Hot glue is also known as hot melt adhesive (HMA). It is one of the forms of the thermoplastic adhesives, which is available in the market as cylindrical sticks of different diameters. A heating element is the main and the most important part of the hot gun glue, that provides continuous heat that is used to melt the plastic glue. In some hot guns, some mechanical trigger mechanisms are present used for pushing the glue outside the gun. In some cases, no such mechanism is available so the plastic glue is pushed by using finger pressure. The glue coming out of the gun’s nozzle is very hot. If touched, it can burn the hands and also cause blisters. When heated, the glue becomes sticky, and it gets hard in a few seconds to a minute. Hot gun glue can also be applied by dipping or spraying, and are very famous among the enthusiasts and craftsmen and is considered as a cheap and unique method to pasting and resin casting.
Specialties of the hot gun glue:
Some famous specialties of this gun are as following:
- Thickness of the melted glue:
The viscosity of a fluid is a measure of its resistance to deformation at a given rate. For liquids, we use the word of thickness instead of viscosity. Temperature has a great effect on the thickness of the glue. If the temperature increases then the thickness of the glue decreases and vice versa.
- Flow of index of the glue:
Melt flow is also known as the molecular weight of the glue. If the rate flow is high this means that there is less weight of the glue and vice versa. Melt flow of index is actually the measure of the ease of the flow of the hot glue from the hot gun glue.
- Pot life stability of the hot glue:
It is the degree of the measurement of the stability of the molten state.
- Bond formation temperature:
A specific temperature is required for its smooth functioning otherwise melting does not occur.
Materials used in glue gun:
There are many different types of the materials like:
- Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), also known as poly (ethylene-vinyl acetate) (PEVA).
- Ethylene acrylate
- Polyethylene and Polypropylene
- Polybutene-1
- Polyamide
- Polyester
- Polyurethanes
- Styrene block copolymers (SBC)
Some materials perform some specific functions in the glue gun like:
- Styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) is a material that is used in high-strength PSA applications.
- Styrene-isoprene-styrene is used in low-viscosity high-tack PSA applications.
- Styrene-ethylene or butylene-styrene (SEBS), can be used in low self-adhering non-woven applications.
- Styrene-ethylene or propylene (SEP) has also very important function.
- Polycaprolactone with soy protein is considered as the plasticizer along with the use of coconut oil. This unique adhesive firstly investigated in a university at Korea.
- Polycarbonates also play a key role in glue gun.
- Fluoropolymers, with tackifiers and ethylene copolymer with polar groups can also be used in this gun.
How does glue gun works?
- Put a glue stick through the hole in the back of the hot melt glue gun and then push it into the bottom.
- Check the power cord or connection before using it.
- When you connect the gun to the power supply, turn the switch on. After this at the same time the indicator’s light also goes on.
- Before proper using of the gun, you should heat the gun for 3 to 5 minutes. But this preheating depends upon the temperature and power of the glue gun.
- After the spray from the nozzle of the glue gun, you can use it.
- If you don’t use the hot glue gun, turn off the power. Don’t pull out the glue stick inserted in the glue gun lest to damage it.
