Better resistance to UV, abrasion, scratching, and impact. Better adhesion and improved properties for water-based formulation. The demands on today’s coatings, adhesives, sealants, and elastomers (CASE) create a long list of desirable properties for feedstocks.

I have worked with companies that manufacture superglue and polyurethane glue, both of which are single-component, no-mix adhesives. Superglue, which is the common term for cyanoacrylate adhesive, has been around for about 60 years. In contrast, the polyurethanes are about 20 years old in the retail market and somewhat older in professional woodworking. I admit to using both types of adhesive regularly.

Have you ever run your hot-melt tank above the adhesive manufacturer’s recommended operating temperature? Did someone on the line ever forget to turn the equipment off at the end of the day? What about drips on the tank lid, or that one spot on the nozzle that always seems to collect buildup?

Recent innovations in the electronics industry, such as hybrid vehicles, mobile electronic devices, medical applications, digital cameras, computers, defense telecommunications, and augmented reality headsets, touch nearly every part of our lives.

Who are the movers and shakers in your company? Send personnel announcements to me at suttons@bnpmedia.com.

I realize that the meter/mix equipment can be a major inconvenience. Adhesives come in two forms, namely two component or one component. Two-component adhesives are mainly epoxies, reactive acrylics, or polyurethanes.