Key Questions to Ask When Ordering hot melt adhesive pellets

What is Bulk Hot Melt?

Hot melt, which is often purchased in the form of glue sticks can also be purchased for bulk use in solid, gummy, liquid cube, pillow, and pellet form. These forms of bulk hot melt are dispensed with specialized bulk equipment for many industries we benefit from everyday including, cabinetry and furniture, food packaging, countertops, major appliances, shoes, mattresses, and more. 

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Choosing what bulk hot melt and dispensing equipment you need can be a difficult obstacle without the right access to information and tools to make the most well-informed decision. We hope this guide can serve as a good resource for you to start exploring your options when it comes to bulk hot melt. At Gluegun.com, we are always here to give you the best professional advice, so don’t hesitate to contact us with other questions. 

Benefits of Using Bulk Hot Melt

The greatest advantage bulk hot melt offers compared to traditional hot melt glue sticks is the cost savings it offers. Bulk hot melt typically undergoes less manufacturing and packaging so you’re able to pay less per pound for the same product that is sold in an individual stick form. Additionally, the purchasing of bulk hot melt usually involves wholesale pricing, so you can be sure you’re getting the best value. 

Another valuable quality offered by bulk hot melt is versatility. Bulk hot melt is generally considered to be more a more universal adhesive compared to traditional hot melt glue sticks because it can be used in a variety of equipment, unlike glue sticks which come in precise sizes that only work with specific glue guns. 

Bulk Hot Melt For Your Application

Packaging

Bulk hot melt is a favorite in the packaging industry because of its ability to be used on a variety of substrates and to be applied with various machines, at differing speeds and for many kinds of applications. It’s also able to withstand extreme conditions. One of the most popular bulk hot melts for carton closing is the Warren Adhesive HM 065. 

Foam Packaging

Foam packaging requires certain specifications like a slow set time and excellent tack to make sure your glue is positioned in the right place. Warren Adhesive HM 363 works with both cardboard and foam substrates and is designed for both foam to foam and foam to corrugated applications. 

Labeling

Because it’s able to expand and contract with ease and is specially formulated to adhere to sensitive substrates, bulk hot melt is essential to the labeling industry. One of our favorites is the Warren Adhesive HM . It bonds to glass, cardboard, and plastic and is suitable or bonding even pre-filled plastic bottles, paper-backed films, and carbonated drink bottles.

Woodworking

The extreme temperature resistance properties of bulk hot melt make it perfect for woodworking applications. There are many formulations for woodworking that are specific for pre-coating, profile wrapping, edge banding, soft forming, v-grooving, top laminating, and general assembly applications. The Infinity SuperTac 11 is commonly used in woodworking when strong, flexible bonds are required. It can be dispensed in bead form or as a spray while adapting to extreme temperatures and providing impact resistance. 

Product Assembly

The versatility of hot melt allows different formulations to bond many materials like wood, plastics, glass, metals, wood, and more. There is also a range of open times you an choose from to be sure you’re using the right bulk hot melt for your specific product assembly application. One of our go-to adhesives for product assembly is the Power Tecbond because of its versatility and high bond strength.

Print Finishing 

Bulk hot melt is used in bookbinding, catalogs, magazines, and other print finishing applications because of its excellent ability to lay flat and open qualities. The Power Tecbond F bulk hot melt bonds to a wide variety of paper and cover stocks and has a very low odor and fast setting speed, making it the perfect adhesive for your print finishing applications. 

Floral

Though sometimes overlooked, hot melt plays a big role in the floral industry. It’s used to assemble floral arrangements and even for very specific purposes like decorating parade floats. Our favorite bulk hot melt for floral applications is the Surebonder because it’s commonly used with skillets and at individual stations. 

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Questions? We Are Here to Help. 

September 12,

Hot melts are thermoplastic glues that are solid at room temperature. They are melted by heat to a liquid from and then applied to the substrate. The hot melt will then solidify to form a bond between the substrates.

Hot melt glues are a versatile type of adhesive that is particularly popular for packaging applications. They were created to solve the issue of water-based adhesives that were failing in humid environments.

The Different Types of Hot Melt Adhesives

Hot melts include a diverse collection of adhesives. There are several different kinds of hot melt glues, and each has their own advantages and disadvantages. If you are looking for a hot melt for your application, it is important to understand these differences to ensure you choose the right type of hot melt adhesive.

Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVAs)

EVA adhesives are the most common type of hot melt glue. They are a copolymer adhesive and bond well to cellulosic materials. As a result, they are commonly used in paper, packaging, and assembly applications.  

Compared to other kinds of hot melt adhesives, EVAs can bond to a more diverse number of substrates and have one of the widest temperature ranges. Even better, EVAs also tend to be the cheapest kind of hot melt.

Amorphous Poly Alpha Olefin (APAOs)

In their truest form, APAO hot melts are made up entirely of propylene, but they are also often combined with Ethylene or Butene-1 to change the characteristics of the adhesive. Compared to traditional hot melts, they are known for their high heat resistance. APAOs can also be formulated to have desirable properties like cold resistance and long open times.

Polyamides (PAs)

Polyamide hot melt adhesives are also known for their high heat resistance, but they can be expensive compared to other types of hot melt glues like EVAs. They also tend to have a high resistance to oil and chemicals, so they are desirable in applications where these properties are necessary such as in automotive assembly.

Polyurethane (PUR)

One of the biggest benefits of PUR hot melts are their great strength. Unlike traditional hot melts, PUR hot melts will react with moisture in the air and undergo a chemical change instead of just a thermal bond. As a result, the bond will continue to strengthen over the next 24 hours. This property makes them stronger than traditional hot melt, but they tend to also be more expensive.

Metallocene

Metallocene hot melts are made from metal-catalyzed polyethylene. What makes them unique is that they are less dense and voluminous than other hot melts. As a result, less glue is required to create an optimal strength and lasting bond. They also have a long pot life, produce minimal odor, and lead to little stringing.

Choosing the Right Type of Hot Melt Glue

Different hot melts have different purposes. Now that you know more about the different hot melt glue types, you may have a better idea of what you need for your application. You should keep in mind your production process, substrates, environmental factors, and budget. 

Contact us to discuss your requirements of hot melt adhesive pellets. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.