Have you ever wondered how glue is made? At LD Davis, we produce a wide range of adhesives tailored to meet the needs of various industries. Each type has a unique manufacturing process, from eco-friendly, natural glues to cutting-edge synthetic adhesives. Let’s take an in-depth look at how some of our most popular adhesives are created.
Gelatin Glue: A Natural Marvel
Gelatin glue, often referred to as jelly glue, is a protein-based adhesive derived from collagen. At LD Davis, we utilize recycled pharmaceutical and nutritional gelatin—a sustainable choice that reflects our commitment to eco-friendly practices.
How It’s Made:
- Sourcing and Screening: Raw materials, including gelatin from recycled capsules, are carefully screened for quality.
- Mixing: Ingredients such as water, Epsom salts, corn sugar, and glycerin are combined with the gelatin in large mixing kettles. The mixture is heated and stirred to achieve the desired consistency.
- Gelation: The heated glue is poured into trays and left to dry or gel overnight, creating the iconic "glue cakes."
- Grading: The glue is graded based on its bloom strength, which measures its bonding potential.
- Quality Control: Each batch undergoes rigorous color, viscosity, and odor testing as part of our 12-point quality control system.
Gelatin glue is prized for its excellent bonding strength and versatility, making it ideal for bookbinding, rigid box manufacturing, and more.
Liquid Glues: VERSATILE and User-Friendly
Liquid glues, including resin, dextrin, and starch glues, are water-based adhesives that offer eco-friendly and easy-to-use solutions for various applications.
Resin Glue
Resin glue is known for its durability and adaptability to fluctuating climates. It’s commonly used in industrial applications like folding cartons and laminating.
How It’s Made:
- Base Creation: The glue is made from vinyl acetate, ethylene vinyl acetate, or acrylic resin emulsion polymers.
- Blending: These components are emulsified with water to create a uniform, strong adhesive.
- Formulation: Adjustments are made to tailor elasticity, tack, and strength to specific application needs.
Resin glues provide a strong, rigid bond, making them a favorite among manufacturers and artisans alike.
Dextrin Glue
Dextrin glue, often called brown glue, excels in paper applications like bottle labeling and envelope manufacturing.
How It’s Made:
- Hydrolysis: Starch is hydrolyzed to produce dextrin, a carbohydrate with adhesive properties.
- Cooking: Dextrin is heated with water to around 200°F, forming a glue solution.
- Customization: The mixture is adjusted for tack, color, and viscosity to meet specific needs.
Dextrin glue’s clean machining and strong paper adhesion make it indispensable for labeling and packaging.
Starch Glue
Starch glue is an economical adhesive perfect for high-volume packaging applications.
How It’s Made:
- Preparation: Starch from renewable sources like tubers and seeds is cooked in water at 180–190°F.
- Formulation: The resulting paste is adjusted for viscosity and adhesion properties.
- Application: Starch glue can be applied hot or at ambient conditions, depending on the project.
With its low cost and excellent adhesion, starch glue is a go-to choice for corrugated boxes and paper bags.
Hot Melt Glues: Fast and Reliable
Hot melt adhesives are solid polymers that liquefy when heated and provide rapid bonding strength. LD Davis offers several types, including PUR, fugitive, and metallocene glues.
PUR Glues
Polyurethane reactive (PUR) hot melts are known for their incredible strength and flexibility.
How It’s Made:
- Polymerization: The base polymers are reacted to form a thermoplastic adhesive.
- Moisture Activation: When applied, PUR glue absorbs moisture from the air to cure and form a strong bond.
PUR glues are ideal for bookbinding, woodworking, and applications requiring high flexibility.
Fugitive Glue
Fugitive glue, also called “booger glue,” is a low-tack adhesive designed for one-time use.
How It’s Made:
- Base Formulation: Polymers are blended to achieve the proper tackiness and peel strength.
- Customization: The adhesive is tailored for specific applications like direct mailers and credit card attachments.
Fugitive glue’s versatility makes it a favorite for marketing and packaging applications.
Metallocene Glue
Metallocene hot melts are engineered to reduce issues like char, odor, and nozzle clogs.
How It’s Made:
- Polymer Selection: Metallocene catalysts are used to create uniform polymer chains.
- Formulation: Additives are mixed to optimize performance for packaging and converting operations.
These adhesives provide a clean, efficient solution for demanding industrial needs.
The Science of Glue Making
LD Davis crafts each adhesive with precision and care to meet our customers' diverse needs. Whether you’re looking for a natural, sustainable option like gelatin glue or a cutting-edge synthetic like PUR hot melt, our manufacturing processes ensure consistent quality and performance.
