Tecbond Spray vs Spray Cans – Why you should make the switch

When manufacturers are looking for a bonding solution that gives a near-instant hold and offers larger surface coverage, their initial thoughts are to look for an aerosol spray solution. For years, these options have provided a convenient and, on the surface, cheap solution to their issue.

However, over the past few years, scrutiny has increased around these adhesives, due to their impact on the environment, and the hazards they pose to workers if not used correctly. As these concerns continue to grow, manufacturers are beginning to rethink what they actually need from a spray adhesive. Rather than prioritising convenience alone, there is a clear shift towards solutions that offer greater control, improved safety, and reduced environmental impact – without compromising on performance.

This is where sprayable hot melt systems, such as the Tecbond spray range, are changing the way people approach their bonding tasks.

The drawback of aerosol spray adhesives

• Health and Safety Risks – Although there is a major focus on the respiratory problems inhaling solvents can cause, this isn’t the only health and safety issue around solvent-based adhesive systems. Many people can experience skin and eye irritation when exposed to airborne solvents. They’re also highly flammable, and can combust when exposed to direct sunlight or increased room temperatures, so careful control of storage and working environment is required.
• Environmental Impact – The volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) present in solvents are a huge contributor to air pollution, with evidence of both water contamination and soil pollution in scenarios where solvent-based products aren’t disposed of correctly.
• Cost Inefficiencies – Although the initial cost outlay seems minimal when assessed per can of adhesive, most jobs will take several cans of adhesive to complete, which soon adds up, along with the associated disposal costs. Alongside this, many solvent-based adhesives are colourless when applied, leading to overspray and waste product.
• Inconsistent application – Coupled with the overspray, many spray cans will experience changes in pressure and output dependant on how the adhesive is applied. This can lead to heavy patches and uneven coatings.

What are manufacturers looking for in an alternative?

The three main components most manufacturers are now looking for in an adhesive system are safety, speed, and bond strength. A solvent/VOC free solution is a great thing, but it’s difficult to adopt a different technology if it doesn’t meet the manufacturers time requirements, or bond the same substrates that a current or established solution does.

Moreover, if a solution can speed up processes, while providing the same bonding performance, it’s easier to integrate into the production cycle.

The Tecbond Spray System

Part of the Power Adhesives range of solutions, the Tecbond spray system utilises compressed air, in conjunction with hot melt technology to provide a more user-friendly, eco-conscious and faster alternative to spray cans.

Unlike a regular hot melt tool that dispenses adhesive in a bead, Tec spray tools such as the Tec 6300 and Tec 7300 create a swirl-like pattern that offers greater surface coverage and visibility, without minimising bonding quality.

The system is already widely used in the product assembly and construction industry, where it can be found as a component in mattresses, cushioned furniture, mobility equipment and vehicle interiors to name a few. In recent years, the system has been trialled in the high-pressure laminate industry when adding outer layers to worktops and indoor furnishings.

The key advantages over aerosols

1. Safer for operators

As hot melts are 100% solid material and are VOC-free, there’s are minimal health & safety risks involved. The lack of harmful propellants means operators do not need any respiratory PPE when using the system, nor do businesses need any air extraction equipment to keep their workers safe.

2. More environmentally responsible

Outside of user safety, the absence of VOCs means there’s no air pollution created from the bonding process. Additionally, there is no waste product either, so there’s a much lower risk of any soil or water pollution that’s usually associated with spray can disposal.

3. Cost-Effectiveness

Unlike their solvent-based counterparts, Tecbond hot melts are visible when sprayed, allowing users to accurately control not only the amount of adhesive they’re applying, but where they’re applying it. This greatly reduces overspray and keeps the cost-per-bond down. Despite the initial outlay for equipment and setup, the long-term cost saving when comparing hot melt slugs to aerosol cans is significant.

4. Overall Performance

Despite using less adhesive, Tecbond hot melts will match and even outperform the best solvent-based spray adhesives on almost any common building material. Not only this, but their speed of set is what really sets hot melts apart from other adhesives, particularly solvent-based types that require a “flashing-off” period of several hours. In comparison, Tecbond hot melts will provide a near-instant bond and set within minutes.

The next step in performance bonding

Aerosol spray adhesives are slowly becoming an outdated solution. Although convenient and easy to just grab-and-go, the issues around their safety and waste can not be overlooked by modern manufacturing businesses.

The Tecbond spray system is more than just another alternative, it’s the next step in a more eco-conscious look at bonding. By eliminating the need for propellants, reducing waste, and giving operators greater control, they address many of the long-standing challenges associated with traditional spray cans—without sacrificing performance.

For more information on the Tecbond spray system, contact our sales team or check out our sprayable solutions here.