Hot melt adhesive for a thermal gun. How to choose a hot glue gun based on the knowledge of its characteristics Glue sticks purpose

Such a device as a hot glue gun came to the power tool market only a few years ago, so this product can not be found in every home. However, on the other hand, in every household there is a task that can be easily solved by using a glue gun, since repairing certain things using gluing is a fairly common occurrence.

The glue gun owes its "combat" name to the similarity with the weapon of the same name. Indeed, the body of the product is very reminiscent of a combat pistol - a similar shape, the presence of a trigger, a barrel. Yes, and with cartridges, you can draw an analogy - the thermal gun is "charged" with glue rods.

How to choose a hot glue gun

The choice of this product depends on the type of work for which the thermal gun is purchased. Getting to know the most important parameters, functions and additional features of the gun will help you choose the right model.

Tool class

Like other power tool positions, various models of heat guns are classified into professional and household models. When choosing a product for home needs, you should not pay attention to professional and expensive models, because in this case we are talking about tools for any kind of production.

Enterprises operate in continuous mode with automatic and constant supply of glue sticks, or positions with increased resource and high cost. For amateur use, a household-class instrument is quite suitable, the cost of which usually does not exceed 1000 rubles.

Consumable

The main difference between glue sticks is the size of their diameter. It can have two indicators - 7 and 11mm.

Before use, you need to find out what diameter the rods support this model of glue gun.

If it is supposed to use the tool from time to time, a pistol with a seven-millimeter rod is enough.

If we are talking about constant repair work with a relatively high consumption of glue, it would be optimal to purchase a model with an eleven-millimeter rod.
For example, the model of the glue gun PK 11/100 of the Stavr trademark. The number 11 in the article indicates what diameter the consumable element has.

Melting temperature

Intuitively, a non-professional can also guess - the higher the heating temperature, the greater the performance of the tool.

For a household grade tool, the temperature ranges from 105-200 degrees. This run is due to the fact that some materials are sensitive to high temperatures (paper, cardboard, rubber) and when working with these things, the minimum melting temperature is set, that is, 105 degrees.

However, not all models of thermal guns have the ability to adjust the temperature, and therefore the value of this parameter is constant for them (for example, only 105 or only 200 degrees).
Positions with the possibility of adjustment are in the line of thermal guns of the Dremel brand.

Important: Glue sticks of any type are able to go into a liquid state at the lowest temperature - 105 degrees. Increasing the temperature value only increases the release rate of the adhesive!

Performance

Some call this parameter the speed of the gun, which is not entirely correct. These values are measured in the mass of liquid glue that the gun is capable of delivering per unit time (gram / minute).
The characteristic has a directly proportional dependence on the heating temperature.

The standard range in which the performance values of all household-type glue guns fall is 5-35 g / min.
When choosing such a tool, you need to pay attention to the fact that the glue from a liquid state again turns into a solid one in a short period of time (hardening within 1-2 minutes, final strength is reached 10 minutes after application).

Hot glue glues everything, well, or almost everything. If you paint in detail, then the list will turn out to be simply endless. Using hot glue, you can connect parts made of wood, glass, plastic, paper, cardboard, metal, tile, fabric, etc. Perhaps it’s easier to say that hot glue can’t glue PVC, concrete, plaster and some types of fabric materials. In all other cases, the heated hot-melt adhesive clings simply “tightly”.

Bar selection criteria

1. Diameter. The most common are rods with a diameter of 7 and 11 millimeters. There are, of course, types of other diameters, but the above are considered the most popular. You need to select the required diameter based on the technical characteristics of your gun. If you do not have a thermal gun, then, first of all, you should purchase it and only after that you can select the optimal hot melt adhesive.
2. Length. This parameter can range from 4 to 30 centimeters. You need to select the optimal length, again, based on the parameters of your thermal gun.
3. Color is one of the most important selection criteria. At the moment, there are several color options that differ from each other in adhesive properties and compositions. Let's look at these options in more detail.

✓ Transparent - the most popular type of hot melt adhesive, as it is considered universal. Suitable for bonding almost all materials. For home use, it will be enough.
✓Multi-colored opaque - such rods of any color other than black are also considered universal. Color diversity is important when matching the adhesive to the color of the adhesive part. For example, when repairing a green plastic box, it is better to take glue of the same green color.
✓White opaque - suitable for bonding metal and glass. In addition, they can be universal. When buying such a rod, you must definitely look at its characteristics. If the white color plays the role of a marker, then such a hot melt adhesive is suitable for gluing metal and glass, otherwise it is just a universal white rod.
✓Yellow transparent - suitable for gluing wood, paper, cardboard. Be sure to read the instructions for these rods, the scope should be indicated there.

4. Selection of hot melt according to operating temperature. Another important property of hot melt adhesive is the operating temperature regime. Some species melt at a temperature of 100C, others - over 150C. It is logical that for gluing products that will be heated in the future, high-temperature rods should be used. And one more important point - when choosing glue for melting temperature, you should pay attention to the power of your heat gun.
We offer a wide range of different hot melt adhesive rods, thanks to which you can connect a wide variety of materials.

The most common hot melt adhesives on the market at the moment are:

1. Hot melt adhesives based on EVA or ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA, Ethylene Vinyl Acetate).

EVA melts are used for many standard operations because they are good value for money.

A significant part of this type of hot melt is produced in the form of glue sticks (sticks, pins), which are used with glue guns and are often used for universal and household work. EVA hot melt adhesives are an integral part of the packaging industry, supplied in granular form for use on automatic packaging lines. To date, EVA adhesives are widely used in the furniture industry: for gluing edge materials, wrapping profile moldings, veneer edge bonding, etc. Also, these melts are used for the production of: automobile filters, mattress independent spring blocks, magazines and many other products that are an integral part of our lives.

2. Hot melt adhesives based on polyolefin (PO, Polyolefin).

Compared to ethylene vinyl acetate adhesives, polyolefin melts have a wider range of performance: higher heat resistance, improved adhesion, high flexibility at low temperatures, cost effectiveness. Depending on the formula, the open time of polyolefin adhesives can vary from very short to very long. This group of products refers to adhesives, which in most cases are applied by the linear dot or spray method. Hot melt adhesives produced using catalytic metallocene polymers are widely used in the packaging industry. These types of products show much higher performance than simple EVA solutions.

3. Hot melt adhesives based on polyamide (PA, Polyamide).

Polyamide hot melt adhesives have special properties and are used for bonding materials that must meet special requirements. In particular, adhesive bonding is characterized by very good resistance to high temperatures and is also reliable at low temperatures. Polyamide adhesives are rigid materials with high cohesive strength and adhesion, able to withstand temperatures from -35°C to +135°C, have moderate resistance to water, vegetable and mineral oils, and lubricants.

When high demands are placed on the quality of the adhesive bond, polyamide melts are indispensable, for example for: repair of technical components in the electronics and automotive industries, production of electrical insulating materials, production of automotive filters, etc.

4. Hot melt adhesives with residual tack (PSA, Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives).

Also, adhesives with residual tack are used for: labeling PET bottles, glass and cans, production of adhesive tapes, adhesive tapes, insulating materials, non-woven materials, mattresses, stabilization of packaging on pallets (palletizing), etc.

5. Hot melt adhesives based on polyurethane (Reactive Hot Melt Adhesives, PUR, POR).

Pur adhesives play an increasingly important role today. They are used to achieve high adhesive strength. Once the reactive PUR melt is applied, a chemical reaction begins with the moisture. After polymerization, a highly elastic film is formed, which retains elasticity at low and high temperatures.

The glue polymerization process lasts for 1-2 days - it directly depends on: air humidity, materials, adhesive film thickness and degree of wettability. After the adhesive film has cured, the product can be further processed. To prevent unwanted reactions during storage, polyurethane melts are packaged in moisture-proof packaging.

The use of polyurethane hot melt adhesives makes it possible to achieve extremely high adhesion values: with a high degree of heat resistance, high flexibility at low temperatures and solvent resistance.

These products are often used in the printing industry, the automotive and electronics industries, the woodworking industry, etc.

Another group in the reactive hot melt adhesive segment are POR adhesives. Compared to polyurethane hot melt adhesives, they adhere much better to unfinished surfaces such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). In addition, they also do not contain isocyanates and therefore should not be considered hazardous.

Comparative table of technical characteristics of melts.

The foundation		Polyolefin/ APAO	Polyamide
Adhesion					excellent
High temperature resistance (°C)	satisfactory		excellent	satisfactory	excellent
Moisture resistance	satisfactory	satisfactory			excellent
Solvent resistance	satisfactory	satisfactory		satisfactory	excellent
thermal stability		excellent			excellent
Treatment	normal	normal		normal
Price ratio

For advice, selection of a suitable product and provision of free samples, please contact our specialists in St. Petersburg.

There are two types of adhesives in the world: hot and cold. Cold adhesives include solvent-based adhesives, solvent-based adhesives, and water-based adhesives. Hot glues include EVA, polyolefin, synthetic rubber and many others. The main difference between hot (hot-melt) adhesives is the method of application.

Description, characteristics

Hot glue is a substance for bonding various materials, the action of which is based on the multiple possibility of changing the physical state during heating and cooling.

Unlike materials whose adhesive characteristics are manifested as a result of chemical reactions, the chemical composition of hot melt adhesive does not change after heating and cooling. The term “hot melt” stands for hot melt adhesive. Another common name is “hot melt adhesive”, “thermoplastic adhesive”. Hot glue is used for gluing paper, cardboard, leather, wood, fabrics, plastics, ceramics, glass.

This adhesive is found in the form of rods, granules, bars, cylinders, balls, powder, pads.

The principle of operation of hot glue is quite simple. Using a hot-melt gun or a hot-melt adhesive station, the substance is heated to the operating temperature and applied to the surface, after which the materials to be glued are pressed against each other. During the cooling process, the adhesive cures and the materials are fixed. Depending on the type of hot melt adhesive, the working temperature is in the range from 90°C to 190°C, the setting time is from 5 to 30 seconds.

Raw material

The basis for the manufacture of thermoplastic adhesives can be the following polymers:

Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)
Polyamide (PA)
Polyolefins (PE polyethylene, PPR polypropylene)
polyester
Synthetic rubber
Amorphous polyalphaolefin (APAO)
Reactive polyurethane (PUR)

Each of the polymers imparts specific properties to the final product. For example, polyolefin-based adhesives bond the most difficult surfaces and also include equipment cleaning additives. Synthetic rubber based adhesives remain permanently tacky for an unlimited time.

Base polymers make up approximately 50% of the total composition. The composition of the hot melt adhesive also includes waxes, plasticizers, antioxidants and other fillers that provide the finished product with the necessary plasticity, adhesion, resistance to embrittlement and ultraviolet radiation. To give a certain color, the hot melt adhesive contains pigments. Inert additives, such as chalk, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, allow you to reach the desired proportions, as well as reduce the cost of the final product.

Advantages and disadvantages

Hot melt adhesives have the following advantages:

connection of materials is made quickly and with the minimum expenses of the electric power and work;
the gluing process takes minimal time, because the finished product does not need to be dried;
no shrinkage;
have high frost resistance, do not become brittle;
fit well on uneven surfaces;
fire and explosion-proof;
non-toxic;
long shelf life;
convenience of storage.

As disadvantages of hot melt adhesives, we can distinguish:

creep under load;
loss of joint strength with increasing temperature;
the need to purchase a thermal gun or other equipment for applying glue;
high risk of burns.

The scope of hot glue is very wide. As a rule, this type of glue is used for the manufacture of containers, clothes, shoes, in construction, decorative arts, bookbinding, furniture production and in many other areas.

Mebax offers a wide range of hot melt adhesives and

This is a product that, when heated, changes from a solid to a viscous consistency, and when cooled, it becomes solid again. As a result of this process, various materials are bonded together. Moreover, the connection is so strong that when the glued parts break, destruction occurs near the joint or along the body of the material, but not along the seam. Hot glue can be used to glue paper and textiles, cardboard and wood, glass and plastic, leather, ceramics and other materials to each other and to various surfaces.

The main advantages of glue

In addition to the already mentioned qualities of obtaining a heavy-duty connection and versatility in terms of use, hot melt adhesive has other useful properties:

the polymerization process of the material is incredibly fast, but the drying time depends on the thickness of the applied layer, the condition of the surfaces to be glued and the ambient temperature;
the ability to create a rigid connection, only those materials and products that should not be subjected to thermal expansion during operation can be glued with hot glue;
products connected with hot-melt adhesive have a long service life, they are not afraid of moisture, frost, or ultraviolet rays.

The advantages of the material also include its quite reasonable price, a kilogram of hot melt adhesive costs around 300-350 rubles.

Range

There are many types of hot melt adhesives, differing in the shape of stickers, color, transparency.

Translucent white glue is considered universal. Equally effective at home and at work.
Multi-colored opaque glue sticks are needed for gluing colored materials and products. For example, connecting parts of green, red or blue with a sticker of the same shade, you can get completely invisible seams.
White matte hot melt adhesive is available in two versions. One glues white elements, the other is used to work with glass. Therefore, when purchasing a product, pay attention to the manufacturer's recommendations. They will tell you what hot melt glue of a particular brand glues.

For paper, cardboard, wood, choose transparent yellow rods. The rods of an opaque yellowish color, as well as gray and black ones, are not glue, they are sealants. They serve to fill joints and insulate cables, as they have dielectric properties.

The composition of the adhesives are divided into:

ethylene vinyl acetate - the most widespread, used for gluing a wide range of materials and elements;
polyolefin based on metallocene - usually used where too high or low temperatures are expected;
alpha-poly-olefins begin to polymerize 6 minutes after application, therefore they are used to work with large areas and products with elevated temperatures;
The use of PSA hot melt adhesive is ideal when working with difficult-to-bond materials.

Methods for applying hot glue

Melting adhesive can also be applied manually, with a small roller, after subjecting the adhesive product to heating. But this process is laborious and justified only with a very small amount of work.

It is much more convenient to use special equipment - a hot-melt adhesive gun. This is a tool in which glue sticks are heated by electric current. There are different types of pistols. Some of them work from the network, others - from an independent power source, that is, from a battery.

The technical characteristics of a hot melt adhesive for a gun are determined by the power of the tool, the glue supply rate and the amount of work. So, for home use, rods with a diameter of 7-11 mm and a length of 40 to 200 mm are sufficient. Larger sticks are used for industrial scale work. In this case, the hot glue gun needs more power, and its cost is quite high.

The gluing process is as follows:

first you need to clean the working surfaces from dirt, grease, dust;
too smooth parts are processed with sandpaper or notched;
cold elements should be slightly warmed up to avoid sudden cooling of the adhesive composition;
To use hot glue, you must quickly and immediately press the materials or parts to be joined.

Depending on the configuration of the elements to be glued, the adhesive can be applied in strips, and best of all in a sine wave.

Getting started with the gun: insert the glue rod into the cartridge, just plug in the plug, wait a few minutes to warm up. And then, by pressing the trigger, we squeeze out the required amount of glue onto the surface to be treated. When working, you need to ensure that the molten mass does not get on the skin in any case.

The melting point of hot melt adhesive is quite high, it begins to melt at 80°C. But most guns operate at temperatures between 150 and 200°C. The average feed rate of the melted adhesive is 5-20 g/min. It depends on the working temperature of the tool and the speed of heating the rod.

There are modifications of glue guns equipped with peculiar nozzles. In this case, the glue does not come out in a strip, but is sprayed onto the surface. This quality is convenient to use when working with large areas.

Error correction

There are frequent cases of glue getting on a clean area of \u200b\u200bthe part or material. And something needs to be done about it. The most difficult thing is to work with textiles, because liquid glue penetrates deep into the fabric very quickly. You can buy a special hot melt adhesive remover, or use the "folk" methods:

Freeze. Just place the soiled material in the freezer. Frost glue will become brittle and must be quickly removed with the back end of a spoon or a dull knife. It might fall off on its own.
With the help of an iron. The glue stain should be covered with a piece of cotton fabric and ironed with a hot iron in several steps. But each time with a new piece of clean canvas.

You can also remove the hot melt adhesive with acetone or pure ethyl alcohol. To do this, you must first check the reaction of the processed material to this liquid. With a positive outcome, it is necessary to act on the stain with a swab dipped in acetone or alcohol. These solvents gradually remove the adhesive. Finish the procedure with a dry cloth.