Industrial Adhesive Manufacturing Process Steps And Qualities

The industrial adhesive manufacturing process is complex and dependent on several different factors. Fortunately, Conversion Technologies International has plenty of experience in that regard. Take a look below!

How does the industrial adhesive manufacturing process work?

The industrial adhesive manufacturing process relies on a lot of mixing. There isn’t just one single type of industrial adhesive—in fact, you’ll find six main types to choose from. Different mixtures address different needs, and we make adjustments as we create adhesives on an individualized level.

1. Select the Base

Usually, this begins with isolating the different components needed for a specific adhesive. The polymer base may be a resin—either natural or synthetic. While we may prefer natural resins in scenarios wherein they match the requirements for the adhesive, sometimes we need “extras”. Think of an additional degree of durability, or flexibility. In that case, we may choose manmade synthetic resins. Modern manufacturers frequently prefer synthetic resins, like acrylic resin. They may also select rubber or polyvinyl acetate. Natural alternatives may include vegetables or soy, or even animal bones or hides. 

2. Select Additives

Upon selecting that base component, we’ll select additives. These typically include plasticizers, tackifiers, and solvents. 

3. Blend

From that point, you’ll blend the raw ingredients into large vats. We’re able to control their temperature, melting and blending materials as needed. As the product blends, we add more additives (if necessary). 

4. Cure

Either solvents or chemical reactions initiate a curing process. Once we’re finished there, the next step would be testing the product. If you’re buying an adhesive, industrial adhesive companies (like CTI) ensure the product is fully vetted and ready for use. It’s one of the main benefits of working with a third party manufacturer—you don’t have to worry about quality issues that you might if you handled matters in-house.

What are the six types of adhesives?

As we said above, the variety in adhesive materials ensures there’s something for everyone. Some are more ideally suited for industrial adhesive bonding. Others are more suited for home usage. And some are in between! The more familiar you are with the six main types of industrial adhesive, the easier it is to understand details of the industrial adhesive manufacturing process. These types include:

• Epoxy. These adhesives provide high-strength, high-durability performance. They work in a two-part structure, resisting high temperatures and chemicals with ease. Additionally, they work well on surface that require gap-filling. You can rely on them, in other words, on multiple levels.
• Polyurethane. You’ll turn to polyurethane when you need an adhesive both durable and flexible. They also work with a variety of different materials, from plastic to metal, and even wood. This is why the construction industry often favors this adhesive.
• Polyvinyl. You’ve probably seen this glue in some form before, perhaps referred to as white glue or wood glue. Water-based, this glue spreads easily and works best with porous materials. Whether you’re working on small or large scale projects, you’ll probably apply to wood, cloth, or paper.
• Hot melt. We very frequently refer to hot melt adhesive within the industrial manufacturing space. These adhesives are thermoplastic, meaning they’re applied in a melted form, after which they harden upon cooling. If you need a fast-setting adhesive, this is your best option—and you’ll see it often used for packaging.
• Pressure-sensitive. Rather than activated through melting and then cooling like the above adhesive, this adhesive responds to pressure. It’s tacky and is what you’ll find on stickers, labels, tapes, and more.
• Cyanoacrylate. This is the technical word for superglue. This adhesive cures automatically upon making contact with liquid, and it’s super durable.

What’s the strongest manufacturing adhesive?

Ultimately, the strongest industrial adhesives are epoxies. While epoxy adhesives range in strength depending on their specific makeups, they’re generally more likely to resist damage. The strongest versions of epoxies are usually two-part adhesives, which we can create through the coating manufacturing process.

A structural epoxy works well with heavy-duty, metal components. This makes it ideal for the heavy lifting required within many industrial fields. Though not impervious to damage, it’s more likely to last for the long term than some of its alternatives. That means you’ll spend less on replacing and reapplying these epoxies over time. Ultimately, it’s a more efficient option—under the right circumstances—in many ways.

Frequently Asked Questions

Before moving on to the next step, we’ll cover some of the most frequently asked questions regarding industrial adhesives.

Does Conversion Technologies International handle industrial adhesives?

Yes, CTI has plenty of experience with adhesive coatings. In one such case, we created a specialized adhesive coating for fiberglass. Fiberglass products can be prone to damage, and it was important to this client that the adhesive was both durable and lightweight. Through experimentation and trial runs, we created a specialized adhesive perfect for our client. Learn more here.

What’s the benefit of working for a third party manufacturer?

An experienced manufacturer like CTI can provide the kind of specialized adhesive as required by the client above. You won’t have to worry about the practicalities of manufacturing, or the issues that come with trial and error. You’ll get your desired results faster and with much less stress.

How do we get in touch with CTI?

That part is easy! Give us a call at 419-924-5566 or contact us here. We’re here to answer your questions first, and can move from there.