Thermo Set or Thermo Plastic Dry Film Adhesive remains a film but softens and penetrates into adjoining surfaces in the bonding process. Upon cooling, it hardens to give extremely strong bonds.

Bonding strengths are generally affected by 5 components of laminating settings:

Temperature
Pressure
Time
Surfaces
Vapor / Off gassing

These 5 components are interrelated  and can be slightly varied to meet certain press or product requirements. Vary from recommendations only one variable at a time.

GLUE LINE TEMP:

Testing tape for determining exact glue line temperature:
(Paper Therm. Co. 603-547-2034 - Thermo Label Tape 210° - 280° F)

Press Platen or membrane temperature is normally 20° - 30° higher than what is needed at the glue line as listed under "minimum glue line temperature to bond".

PRESSURE:

1 psi and up.

TIME:

30 Seconds or less. (After glue line temperature is reached. Very low psi may need more time and / or temperature to penetrate, depending on adhesive formula.)

HOT STACKING:

Is recommended until cool - can be machined at approximately 140° F

VENEER MOISTURE CONTENT:

Moisture content 0 - 8% is best. Moisture is not needed to assist glue cure. Since Adhesive Film is an excellent moisture barrier, it does not allow moisture to easily escape. Too high a moisture content will sometimes cause face veneer to split. If this happens the higher moisture content veneers will have to be dried to 4 to 6% (or lower) before gluing. If a substance with high volatiles or off gassing is pressed the vapor can cause a poor bond. The vapors must be removed before pressing by preheating or pre-pressing or incorporating a press breath cycle.

PRESS BREATH TIME (instant pressure release only):

Only needed with Adhesive Film if vapors from laminates need to be exhausted, or many ply lay-ups are being done at one time. Dwell time (heat turned off) best with high frequency curved and flat parts - additional stability is often gained by a short cool down (heat off) dwell time.

CONDITIONING:

Not necessary, but if extremely unstable (tendency to twist/warp) components are bonded, it helps to lower panel temperature while still held in position by removing pressure, but keeping Plattens together for 1-2 minutes. Vapors escape and panel cools somewhat and stabilize enough to be hot stacked and / or further processed.

CUTTING:

Best when panels or fabric are below 140° F

LASER CUTTING:

Works Well

2 PLY FACES (LAMINATES) MADE WITH ADHESIVE FILM:

Most tests show they can be repressed or overlayed up to 300° F for up to five minutes without problems. Type 1 bonds can now be obtained.

FLEXING:

Veneer can be flexed / tenderized easily when backed with many Dry Film Adhesive alone (this also forms an excellent vapor barrier for subsequent contact gluing). This process requires silicon release paper or a Teflon reusable liner. Nip rolls and Plattens can be covered (Adhesive Film will stick to Mylar if under pressure). We offer many Dry Film Adhesives already on a release liner.

PRE APPLYING ADHESIVE FILM TO SURFACES FOR LATER PRESSING INTO PLYWOOD OR AS OVERLAYS:

This is done quickly at lower pressures and slightly lower temperatures. Can also be "tacked" on with heat seal equipment.