Troubleshooting

Select the type of adhesive you are facing problem with and click on the question to open our suggested solutions.

ProblemSuggested Solution
Q.1. Adhesive mostly on one surface due to insufficient amount of adhesive or low running temperature.A.1. Apply heavier glue film thickness and/or raise temperature.
Q.2. Adhesives on both surfaces but shows “legs”. Caused by disturbing the bond while still in semi-molten state.A.2. Check compression, apply cooler, or use faster setting adhesive.
Q.3. Glossy surface appearance of hot melt. Caused by poor or non-contact of surfaces being adhered.A.3. Adjust pressure to keep glued surfaces together while hot melt cools.
Q.4. Easy Separation of bond. Usually a result of improper selection of adhesive.A.4. Try a more suitable product.

ProblemSuggested Solution
Q.1. Temperature too high in tank.A.1. Lower temperature in tank.
Q.2. Hot melt charring on side walls of tank.A.2. Keep tank filled.
Q.3. Air oxidizing hot melt.A.3. Keep tank covered.

ProblemSuggested Solution
Q.1. Overheating.A.1. Drain and flush system and lower temperature.
Q.2. Mixing of incompatible adhesives.A.2. Check with your Walmark representitive.
Q.3. Unstable hot melt (if repeated).A.3. Check with your Walmark representitive.

ProblemSuggested Solution
Q.1. Running temperature too low.A.1. Raise temperature… however, too high a tempperature can affect heat stability.
Q.2. Stock temperature too low.A.2. Prewarm stock.
Q.3. Poor timing or misalignment of carton flap to applicator roll.A.3. Machine adjustment.
Q.4. Poor shutoff of nozzle.A.4. Clean and repair nozzle shutoff.

ProblemSuggested Solution
Q.1. Nozzles clogged.A.1. Clean or repair nozzle.
Q.2. Remote nozzle in multitude nozzle set-up may be affected by pressure drop.A.2. Increase temperature or pressure slightly. Put larger orifice openings on remote nozzles. Melt down capacity of unit may be inadequate for demand. Raise temperature or add auxiliary pre-melter.

ProblemSuggested Solution
Q.1. Poor heat control.A.1. Use calibrated thermometer, reset thermostat.
Q.2. Hot melt has poor heat stability.A.2. Reduce temperature to minimum needed for a good bond. Cover reservoirs or premelters whenever possible. Open pots almost always smoke. Use suction fan over pre-melter or reservoir and exhaust fumes to outside.

Possible CauseSuggested Solutions
Improper viscosity, solids, applications.
  1. Check if product has been diluted.
  2. Check if product has been stirred thoroughly before use.
  3. Check viscosity increase due to aging. Dilute if necessary.
  4. Check for excessive application, reduce if necessary.

Possible CauseSuggested Solutions
Improper viscosity, stock, compression.
  1. Check viscosity as above.
  2. Check for uniform application pattern.
  3. Check compression (too little or too much).
  4. Check for improper scoring which can cause springy flaps. May need faster, tackier adhesive
  5. Change stock or adhesive.

Possible CauseSuggested Solutions
Improper viscosity or stock.
  1. Check viscosity as above.
  2. Check compression
  3. Increase or decrease application as required.
  4. Change stock or adhesive.

Possible CauseSuggested Solutions
Q.1. Insufficient adhesiveA.1. Increase amont of adhesive being applied.
Q.2. Porosity or sizing of substrateA.2. Improper adhesive. Contact sales representative.

Possible CauseSuggested Solutions
Q.1. Not enough adhesiveA.1. Increase amoont of adhesive being applied.
Q.2. Open time is too longA.2. Increase machine speed.
Q.3. Ambient temperature is too hotA.3. Remedy temperature if possible or increase amont of adhesive.

Possible CauseSuggested Solutions
Q.1. Too much adhesiveA.1. Reduce adhesive amount and or increase compression
Q.2. High humidityA.2. Reduce amount of adhesive being applied to compensate.
Q.3. Ambient temperature is too coldA.3. Attempt to maintain room temperature for adhesive and substrates.

Possible CauseSuggested Solutions
Q.1. Cold adhesiveA.1. Raise temperature of adhesive/ environment.
Q.2. Adhesive contaminationA.2. Ensure cleanliness of resevoir, nozzles etc.
Q.3. Adhesive build up in equipmentA.3. Check and clean all equipment.

Glossy Appearance

CauseRemedy
Insufficient pressure.Increase pressure.
Prolonged open time.Reduce open time.

Adhesive On One Surface Only

Poor joint fit.Improve joint quality.
CauseRemedy
Prolonged open time.Reduce open time.
Precure of adhesive.Check wood moisture content or decrease assmembly time.
Inadequate pressure.Increase Pressure.

Spongy Looks Cellular

CauseRemedy
Foam in adhesive.Replace glue.
Inadequate pressure.Increase pressure.
Pressure removed too soon.Increase press time.

Chalky

CauseRemedy
Adhesive, Stock and Surroundings Too Cold.Warm up plant (65oF) and Stock.

Blue-Black Stain On Hardwoods

CauseRemedy
Iron contamination.Check equipment for contact of adhesive bare iron.

Thick, Noticeable Glue Line

CauseRemedy
Poor fit.Check joint quality. Avoid hollow joints.
Inadequate pressure.Increase pressure.
Prolonged closed assembly line.Reduce assembly time.

Prominent Glue Line viewed in incident light.

CauseRemedy
Thick glue line.Improve joint quality.
Glue and finishing materials incompatible.Check with adhesive and finish suppliers.
Varying moitsture contents of wood at time of gluing.Check kiln schedule.
Oversanded (scoured).Cunsult abrasive supplier.
Sunken joints.Allow time for glued off stock to equalize before processing.

Warping

CauseRemedy
Unbalanced construction.Consult Bond Tech Rep.
Unbalanced finishing.Seal underside of panel.
Unbalanced moisture content of components.Bring all parts to equilibrium before gluing.

Telegraphing

CauseRemedy
Dirt, chips, etc., on core or in adhesive.Keep laminating area clean.
Surface defects on core material.Clean and inspect cores before laminating.
Differential density in core. (e.g. lumber banded particleboard to core)Press at minimum safe pressure. Check thickness of band relative to core.

End Checking

CauseRemedy
Stock at too high moisture content when glued.Check kiln schedule.
Starved joints.Avoid hollow joints.
Wood not sized.Check kiln schedule.

Blisters (decorative laminate)

CauseRemedy
Variation in core caliper.Check Coating uniformity face and back.
Glue line skip.Check Coating uniformity face and back.
Localized pressure.Check Coating uniformity face and back.
Steam pockets.Reduce spread rate/press temperature.

Loose Veneers

CauseRemedy
Insufficient pressure due to extended closed assembly or core too dry.Reduce closed assembly time.
Poor bond but glue on both surfaces.Increase pressure.

Loose Corners

CauseRemedy
Insufficient pressures or press time.Increase pressures and/or press time.
Lumber bands under size.Make lumber bands same thickness as core.
Core edges undersize.Check caliper of edges to give less than 0.005″ variation.

Bond Tech Industries
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