Ever wondered what a hot melt adhesive is and why is it becoming a demandable item?
Thermoplastic adhesives come in the form of hot-melt products. When exposed to heat, moisture, or radiation, reactive adhesives cure or set.
The increasing textile sector will support hot-melt demand, as such products continue to replace traditional stitching in hems due to their quick cure rates. The use of nonwoven items such as wipes and masks increased dramatically in 2020 and 2021, and these trends are projected to continue.
Furthermore, the market for personal hygiene products is growing in rich countries with aging populations as well as in developing economies with rising personal incomes.
According to recent research by Research and Markets, the Hot Melt Adhesives business has been consistently rising and will continue to do so through 2020. The purpose of the analysis was to examine the growth of the Global Hot Melt Adhesives industry over the projected period of 2015-2020, as well as to discover what factors are driving the industry’s growth and why some regions are developing faster than others.
What is a hot melt adhesive?
Industrial strength adhesives that are thermally melted and then allowed to cool to obtain their adhesive characteristics are known as hot melt adhesives. They are typically composed of one or more polymers, as well as a variety of additives such as resins and pigments that give individual adhesives their distinct features. Different types of hot melt adhesives, such as ethylene-vinyl acetate, polyamide, and polyurethanes, are available for a variety of industries and applications, including packaging, product assembly, woodworking, bookbinding, and product labeling.
Why is hot melt adhesive demandable?
The global market for Hot Melt Adhesives is being driven by an increasing need for high-standard performance across all sectors and applications. A global shift in popular demand from solvent-based adhesives to hot melt adhesives is one of the key causes listed in the research. This shift in popularity can be attributed to three factors:
- Resilient organic components are reduced or eliminated entirely in hot melt/polymer-based adhesives.
- Solvent-based adhesives have a shorter shelf life than hot melt/polymer-based adhesives.
- Hot melt/polymer-based adhesives can be thrown away without any specific instructions or risk to the environment.
The solvent-free features of hot melt adhesives have also contributed to increased demand and usage. In terms of health, safety, and product quality, these tend to conform with regulatory authority criteria.
The rising demand for polyurethane-based hot melt adhesives is another key factor driving the demand for polymer-based hot melt adhesives. Polyurethane adhesives are designed to glue non-porous materials such as metal and wood together, making them ideal for uses such as shoemaking, bookbinding, and product packaging. Polyurethane is a low-volatile organic compound that is also widely utilized as a basic material in the production of hot melt adhesives.
Advantages of hot melt adhesives
Because of their environmental friendliness, safety, and long shelf life, hot melt adhesives are popular in many industrial areas.
These adhesives must be heated before use and are divided into several groups, each with its own set of advantages.
- EVA-based adhesive: EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) is utilized in many hot melt adhesives because of its rubber-like flexibility. The use of EVA copolymers in chemical formulations has several advantages. Even when exposed to UV light, EVA-based adhesives are flexible enough to withstand cracking. They are also resistant to wear and tear, even in harsh temperatures. EVA hot melt adhesives, which are widely used in the packaging sector, have quick opening and setting times. This characteristic enables packing lines to operate at fast and efficient speeds.
- APAO-based hot melt adhesive: The source material for hot melt adhesives is polyalphaolefin-based polymers (APAO). Hot melt adhesives based on APAO are utilized in a wide range of applications and perform exceptionally well in product assembly situations. In comparison to other forms of adhesives, they have a variety of advantages. They are chemically inert and can cling to a range of non-polar substrates, glossy surfaces, and textiles. They dry rapidly and work well as a moisture and gas barrier. These adhesives are also resistant to heat and cold. Finally, APAO hot melt adhesives are extremely UV resistant.
- Pressure-sensitive hot melt adhesive: Pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) are a type of adhesive that adheres to a variety of surfaces using only pressure. Pressure-sensitive adhesives have a lot of benefits. The application is simple to automate and does not require a lot of expensive equipment. They can save time in assembly because they don’t need to be processed or cured for extensive periods. Furthermore, production methods are speedier due to their instant adherence, resulting in significant time and labor savings. Pressure-sensitive adhesives reduce the need for screws, rivets, clips, or drill holes, preventing cracks and corrosion while also improving the end product’s integrity and look. Finally, pressure-sensitive adhesives can help with thermal and acoustic insulation as well as vibration reduction.
Other benefits include:
- Curing and drying in a hurry
- Long-term storage
- Environmentally friendly
- There is very little waste.
- Applicators are easy to use and inexpensive.
- Water and solvents do not evaporate, hence there is no shrinkage.
- Tamper-resistant
Conclusion
There are universal adhesives as well as specific adhesives for certain materials, such as fabrics, wood, ceramics, and plastic. To achieve the highest possible adhesive strength, special adhesives are tailored to the pore structure and surface of specific materials. Always use the adhesive that is most appropriate for the material.
Over the next five years, hot melt adhesives will continue to gain popularity and demand. The Asia-Pacific area, as well as global sectors that choose hot melt adhesives for their long shelf life and environmental friendliness, are seeing a surge in demand for these adhesives. These characteristics save manufacturers and businesses thousands, if not millions, of dollars in annual manufacturing expenses, and they will continue to increase in popularity as businesses throughout the world cater to an ever-growing environmentally-conscious market.
So get the best quality hot melt adhesive from Walton and stay up to date with the growing demand.
