Intercol is a manufacturer of Hot melt adhesive (HMA), it may also be known as hot glue from handcraft glue sticks. Most hot melt adhesives are thermoplastic, but there are also reactive polyurethane hot melts available. PUR or PU hot melt adhesives are commonly used for furniture and construction purposes.

Hot melt application equipment are industrial availalbe to melt the “plastic glue’, Which is being transported through  the hot melt system to the gun (head) and nozzle without a mechanical trigger mechanism but based on mostly, air pressure drive piston pumps. When the hot melt is applied on the first substrate, it is initially hot enough to burn and blister skin, so be carefull with hot melt adhesives! Hot melt is tacky when hot (the hot tack may differ with the several commercial available types), and solidifies in a few seconds. Some grades, for e.g. matress assembly, offer open times up to 1 or two minutes. Self adhesive hot melt adhesives do offer a permanent open time. Hot melt adhesives can also be applied by rollercoaters, dipping or spraying.

Hot melt adhesives may provide several advantages over other assembly techniques, such as screwing or welding. Unlike solvent-based adhesives, hot melt adhesives are environmently save, friendly for the environment and economic. Hot melt adhesives do not contain  Volatile organic compounds. Standard EVA and PO hot melts do not require curing, PU (PolyUrethane hot melts) do cure after (12h-36h) the first application.. Most Hot melt adhesives have a long shelf life. These glues usually can be disposed of without special precautions. Hotmelt adhesives may be sensible to temperature changes, typically temperatures above 60 degrees Celcius, or below 5 degrees Celcius may be critical. Temperature influences mostly can be reduces with using a reactive PU adhesive. PU hot melt adhesive have a further curing process after the initial, solid bond is established. (known asa  reactive urethane). Most EVA and PO HMAs are notresistant to chemical attacks and weathering, but will do perfect for packaging and in house used equipment, such as whitegoods.. Due it’s being 100%  solids, hot melt adhesives do not lose thickness,; solvent-based wand waterbeased adhesives may lose up to 50-70% of layer thickness after drying