How to choose the application method for hot-melt adhesives in the apparel market

Apparel hot melts are high-molecular-weight, low-viscosity thermoplastic copolyamides and copolyesters. They are structural adhesives for long-term bonds. Heat liquefies them; copolyesters in particular set hard on cooling. No water or solvent to drive off.

Versus dispersions and solvent adhesives: no evaporation, lower energy and capital, shorter cycles. Versus reactive systems: no mix, no cure wait (final bond in seconds), and you can de-bond with heat. Versus EVA, PE, or dimer-acid polyamide hot melts: no wax, tackifier, or extender bulk; a real melt/freeze point so the bond takes load near the fusion point without creep; colorless, without multifunctional amines or unsaturated residues.

Bond properties that matter here: lap shear, cold resistance, toughness, solvent and chemical resistance, aging. Delivery: granule, or powder in more than one particle size. Granules go through high-capacity hot-melt applicators. Coarse powder is for random/scatter coat; fine powder for aqueous dispersion. Bonding: roller or conveyor (granule), heated press or oven (powder), heat-impulse / RF / ultrasonic weld on extruded or powder-coated webs, IR or continuous oven for surface coats, solution only for special cases.