SOFTGLUE ATP is an anionic polyurethane in aqueous dispersion suitable to formulate thermally activatable adhesives to be used, for example, in the furniture, car, footwear and construction sectors.
Its polymeric structure makes it particularly suitable for applications on PVC substrates containing plasticizers.
SOFTGLUE ATP has exceptional adhesive properties on most synthetic and natural materials. Thermal stability and resistance to plasticizers, greases and oils can be increased by adding 2 – 5% by weight of a water emulsifiable polyisocyanate. The crosslinker must be added just before the application of the adhesive and mixed thoroughly; the formulation must be used quickly, before the crosslinking starts its action. For each formulation it is therefore advisable to carry out preliminary tests to evaluate the stability of the formulation over time (shelf-life).
It is possible to modify the specific properties and characteristics of the adhesive film by adding dispersions of resins, emulsifiers and thickeners to the product.
Before application, especially by spraying, the product must be filtered to remove any polymer particles that may have formed due to initial drying.
For bonding operations by thermal reactivation it is recommended to operate at temperatures of at least 60 – 70°C to allow the complete activation of the adhesive layer; the actual temperature for a specific application will depend on the contact time, the applied pressure and the substrates to be bonded. Preliminary tests are therefore necessary to set the processing parameters.