Products & Solutions

What is the difference between adhesives, pressure sensitive adhesives, and hot melts

Image of a familiar situation where pressure sensitive adhesives are used (packages displayed in a supermarket)
pressure sensitive adhesives are now used in a wide variety of fields, from sticker labels on food products to LCD televisions and automobiles, making them very familiar chemical products to us. However, the word "pressure sensitive adhesives" itself may not be very familiar to you. In fact, our group has multiple products that have a "sticking" function, not just pressure sensitive adhesives, but their differences and features are generally not known.
Here, we would like to introduce only `` adhesives,'' `` pressure sensitive adhesives,'' and hot melts.''

Difference between "adhesives", "pressure sensitive adhesives" and "hot melts"

"Adhesives," "adhesives," and "hot melts" have the function of "pressure sensitive adhesives," but the general differences can be expressed as shown in the diagram below.

adhesives (laminating adhesives) has strong adhesion and durability. hot melts /HM (solid type adhesives) has the advantage that no curing time is required. pressure sensitive adhesives feature a wide range of adhesive strengths.

Due to these differences in performance, each product is used for the following purposes.

adhesives (laminating adhesives)

Various packaging materials for food applications, highly durable parts for energy and electronics, etc.

Various packaging materials for food applications
Highly durable components for electronics

Pressure sensitive adhesives

Sticker labels, healthcare products, electronics-related products such as protective films and liquid crystal lamination, etc.

sticker label
Healthcare products
Electronics-related products such as protective films and liquid crystal laminations

Hot-melt

PET bottle body labels, yogurt cap seals (heat sealant for lids), internal fixation of sanitary products (diapers, napkins), slip prevention, etc.

PET bottle body label
sanitary products

Examples of use of adhesives, pressure sensitive adhesives, and hot melts (composition, coating)

Most adhesives, pressure sensitive adhesives, and hot melts are not applied directly with a brush, but are processed into the compositions shown below.

Base material, composition, adhesive processed products, adhesive processed products, hot melts processed products
hot melts image

* Note:
hot melts is usually provided in solid form, and it is necessary to melt the resin by applying heat and process it into a liquid. (The photo is an example of hot melts)

In order to make a product with this kind of composition, knowing what kind of equipment to use for coating is also an important element that requires know-how. I will write down the model diagram.

Model diagram of coating equipment for adhesives etc.
  • hot melts have supply equipment that melts the resin before coating. Drying process is basically not necessary.

Among the coating machines, the type of coater head and the drying oven are particularly important. The viscosity of the liquid to be painted, the speed of the machine, and the substrate (type of paper or film) will depend on the design and settings.
There are also spray coating methods and application methods that apply directly to the object you want to stick, such as a glue gun, and some products do not require a coating machine.
In this way, products that are compatible with the coating machine and coating method must be selected in consideration of the characteristics of the liquid.

Field of use

Energy Electronics medical care Automotive Food and beverage life industry
Adhesives
Pressure sensitive adhesives
Hot-melt under development
Energy field, solar cells
Automotive/Mobility
food beverage packaging

If you are looking for something that requires "sticking" performance, please contact us.

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Product Guide

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We have prepared a "3-minute 'pasting' guide" that explains adhesives, pressure sensitive adhesives, and hot melts. Please use the form below to make a request.
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Inquiries

TOYOCHEM CO., LTD. Packaging and Industrial Materials Sales Division Sales Department 1

TOYOCHEM CO., LTD.