So, you’re running Henkel PUR, PO, PP or EVA hot melt adhesives for edge banding, edge lipping, edge sealing, soft forming or straight line gluing and therefore already recognise and demand the highest quality and performance from your adhesive.
Q: What types of glues are most commonly used in edgebanding?
A: Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) and Polyurethane reactive adhesives (PUR) hot melt adhesives are the most common. Polyolefin (PO) and polypropylene (PP) hot melts are also available.
Q: Can you describe the process of applying glue for edgebanding?
A: Glue is put into the glue pot and melted to the specified temperature. Once this is reached it travels to the roller which has been adjusted to the optimal coat weight. The board passes through but does not touch the roller. A guide plate is set to ensure no contact is made between the board and the roller. Edging tape is passed through and contact between the board, glue and edging is made through the pressure rollers. The glue will lose its heat and materials are bonded.
Q: What is the advantage PUR hot-melt adhesives for edgebanding?
A: It’s universally accepted that EVA is the easiest of all to use but comes with disadvantages where the end product is likely to be subjected to steam, heat, or moisture. Polyolefin adhesives fare better and also provide better stability when melting. But, when a watertight, heat-resistant bond is required, nothing is on the market to beat the performance of a Polyurethane reactive (PUR) adhesive.
Q: Are there certain types of glue better suited for edgebanding certain materials?
A: EVA, PO and PUR adhesives are compatible will all types of cores boards and edging material: veneer, melamine, polyester, HPL, PVC, ABS and PP
Q: How does the type of glue used affect the durability and aesthetics of the edge band?
A: PUR adhesives are used if finished products are subjected to moisture, high heat or chemicals. This increases the durability of the finished product. Tight joints and zero glue lines are achievable. Good results can be achieved with EVA unfilled adhesives provided the correct type of EVA for the application is used.
Q: EVA hot melt adhesives Filled or Unfilled?
A: Technomelt KS 220/1 and Technomelt KS 611 are both filled EVA edgebanding hot melt adhesives, which are easy to apply and offer exceptional performance with very high final bond strength. Being filled EVA’s they offer the advantage of preventing stringing, whilst at the same time offering higher viscosity, which can be beneficial when applying to porous substrates such as chipboard. In the unfilled hot melt adhesive category, there is Technomelt Dorus KS 351. This can be applied at lower coat weights, thereby minimising the glue line and achieving tighter joints, whilst offering high glue mileage and high final bond strength. Technomelt KS 351 has really grown in standing to attain the status as the UK’s frontrunner and main contender when selecting an unfilled grade used by many of the well-known UK and European furniture manufacturers.
Q: What safety precautions should one take when handling and applying glue for edgebanding?
A: Always wear protective clothing: overalls or long-sleeve shirts, closed-toe shoes, heat-resistant gloves, and safety glasses or goggles. Keep long hair tied back, especially when this involves working with the hot glue pot. Molten adhesive can cause burns. Extraction is required when running PUR-based hot melt adhesive. Always read the safety data sheet (SDS) before use. You should always: Work in a well-ventilated area and run at the recommended operating temperature.
Q: How can one ensure an even application of glue for optimal edgebanding?
A: Running temperature, guide plate setting, and coat weight are all vital in achieving good glue coverage. The board must not touch the roller. You can reverse the edging tape or put the board through without edging (depending on the machine setup) to check glue coverage.
Q: How do you clean up any excess or spilt glue during the edgebanding process?
A: Hot melt cleans are available to clean the outside of the machine (not glue pot) or adhesive overspill on boards. Technomelt Melt O Clean and Technomelt PURE are both good options.
Q: Benefits of Polyolefin (PO) hot melt adhesives:
A: Polyolefin-based adhesives have better hydrolysis and heat resistance than EVA-based adhesives. They are easier to apply than PUR adhesive as EVA hot melts do not require a wax cleaner and also lower the formation of strings at the application unit, whilst providing better stability in the melting equipment, in comparison with standard EVA-based adhesives. Remember PUR based adhesives will always outperform both EVA or PO adhesives for heat and moisture resistance!
Q: How does the curing time of the glue impact the edgebanding process and final product?
A: The curing time of the glue can have a big impact on the manufacturing process and the quality of the final product. Ensure the glue is correct for your machine speed (m/min) and make sure the correct running temperature is followed. This may increase or decrease depending on working conditions. Glue drying too quickly or taking too long to go off will both result in bond failures.
Q: Are there eco-friendly glue options for edgebanding?
A: Markets are demanding more from adhesive technology. Sustainable and renewable adhesives along with Micro Emission are dominating the market. Technomelt 270-9 micro emissions PUR technology and Technomely 279-9 PUR adhesive based on renewable carbon-based raw materials making gluing kinder to the planet.
Q: Why use Micro emission PUR adhesives?
A: Micro emission PUR adhesives from Henkel, contain less than 0.1 % Isocyanate, therefore reducing the hazardous isocyanate-containing vapours by up to a staggering 90%! Nobody likes warning labels and the fact that we can now eliminate this has huge benefits not only to ourselves but also for end users, whilst still providing them with a PUR adhesive used for bonding all commonly used edging materials; PVC, ABS, veneer and solid wood to core boards. With companies becoming increasingly mindful of health and safety are turning to ME adhesives to allow them to improve their operating procedures whilst at the same time reducing risk. The solution is simple Henkel Technomelt Micro Emission adhesives (ME). These adhesives offer the same performance benefits that come with PUR technologies, but without the hazardous labelling, making it more environmentally friendly and safer for operators to handle.
Q: Do Henkel provide hot melt cleaners?
A: The Henkel name is quite rightly associated with quality and market-leading technologies, and this doesn’t purely apply to their adhesives, but also to their extensive range of hot melt cleaners, which cover everything from surface cleaning to system/application equipment cleaning. Given that an effective cleaning process can make all the difference in meeting deadlines, maximising output and achieving daily goals, we are here to help set you on the right path and ensure you are getting the most out of your day. The right cleaner will bring you many operational benefits, ensuring consistent dispensing & bond quality, reducing downtime & maintenance, as well as prolonging the lifespan of application equipment. Not to mention the peace of mind factor – there’s nothing better than being able to leave your equipment safe in the knowledge that the cleaning process has finished and therefore your edge bander will be all ready for the start of the next production run. Whilst a good cleaning process is key for all adhesives, it is essential for PUR adhesives to prevent the glue from cross-linking. A good quality and appropriate cleaner used in the correct way can save hours of downtime over the lifetime of the edge bander by reducing the amount of time spent on the cleaning process, thereby maximising production time. Streamlining the cleaning process is just as key as selecting the most appropriate and superior quality adhesive.
