Edgebanding is the next processing step right after the flat lamination of panels. This is a crucial application that, if not done with the necessary precision, can ruin the entire workpiece. TAKA – an Italian company with over 20 years of experience in the world of HMPUR adhesives for exterior, interior and many other applications – tells us more ...
The aesthetical defect of an improperly applied edge can be visible right after the process or might become obvious at a later stage. But that’s not all, a perfect edegebanding can guarantee the performance and longevity of the panel.
Let’s think about some furniture to be installed in the kitchen and the bathroom, an especially demanding environment due to the humidity and elevated temperature. If the edge is not glued well, the risk of water or vapour infiltration time is just around the corner. The panel may swell over time, and the edge band will peel off.
How can we prevent these risks? The use of reactive hot melt polyurethane adhesives (HMPUR) guarantees a particularly effective bonding because it is not only a physical bonding process (as for EVA or PO glues) but also an irreversible chemical one.
This way, the final product features some outstanding characteristics:
- Heat resistance above 150°C
- Water resistance
- Vapor resistance
- Solvent resistance
The German kitchen association, AMK, has created a test for the evaluation of the steam resistance of kitchen doors. In fact, “only polyurethane-based hot-melt adhesives pass this test”.
Types of adhesives commonly used for edgebanding
Three main types of hot-melt adhesives are used the most in the furniture market and especially in the edgebanding process.
Comparing the performance of traditional non-reactive hot melts (EVA and PO-based) and reactive polyurethane adhesives, there are significant differences:
HMPUR adhesives are applied at lower temperatures (120-150°C) against the 180-210°C required to apply EVA-based adhesives or 190-210°C for PO-based adhesives.
Reduced glue weight. General recommendations are about 90-130 g/m2 for HMPUR adhesives against 150-300g/m2 for EVA and PO-based glues.
The lower glue consumption not only means savings for the purchase of glue, but it also allows for the creation of a very thin and nearly invisible glue line, best when the glue is applied using an application roller with low knurling.
