A hot glue gun is a must-have for anyone who enjoys DIY crafts or needs wholesale packaging supplies for their business. This indispensable tool allows two materials to be bonded together, making it handy for a variety of activities.
A hot glue gun is a versatile bonding alternative that may be used in a variety of applications. Hot glue guns are simply plastics (or, more precisely, thermoplastic polymers) that melt at high temperatures and re-solidify when cooled to form strong connections. Its main advantage is its adaptability.
Depending on the use, there are two primary types of glue guns. Low-temperature glue guns melt glue at 250 degrees Fahrenheit and are suited for use on sensitive materials such as fabric. High-temperature guns, on the other hand, melt glue at temperatures of up to 400 degrees and are only suitable for tasks involving durable or hard materials such as wood. Dual temperature glue gun variants are available from some manufacturers, including Surebonder and Power Adhesives.
How Strong Is A Hot Glue Gun?
Low-temperature glue guns often have wattage ratings ranging from 10 to 20 watts. High-temp pistols have heating powers ranging from 20 watts to 100 watts or more.
Choose the proper size of gun for your craft. Hot melt glue guns and sticks are the strongest and most durable glues available, but they must be used with caution because they can burn extremely easily.
How strong is hot glue on plastic?
Hot melt glue bonds nicely with a variety of plastics and provides a long-lasting adhesive. It can be used to secure the plastic to surfaces such as plastic, tiles, and wood, with the advantage of avoiding drilling or nailing and thereby damaging surfaces. Hot melt glue can also be used to repair a wide range of plastic goods.
Hot melt sticks were developed in the 1940s to improve on the water-based adhesives that were not water/moisture resistant. They were made as cylindrical sticks that melted in the glue guns before being dispensed. Glue guns are now employed in a variety of applications ranging from delicate cloth fibers to thick materials such as wood. Choosing the proper glue gun is just as crucial as choosing the right adhesive.
Bonding Glue Stick on Different Kinds of Plastic
Plastic is one of the most difficult surfaces to bind to, however, we have discovered a hot melt glue stick that will bond polyethylene, PVC, and PET. This hot melt is often used in the manufacture of PE boxes and display units. It has a 28-second open time and a 17-second set time.
We’ve had multiple clients discover success with these sticks in their applications.
Bonding Materials Compositions:
Plastics, commonly known as synthetic resins, are organic polymers that may be molded into shapes when soft. PVC (Polyvinyl chloride), High-Density PE (Polyethylene), and PET were employed in our testing of these Plastic Hot Melt Sticks (Polyethylene terephthalate).
- PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) is a thermoplastic composed of 43% carbon and 57% chlorine. PVC is very resistant to fire and possesses self-extinguishing qualities. This material is used in garden hoses, electrical wire insulation, roof gutters, vinyl flooring, children’s dolls, wrapping film, and other applications.
- High Density PE (Polyethylene) is a thermoplastic material which is widely used in bottle caps, containers, Tyvek, plastic bags, water pipes, plastic lumber, and other applications.
- PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) is a thermoplastic with a high barrier to oxygen and carbon dioxide. This material is frequently used for bottled water, oven trays, oven foils, fleece, and other applications.
How Strong is Hot Glue on Metal?
When joining and welding are not possible, a hot glue gun is an excellent technique to bond metal. If you’ve ever tried to combine two pieces of metal, you’ll know that it’s a little more difficult than bonding paper, wood, or board.
Here’s what you need to know about metal bonding glue and what you should think about before embarking on the project.
A glue gun is only a possibility when just one of the surfaces is metal. It must also be a light metal. When the glue will be exposed to high temperatures after curing, avoid using a glue gun. Hot glue is made to react with heat.
How do I know if the glue will stick to my metal?
Test your glue on a tiny piece of surface. If the adhesive creates beads on the surface, it isn’t suited for bonding that specific type of metal.
After a minor abrasion, try it again. You should be able to evenly apply the adhesive across the surface. If it distributes evenly without producing beads, you’ve found the proper glue for the job. Metal bonding can be successful if the proper adhesive is used and the essential preparation steps are taken. You’ll soon establish a strong bond that you can be proud of.
How do I prepare the surface for bonding?
Metal surfaces tend to stick better if you lightly smooth them with fine-grit sandpaper before attempting to attach them. The abrasion aids the adhesive’s adhesion to the surface. Wipe each surface with acetone or methyl ethyl ketone (MEK). Make use of clean cloth that will not leave fibers behind.
Whether you sanded the surface or not, do the wipe-down. If there is any oil or grease on the surface, use a stronger degreaser. Once the oil has been removed, give the surface a brief wipe with acetone or MEK to ensure that the degreaser has been removed. Allow each surface to completely dry before applying the glue.
Final Verdict
You may be familiar with several forms of glue, but hot glue is quite different. The gun uses heat to melt thermoplastic adhesive sticks. The glue is strong enough for modest crafts and do-it-yourself projects. It is moldable and easily peels away from a variety of surfaces.
Beatrix Ainsley (Bea to her friends) is an abstract artist who was heavily inspired in her twenties by the abstract expressionist movement of the 1940s. Since then Bea has acquired three degrees in Science, Education and most importantly Fine Art. Her art works showcase exploring emotion and introspection of self. To achieve this – the use of bold, sweeping, intricate layers of color, and spontaneity of form is enhanced by reflecting on decades of life experiences. Bea has amassed a vast knowledge of art in all its forms, and hopes to pass it on with her contributions here.
