HOT MELTS HOT MELTS
are 100% solid thermoplastic adhesives. They liquefy by being heated and bond, after being applied to the substrate, as they cool and resolidify. Hot melts are available in a number of formulations for specific applications. They are not recommend ed for high strength or high temperature applications.
USING HOT MELT ADHESIVES
Unlike most other adhesives which when activated cannot be reused, hot melts being made of thermoplastic polymers can be repeatedly heated and cooled without a significant chemical change.
BENEFITS OF HOT MELTS
Low Cost - more economical to use than cold glue systems, or tape, staples, nails or screws. Fast - high production speeds, no cure or dry cycles.. Clean - no mixing and no clean up.. Compact - 100% solid, provides for long shelf life and not effected by freezing.. Sealing - gap filling and caulking effect possible.. Strong - bonds dissimular substrates and are stronger than the substrates themselves.. Resilient - flexible and dampens vibrations.. Versatile - permit new manufacturing techniques not possible with cold glues, fasteners or solvent based adhesives.. Safe - less pollution and fire hazards than solvent based adhesives.. Moisture resistant - do not absorb moisture that will weaken bonds..
. DISADVANTAGES OF HOT MELTS.
. Limited toughness, and heat resistance.. Lack of high structural strength.. Subject to degradation and charring by overheating.. HOT MELT APPLICATION EQUIPMENT. . MANUAL HAND OPERATED GUNS are designed to meet the needs of the user. Light duty guns are economical for intermittant use in craft work, repairs and light assembly jobs. Medium duty guns provide the industrial user with a reliable adhesive tool. Heavy duty, high capacity, production guns meet needs of the manufacturer...
REEL-FED HOT MELT APPLICATORS
provide hands free application of adhesive. No need to manually supply glue sticks to the gun. Applicator may be part of a semi of fully automatic system...
BULK MELT APPLICATORS
are used when the amount of adhesive required exceeds the capacity of stick feed systems. A heated tank holds a large amount of melted adhesive which is supplied to a manual or automatic gun by pumping through a heated hose.
THE CAPACITY OF HOT MELT APPLICATORS is rated in pounds per hour of adhesive it can deliver. Light duty means 4 to 5 pounds per hour. Medium duty is 8 to 9 pounds per hour. Heavy duty bulk units deliver 10 to 15 pounds per hour.
TIPS FOR USING HOT MELTS
Clean surfaces - if necessary wipe plastics and metals with a solvent. Apply adhesive to only one, but the most difficult to bond surface. Hard, smooth surfaces are more resistant to bonding than rough porous surfaces. Mate surfaces quickly after applying adhesive. Use firm pressure and do not adjust substrates after contact is made. For best performance of metals, preheat surfaces to at least 95 C/ 200 F. Generally a hot melt will achieve 50% of its full strength in one minute, 75% after one hour and 100% after 24 hours.
HOT MELT APPLICATIONS:
Bonding wood, cardboard, paper and any porous materials. Use for fabrics, vinyls, and leather products May be used on most plastics with good results Use hot melts when you need fast, clean, no mix bonding.