Adhesives

Hot melt adhesives are as diverse as the hot melt applicators. Hot melt adhesives are formulated for specific conditions, including melting temperature, application, and if the adhesive needs to be re-sistant to things such as oil, grease, heat or solvents. The curing process needs to create strong bonds within the adhesive and be stable. Some adhesives have a low volatile organic compound (VOC) con-tent, making them more environmentally friendly. Considerations when choosing a hot melt adhesive include:

• Worker safety – low temperature adhesives melt at lower thresholds, thus reducing burn risks to employees on the production line
• Resistance qualities – in some manufacturing environments, such as automotive and aero-space, the hot melt adhesive must be heat and chemical resistant
• Required bond strength – for some manufacturers, the needed bond formulation can vary, and the choice of hot melt adhesive will depend on the required set time and bond strength
• Environmental concerns – bio-based hot melt adhesives reduce the carbon footprint of manu-facturing operations and reduce line worker exposure to potential toxins

With so many considerations, choosing the appropriate hot melt adhesive can be critical for your appli-cation and manufacturing situation. The team at Hitachi can help you understand the different hot melt equipment adhesives so you can make an informed choice.