hot-melt adhesive
Quick Summary
A hot-melt adhesive is a fast-drying, nonvolatile adhesive that is applied hot in a molten state. Adhesives, in general, are substances capable of holding materials together through surface attachment that resists separation. While the term "adhesive" can encompass materials like cement, glue, and paste, this article focuses on organic adhesives, both natural and synthetic.12
Hot-melt adhesives are based on thermoplastic resins that melt at high temperatures without degrading. They are applied as hot liquids to the surfaces being joined. Common polymers used in hot-melt adhesives include polyamides, polyesters, and ethylene-vinyl acetate. These adhesives are widely used in non-structural applications, such as in the automotive and home-appliance industries. However, their use is limited by a lack of high-temperature strength, typically with an upper use temperature around 40–65 °C (100–150 °F). To improve performance at higher temperatures, "structural hot-melts" have been developed by modifying thermoplastics with reactive urethanes or silane-modified polyethylene.2
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