From kitchenware to our vehicles, plastic products have permeated every aspect of our lives and are integral to our day-to-day activities. Plastics can be divided into two main groups: thermoplastics and thermosets. Thermoplastics, like Polyethylene, soften easily when heated. Thermosets do not. Manufacturers must be able to efficiently and permanently join plastic components into complete assemblies, such as in vehicles, and that means using hot melt glue adhesives.
Advantages of Adhesive Bonding
Adhesives have several advantages over other types of bonding, like welding, or even using screws or nails.
-
Adhesives distribute the weight between two substrates more evenly, reducing stress on joints.
-
Adhesives are invisible, which means you get a nice, clean seamless line where the materials join.
-
Adhesives form a seal, as well as a bond, which protects the joint from corrosion.
-
Other hot melt adhesives can join irregularly shaped surfaces, quickly and easily bonding the substrates.
-
Assembly line operations are much easier, as there is less need for customization in the bonding process.
History of Hot Melt Adhesives
Archeologists have found evidence of humans using adhesives over 6000 years ago. The Ancient Egyptians used a form of glue to seal the wooden caskets of the pharaohs. However, modern adhesive technology did not begin to evolve until about 100 years ago.
A scientist invented thermoplastic glue, today is known as hot melt, in 1940. The scientists wanted something that would seal cereal boxes and stop them from popping open before getting to the consumer.
Manufacturers, particularly packing companies, first began the widespread use of hot melt in the 1960s. Eventually, hot melt technology led to the invention of hot melt glue sticks, spray-on bulk hot melt products and various formulations targeting specific bonding for plastics.
