Troubleshooting Pesky Water-Based Adhesive Issues

Troubleshooting pesky water-based adhesive issues

Water-based adhesives are notoriously user-friendly.

Even if your business uses huge quantities of water-based adhesive in an industrial process, chances are you’ve never run into any issues.

But there are the unlucky few that encounter an irritating, recurring problem.

The solution is usually simple (for someone in the adhesive business), but without our expertise, you could be at a loss.

If you stumbled across our blog looking for an answer, you’re in luck. Troubleshooting your pesky water-based adhesive issues is easy. Get to the bottom of it below.

It’s usually one of three things

There are only ever 3 issues with water-based adhesives:

• Setting speed is too slow.
• Adhesion is insufficient.
• Excessive penetration or holdout.

So how do you content with each?

Setting speed is too slow

The likely cause is:

• Improper viscosity.
• Improper solids.
• Improper application.

Troubleshoot by:

• Checking to see if the product was ever diluted.
• Ensuring the adhesive is thoroughly stirred before application.
• Dilute with water if product has been gathering dust for several months.
• Review the volume of adhesive you use. Over-application can slow setting speed.

Adhesion is insufficient for your application

Poor adhesion often comes from:

• Improper viscosity.
• Improper stock.
• Improper compression.

You can troubleshoot the issue on-site in 5 steps:

• Check the viscosity of the adhesive.
• Review your application pattern – it should be uniform.
• Audit your compression process. Too much or too little can impact adhesion.
• Check for improper scoring, which can cause springy flaps.
• Change your stock or your adhesive entirely. Start from scratch.

Excessive penetration or holdout

Excessive penetration or holdout can be the result of either:

• Improper viscosity.
• Improper stock.

The fix is basically the same as other issues.

• Check your viscosity.
• Check your process compression.
• Increase or decrease the amount of adhesive.
• Change stock or adhesive.

If you didn’t get your adhesive from us, your supplier may have fudged the formulation of your adhesive.

You can contact us for an adhesive audit and make sure you have exactly what your process and materials require.

Find the water-based adhesive you need, or let us help you find it

Depending on the formulation, your water-based adhesive can cure to a hard resin finish or a tacky-filmy finish.

Water based adhesives are solvent free, so they are trusted in processes where employees or other users work in close quarters and areas that may not be well ventilated.

Is vegetable glue water-based?

Yes! Vegetable glue is a common type of water-based adhesive. It has a starch base and a brittle finish. Commonly used to bind books, this water based adhesive has a brown color and a reputation as a durable, long-term bond for paper. Like paper, it doesn’t do well when exposed to water for any length of time.

Water-based adhesives also include:

• White glue.
• Rubber latex adhesive.
• Protein adhesives.

If your water-based glue isn’t performing to the standard you require, you might be using the wrong product altogether.

The easiest way to find the right adhesive for your process is to ask the experts.

Tell us about your application and we’ll help find the perfect formulation to maximize your product quality and value for your investment.