Sprayable hot melts have been around for nearly 20 years, and in that time, they’ve established themselves as a key component in the manufacture of many everyday products.
In the furniture industry for example, as production demands have increased and designs have evolved, manufacturers have turned to these advanced adhesive technologies to improve efficiency, reduce waste and enhance product quality. From foam bonding to upholstery fixing, Tecbond sprayable hot melts play a vital role in every stage of production.
In this blog, we’ll explore some of the key applications where Tecbond sprayable hot melts have made a significant difference.
Foam-to-Foam bonding
In any piece of furniture that includes cushioning, there will be some form of high-density foam or foam structure designed to provide comfort and support, with enough integrity to hold its shape after a period of use.
These foam pieces can be difficult to bond due to their porous makeup and resistance to compression. In many circumstances, manufacturers would have used water-based adhesives due to the very strong bonds they deliver once fully cured. However, water-based adhesives introduce some unwanted risks that are difficult to tackle. Alongside their very long curing time, if the water doesn’t evaporate properly, there’s a risk of mould growth which can then spread to other parts of the furniture.
Tecbond hot melts on the other hand are not only compromised of 100% solid content, with no evaporation or curing taking place, but they also have a high instant tack and fast setting speeds. Once an initial bond is made, it takes only a few minutes for the bond to be strong enough to enable movement through the production line, speeding up the overall production process.
Foam-to-Structure bonding
Following foam-to-foam bonding, many manufacturers will use the same hot melts to bond the finished cushioning to the structural component that makes up the frame of the furniture. This includes seat bottoms, back supports, and even backing boards for decorative pieces or acoustic paneling.
As with the foam-to-foam bonds, Tecbond spray adhesive will form a final bond much faster than a water or solvent-based alternative. Using the same adhesive for all stages of the process also cuts down on production costs and materials, without compromising on performance.
Alongside wood, Tecbond spray adhesives will also effectively bond foam pieces to almost any building material including metal and most plastics (including polypropylene and polyethylene).
Upholstery Fabrics
Due to their excellent coverage and zero risk of mould growth, hot melts continue to be a common alternative for bonding upholstery fabrics to the finished foam pieces. They also act as a temporary bond on wooden framing prior to stapling or pinning.
Their high initial tack means that manufacturers can rely on a strong temporary bond while they prepare to finish securing the fabric with the necessary fastener.
Our sprayable hot melts have been used to bond fabrics in sofas, armchairs, office seating, and even wheelchairs.
Decorative Laminates
Outside of traditional veneer coverings, a lot of furniture manufacturers have turned to high pressure laminates (HPLs) to provide an easier and more robust alternative for decorative surface covering over unsightly wood substrates such as MDF, particleboard and plywood.
Primarily bonded with a solvent-based contact adhesive, this method isn’t cost-effective as the bonding process requires both surfaces to be covered to achieve a strong bond. With solvent-based adhesives being more than 60% solvent in most cases, the low initial cost of the adhesive is negated by frequency of purchase.
Alongside this, there is a significant disposal cost that comes with the empty canisters. As they contain traces of hazardous material, they require special disposal methods to avoid air pollution and human inhalation, which comes at a cost.
Tecbond spray adhesives are the ideal alternative thanks to their VOC-free composition and high tack, which reduces the amount of adhesive needed to form a strong bond. In many circumstances, users would apply the hot melt to the wooden surface only and then apply the HPL. As 100% of the product is used in the application process, there’s no waste product and no associated disposal costs.
The Overarching Benefits
Tecbond sprayable hot melts offer a more cost-effective, user-friendly and agile alternative to other commonly used products on the market.
Non-toxic and easy to handle they can be used without the need for respiratory PPE or air extraction equipment in factories, while their rapid setting speeds when compared to solvent and water-based options mean products move through the production line faster, increasing production efficiency.
To find out more about the Tecbond spray adhesive range, take a look at our adhesives page that will allow you to sort by your requirements.
Leave a Reply