Hot Melt Adhesives, also known as Hot Melt Glues, are generally 100% solid formulations based on thermoplastic polymers (no water or solvents are involved). Hot melts are sold in a solid state at room temperature and are ‘activated’ upon heating beyond their softening point which is usually between 50 and 160 degrees. 

Once melted in a hot melt tank, the adhesive can then be applied onto a substrate in its liquified or molten state. The hot melt wets the substrate to penetrate the surface, and then it solidifies to ensure cohesion. This setting/cooling process takes very little time. Adhesive that cool and remain tacky are known as pressure sensitive adhesives (PSA) - these we will cover in depth another time.

When a Hot Melt Adhesive is being cooled back to room temperature, it rapidly builds up its internal strength. The solidified state of a Hot Melt is where it has structural integrity and can function as an adhesive. Hot Adhesives can be applied onto a substrate in many ways (when they are in liquid form) such as via a roller or more commonly being jetted or sprayed from a nozzle or gun. There are also many different types of application patterns such as spiral sprays, dots and continuous lines.

Hot Melt adhesives are used in both the commercial and residential sectors across many different industries for countless applications. You can find Hot Melts in food packaging, woodworking, product assembly, labeling, children's toys, arts and crafts and so forth. 

At Cheshire, our Hot Melt Adhesives come in 4 categories - 

Hygiene Adhesive

Label Glue

Pest Control Glue

Specialty Adhesive

www.cheshirehotmelt.com