Adhesive bonding has supplemented or replaced many other joining processes in industry: in vehicle and plant engineering, in packaging, the furniture and timber industries, electronics and the construction sector. Adhesives bond different materials, distribute forces evenly and provide a seal at the same time. For production, however, this also means that wherever bonding takes place, adhesive residues build up on application equipment, rollers, nozzles, moulds and tools.
How easily these residues can be removed depends mainly on, how the adhesive cures.
Physically or chemically setting
- Physically curing adhesives They set as water or solvents evaporate or as the molten material cools. These include emulsion adhesives, solvent-based adhesives and hot-melt adhesives. They can often be redissolved or softened by heat.
- Chemically curing adhesives (Reactive adhesives) set because molecules react with one another and cross-link. These include epoxies, polyurethanes, acrylates, cyanoacrylates, silicones and PUR hot-melts. Once they have cured, they are virtually impossible to dissolve.
- Press-on adhesives They do not set at all. They remain permanently sticky, for example on labels and adhesive tapes.
An overview of the main types of adhesives
| Type of adhesive | This is how it sets | Typical applications | Important for cleaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Epoxy adhesives | chemical, usually two-component: the resin and hardener react | Metal, composite materials, engineering, electronics | Once set, it is highly durable; it can only be easily removed whilst still fresh |
| Polyurethane adhesives (PU) | 1K with humidity or 2K | Vehicle manufacturing, timber, windows, sandwich panels, footwear | can be removed whilst still fresh; once set, it only swells slightly |
| PUR hot-melt | First it sets, then it cures with moisture | Furniture, profile cladding, bookbinding, textiles | Do not allow to cure in contract-manufactured equipment |
| Acrylate adhesives | chemical, often two-component or with an activator | Metal, plastics, vehicle and plant engineering | Set quickly; remove any residue promptly |
| Cyanoacrylate (superglue) | with moisture in seconds | Small parts, electronics, medical technology | thin films, often applied mechanically and with a cleaning agent |
| Silicones | absorb moisture and remain elastic | Sealing, glass, electronics, temperature ranges | adhere strongly; the silicone film interferes with subsequent coating |
| Hot-melt adhesives | physically, by cooling | Packaging, labels, lamination, wood | become soft again when heated |
| Emulsion adhesives and glues | physically, through the evaporation of water | Wood, paper, cardboard, labels, wallpaper | water-soluble when fresh, tough when dry |
| Solvent-based adhesives | physically, through the evaporation of the solvent | Adhesive for rubber, leather and plastic | often subject to labelling requirements; remove residues with a cleaning agent |
| Press-on adhesives | remain sticky permanently | Labels, adhesive tapes, protective films | Residues after extraction |
What this means for cleaning
- Fresh is easier: Reactive adhesives can only be removed effectively before they cure. You should therefore clean application equipment, nozzles and mixers at the end of a shift or during breaks.
- Heat only helps with thermoplastics: Hot-melt adhesive softens again when heated, whereas cured reactive adhesives do not.
- Silicone is a special case: Even invisible silicone films can interfere with subsequent painting or bonding.
- The manufacturer and product name are as follows: Formulations can vary considerably even within a single type of adhesive. The adhesive’s technical data sheet makes it much easier to find the right cleaner.
In our guide, we explain step by step how to remove adhesive residue Removing adhesive residue: methods and tips for every type of adhesive. Adhesive on rollers? There’s a post about that Cleaning rollers in the industry.
The best way to find out which cleaner will remove your adhesive is to discuss it with us. Please let us know the manufacturer and product name of the adhesive, as well as the surface type. Our technical advisers will recommend a cleaner and put together a free sample for you.