattern. This pattern is adjustable using a small screw on the back of the applicator, which adjusts the pressure of the vortex air.

What are the benefits of the spraytec system?

The spraytec system removes the issue of VOCs commonly associated with aerosol spray adhesives and the waste product in empty cans or pots. Spraytec adhesives do not contain organic solvents or VOCs, which is not only cleaner for the environment, but also means operators can use the product without needing to wear PPE. This creates savings, and spraytec offers further value as 100% of the adhesive is used in the bonding process. This is compared to solvent-based adhesives, which contain only 30 to 40% solid contents, with the rest being VOC.

Compared to bead application, swirling hot melt allows users to cover a large surface area faster and affects the application temperature. As the adhesive is spiralised, it cools far quicker than a bead, allowing application to heat-sensitive substrates, like expanded polystyrene and foam, without causing damage. Another unique property of spraytec adhesives is their ability to stay tacky, even after they have cooled and gone solid. Spraytec grades 420, 425 and 430 all have open times of around three minutes or more, despite cooling and hardening within a fraction of this time.

All spraytec adhesives also have an unlimited shelf life. Without risk of expiry, any adhesive left in the applicator after use can simply be remelted the next time it is switched on and used as normal with no effect on the adhesive properties.

Spraytec adhesives have been used for over 15 years in the production of mattresses, POS stands, furniture, HVAC units and much more. The system continues to be at the forefront of what is achievable with hot melt adhesives.

For more information about the spraytec system, or if you would like to request a demonstration with one of our sales team, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

sales@poweradhesives.com

tel: +44 (0)1268 885801

Spraytec 410 & 420 – The “sprayable” hot melt adhesives

Written by Ellis Fowler on . Posted in Construction, Industrial & Manufacturing, Product Assembly, Sprayable Adhesives. No Comments on Spraytec 410 & 420 – The “sprayable” hot melt adhesives

For over 10 years, Power Adhesives has been manufacturing specialised 43mm adhesive slugs designed to be applied via a unique spray-like application. The pioneering grades of this range, spraytec 410 and spraytec 420, not only provide users with a safer alternative to aerosol-spray adhesives thanks to their lack of harmful VOCs, but also allow them to use hot melt adhesive in situations where it would previously have been impossible.

Spraytec 410 and 420 are synthetic polymer-based hot melt adhesives formulated in tandem with the tec spray guns, to let users apply adhesive quickly and efficiently over large surface areas. Both formulations provide solid bonds to a variety of substrates including expanded polystyrene, bubble film, upholstery foams and fabrics. When applied, they are near clear in colour to avoid unsightly marks on see-through materials.

Both formulations are designed to work with the pneumatically assisted range of tec spray guns but can also be used with the range of bead application guns if required.

Spraytec 410’s primary usage is as a pallet stabilisation adhesive for sacks and cartons. Removing the need for excessive amounts of shrink-wrap, the adhesive provides a non-slip bond between each layer with sufficient tack to hold the cartons or sacks in place, without causing excessive material damage when they are taken off the pallet.

The adhesive’s application method also makes it ideal for attaching lightweight foams and polystyrene to the insides of protective cases. The adhesive cools rapidly upon extrusion ensuring it doesn’t melt or burn the foam, while the increased coverage ensures there is a much stronger bond than possible with traditional bead guns.

Spraytec 410’s high temperature resistance of 85°C ensures bonds remain solid under warmer conditions. Other adhesives used for this application tend to fail under high temperatures, allowing bonds to creep.

Spraytec 420 is a more general-purpose adhesive, primarily used in the manufacture of mattresses and HVAC units. It can also be used as a carpet adhesive, replacing the need for nails and tacks around stair nosing and skirting boards. It retains many of the same adhesive properties of spraytec 410, whilst offering the user more flexibility in both working conditions and bonding capabilities.

Complementing its three-minute open time, spraytec 420 has higher instant tack than spraytec 410, allowing substrates to be accurately positioned without the adhesive setting while ensuring a secure bond once substrate compression occurs.

For more information about spraytec adhesives, or to request a demo, please don’t hesitate to contact our sales team.

sales@poweradhesives.com

+44 (0)1268 885801

Three advantages of using hot melt adhesives for woodworking

Written by Ellis Fowler on . Posted in Construction. No Comments on Three advantages of using hot melt adhesives for woodworking

The tecbond range of adhesives features many grades suitable for woodworking applications, with some specializing in bonding specific types of wood. Compared to traditional water-based or polyurethane wood glues, tecbond hot melt adhesives offer users a simple and effective solution to common bonding problems raised by woodworking applications.

Setting times

Most forms of wood glue, whether water-based or polyurethane-based, recommend clamping newly bonded materials and leaving them to dry for 30 to 60 minutes before moving or continuing additional work. Not only does this increase overall working time, but depending on the size of the job, it also requires several clamps to hold the wood together and a dedicated area to leave the wood while the glue dries.

Hot melt adhesives are 100% solid content, meaning there is no drying or evaporating. They instead have a setting period where they cool and form a bond between the two substrates, whether this is through physical or chemical bonding. This means there is no need for extended clamping times to achieve a strong yet flexible bond.

Tecbond 23, one of the strongest woodworking and product assembly grades available, only requires a clamping time of around five minutes before the bond is strong enough to be moved without causing adhesive or cohesive failure. Many other tecbond woodworking adhesives, such as tecbond 5 and tecbond 213, only need to be held in place for several seconds before they adequately set, allowing the structure to be moved.

After only 24 hours, bonds made using tecbond adhesives will have reached their maximum strength. Other comparable woodworking adhesives recommend being left to dry for up to 48 hours to achieve maximum strength.

No expiry, no blocked nozzles

Tecbond adhesives eliminate the annoyance of blocked nozzles or a half-dried product that’s near impossible to apply. Unlike most wood adhesives, the tecbond range of woodworking hot melts are solid sticks that aren’t affected by environmental conditions. They have a near-unlimited shelf life, with no risk of drying out or warping to the point of being unusable.

Most water-based wood adhesives have a maximum shelf life of around one to two years before bacteria begin to grow in them. This usually results in the adhesive turning solid and, in some instances, starting to smell.

These adhesives are also prone to freezing due to their water content, making them unusable in colder climates or winter conditions. Rather than changing their storage requirements to prevent this from happening, most users will tend to purchase a new adhesive if their current one shows signs of change or expiration.

Works when bonding wood to other materials

Many of the most popular wood glues are designed to only bond wood and struggle to bond any other substrate. Their high water content translates to lower viscosity, ensuring they flow into the porous surface of the wood. This generates lots of small physical bonds, something that isn’t possible with less porous materials such as metal and hard plastics.

Conversely, the range of tecbond hot melts, although formulated to work on specific substrates, will effectively bond a wide variety of materials. Grades like tecbond 23 and 213, although primarily woodworking grades, will also work on cardboard, ceramics, and fabric.

For more information on our range of woodworking grades, or if you would like to request a sample, please don’t hesitate to contact our sales team.

sales@poweradhesives.com

+44 (0)1268 885801