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Adhesive systems are crucial to producing construction-grade engineered wood. Adhesive unifies the wood particles, fibers, or layers within the product—without adhesive, you wouldn’t have engineered wood.
Since adhesives are integral to engineered wood, how adhesives are treated during manufacturing matters. Common issues in facilities and processes can negatively affect how well adhesives perform, affecting the quality of engineered wood.
Following best practices during manufacturing is a simple way to ensure that engineered wood products consistently meet performance requirements. Consider implementing these six methods in your engineered wood production line so adhesives work as intended.
#1 Select Substrates Carefully
Starting with the right substrates is essential to getting high-quality engineered wood.
If you’re layering wood pieces to create your end product, start with substrates with tight tolerances—the surfaces should be even. High and low spots on a piece of wood can affect how well it contacts other pieces and glue applicators, preventing a tight bond. Uneven surface contact may affect the look and performance of the wood.
Other common substrate issues include:
- Porosity: Some substrates may be too porous for the adhesive to remain on the surface.
- Surface energy: Low surface energy can interfere with bonding. Prime low-energy surfaces before applying adhesives.
- Plasticizers : Deteriorating plasticizers can affect bonds. Adhesives formulated with high plasticizer resistance can counter this issue.
#2 Control Ambient Facility Conditions
The temperature and humidity of a facility can affect adhesive performance. Maintaining a consistent internal environment year-round, especially in climates with seasonal changes, can help ensure adhesives work as intended.
The ideal target is 70oF and 50% relative humidity for most adhesive applications. For some manufacturers, facility reconfiguration can be the solution to more stable temperatures; for example, moving production lines away from areas where temperatures fluctuate, such as shipping doors.
Many engineered wood manufacturers use reactive hot-melt adhesives for fast, lean manufacturing. Since reactive hot-melt adhesives require moisture to cure, keeping facilities relatively humid is critical. If the facility is too dry, the adhesive may cure too slowly.
#3 Condition Adhesives and Substrates
If controlling ambient conditions in the facility is difficult, conditioning adhesives and substrates before use is essential. We recommend conditioning adhesives, sealants, and substrates at 65-75°F (18-24°C) at least 24-72 hours before use. For manufacturers in cold climates, this could mean moving pieces of wood from a storage facility to the manufacturing facility several days before production.
Before manufacturing, clean substrates by removing oil, dirt, and dust, and take off any protective film, if present. Some substrates will require pretreatment, such as sanding or primer, before use.
#4 Monitor Manufacturing Processes
Production can sometimes cause adhesive failure. Consider:
- Working time : Most adhesives have a “working time,” a window of time where lamination is possible. Take care not to exceed the working time.
- Press time : Give adhesives enoug
h time to cure. Too short a press time may impact the bond. - Press pressure : Apply sufficient pressure to ensure the adhesive contacts and evenly coats the substrates.
- Equipment : Periodically calibrate roll height and applicator temperatures, and look for damage on application and nip rolls.
#5 Keep Facilities and Equipment Clean and Safe
Engineered wood manufacturing facilities can get messy quickly. Wood shavings, sawdust, and other environmental debris are common, and equipment in constant use can easily acquire layers of build-up. Contamination can interfere with adhesive bonding, affecting the performance of the final product.
“A lot of times, when we get customer inquiries or concerns about adhesives not sticking, we investigate and ask questions,” says Arianna Kooyman Ahl, Senior Product Manager for the Americas Glass, Wood, and Composites Business Unit at H.B. Fuller. “If the adhesive is applied next to a fan or the band saw, and sawdust is blowing on top of it, that might be the problem.”
Investing time and person-power in keeping facilities clean helps ensure quality products. When production issues arise, manufacturers should consider facility conditions before making drastic changes to adhesives, substrates, or equipment. The fix may be as simple as adding a cleaning routine to daily tasks or moving production equipment farther from sources of debris.
#6 Partner with Adhesive Experts
When it comes to adhesives for engineered wood, carefully choosing who you work with is a strategic advantage. Here are a few things to look for in an adhesive provider:
- Internal expertise : Manufacturers with formulation and quality control scientists on staff can develop formulas specific to your application or review formulas and recommend solutions if production goes sideways.
- Technical support : Adhesive providers with full-service technical support teams experienced in woodworking and composites provide the in-depth support needed for engineered wood products.
- Local presence : Choosing an adhesive provider with teams in your region helps ensure you get localized expertise and on-site support right when you need it.
- Regulatory support : Engineered wood must often comply with strict regulatory requirements for consumer use. Adhesive providers with internal regulatory compliance teams will review formulations to ensure they meet requirements, so compliance is not a costly afterthought.
- Testing facilities : Equipment downtime can add up. Choose providers who offer pilot facilities stocked with similar equipment to your production line for prototyping, troubleshooting, and testing adhesives. This allows you to innovate without shutting down an entire line.
- Single point of contact : Look for an adhesive provider with dedicated customer service agents in the same time zone and locale as your facility. Having a single point of contact readily available ensures you know who to talk to and get help when you need it.
Implementing Best Practices Maximizes ROI
The effort engineered wood manufacturers put into ensuring adhesives work as intended will pay off in terms of consistent, high-quality end products. Controlling your facility’s environment, prioritizing cleanliness, carefully selecting substrates, conditioning adhesives and substrates, assessing processes, and working with strategic adhesive providers all make a difference.
H.B. Fuller is committed to helping engineered wood manufacturers make the most of their adhesives. With over 130 years of experience, dedicated technical and customer service teams, and local support, we are here to help you succeed.
Browse our wood and composites products to see the full range of available adhesives and sealants, or speak with an agent to find the right product for your engineered wood line.
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