Adhesive Manufacturing Process: How Does The System Work?

If you’re curious about the adhesive manufacturing process, you’ve come to the right place. Conversion Technologies International has experience working within the adhesive industry, and we’re ready to share our expertise!

What are the three main types of adhesives?

We usually circle back to three main adhesive products. While they’re quite different from one another and serve different purposes, we divide them based on their structural makeup. They include:

• Acrylics. When we need our adhesives to be resistant to heat and UV rays, we look to acrylic polymers. They’re lab-made, usually on a large scale. The tackiness of acrylic adhesives (managed through added tackifiers) makes them easier to work with. Generally speaking, they’re usually more protective than other adhesives, in part thanks to their heat- and UV-resistance. They’re harder to the touch and less flexible, and they don’t change colors. This is particularly important when you consider the aesthetic of adhesive coatings. They won’t yellow in the sun, and this reflects their general durability.
• Rubber. Technically, there are two different types of rubber adhesives: natural and synthetic. We tap natural rubber from trees, adding resins to make them tacky to the touch. After that, we usually use it as the adhesive for tape. Synthetic rubber, as you can probably imagine, is lab-created. While we simulate the properties of natural rubber to create synthetic rubber, its synthetic nature allows us to address structural weaknesses in the natural product. Natural rubber’s shear-resistance keeps us from being able to easily move from one place to another. Both types of rubber are tacky and pliable—synthetic rubber just has this extra benefit.
• Silicone. There are so many benefits to silicone adhesives. This adhesive material is resistant to both extreme heat and extreme cold. It’s also resistant to water, which is one of several reasons why we use it for electrical insulation. Flexible and generally non-reactive, it adheres well and lasts for the long term. You don’t have to replace this adhesive constantly!

What is the strongest adhesive made?

Broadly, the strongest adhesive material available is epoxy resin. Though different types of epoxy resin have varying degrees of strength—some altered—we can confidently say this group of adhesives is the strongest. Technically, this substance is a polymer made up of resin and a hardener. Once mixed, they create a stronger, harder substance that still adheres well. We often use it for coating and casting. It’s resistant to heat and electricity, making it a great option for electrical insulation.

Because we’re already creating epoxy resin synthetically, we can alter it to suit our needs. We can make it clear or opaque as needed, and ensure it cures at different speeds. Furthermore, we can ensure epoxy resin is flexible or rigid. It adheres to wood, plastic, glass, and metal.

As for its uses—one of the best things about epoxy resin is that we can use it within a wide variety of industries. We use it within the aerospace industry, as well as the automotive and construction fields. That’s not all—we also use it for flooring, countertops, and even artwork.

How does the adhesive manufacturing process work?

The specifics of the adhesive manufacturing process depend on the adhesives and products you’re working with. The hot melt adhesive manufacturing process, for example, has its own unique qualities and can’t be directly compared to others.

We mentioned the existence of synthetic rubber adhesive as well as silicone. We formulate those adhesives, as well epoxy-resin, in the lab. If you’re working with synthetic adhesives, we either begin with procuring those adhesives or formulating them. From there, we’ll process them through heating or cooling, or perhaps solvent evaporation. Once the adhesives reach their final form, if we’re applying them in-house, we’ll do so. But first, the manufacturer tests for quality. This ensures you won’t have to worry about issues down the road.

Frequently Asked Questions

Don’t worry, we know you have more questions! Below are some of the most frequently asked—check them out!

What’s an example of how adhesive coating works in real life?

Here’s a quick example of how the adhesive coating process works in real life. CTI had a client that needed a particularly light adhesive coating. We needed to work with a thin fiberglass material meant for the wind and energy industries. Through a process of experimentation, we came up with a customized adhesive that worked for this base. Not only that—we were able to provide it at a yearly volume of 3 million feet, in the form of rolls 24″ in diameter.

I need a custom product and worry about quality. How can I be sure a third-party manufacturer will provide what I need?

It’s up to the manufacturer to know the strengths and limits of their product. That’s why we’re so careful with regards to quality control. You don’t have to worry about inconsistencies if you work with the right manufacturer. That’s why we recommend working with a reliable, experienced provider like CTI.

What’s the difference between a contract manufacturer and a toll manufacturer?

Both toll manufacturers and contract manufacturers offer third party manufacturing services. The difference between the two is in the amount of services provided. Toll manufacturers handle processing, but you provide the raw materials. Some clients prefer this because it means they control the materials, which works if you have a preexisting relationship with a provider. Contract manufacturers handle the process from the beginning to the end–you don’t have to worry about anything!

What comes next?

We recommend exploring further with the help of the experts. Why not get in touch with CTI? Call us at 419-924-5566 or contact us here. Let’s begin the conversation!