Hot Glue Information
Hot glue is an adhesive that usually comes in sticks and is designed to be used with a hot glue gun. Hot glue guns melt the glue sticks for application. Hot glue can be used with a variety of surfaces, and is hot enough to blister skin when it first comes out of the gun.
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Properties
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According to online resource Thomas Net, different types of hot glue have different chemical properties, depending on the formula. The key properties to consider are: open time, the time it takes for a bond to form; bond formation temperature; set time, the time it takes for the glue to harden; melt viscosity, pot life stability, the rate of decomposition (particularly important for industrial uses); and the tack, the adhesive's stickiness.
Performance
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According to the Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Resource Center (PNPPRC), a hot glue adhesive's performance depends on a number of factors, including: expected life, working load and service temperature.
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Materials
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There are many different base materials used to make hot glue. Different applications require different qualities in the glue, and different chemical formulations are devised to meet specific application characteristics. According to the website Special Chem, common base materials for hot glue include: ethylene-vinyl acetate, polyolefins, polyamides, polyurethanes and styrene block copolymers.
Drying
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Hot glue takes much less time than curing with drying ovens, making it a valuable tool for industrial uses. According to the PNPPRC, hot glue adhesives are used for this reason in the manufacturing of picture frames, kitchen countertops and footwear.
Applications
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Other common applications of hot glue include the manufacturing of packaging, modern arrows, hockey sticks, and disposable diapers, as well as in the bookbinding and wood-binding industries. Hot glue is also commonly used in home crafts.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Hot glue gun isolated image by Marek Kosmal from Fotolia.com
