Why Foam-in-Place Adhesives for Window/Door Sealing are a Great Decision

As window and door manufacturers look to improve efficiencies and reduce overall costs, foam-in-place adhesives are increasingly the answer. Find out why this is the case and the advantages they offer over traditional foam tape for certain applications.

What are Foam-in-Place Adhesives?

Foam-in-place adhesives are hot melt adhesives designed to expand upon application. In the industrial construction market, they provide a seal around windows and door frames as well as trim or moulding applications. Additionally, they can seal between garage door panels. This serves as weather protection and prevents light from shining through.

Why Choose Foam-in-Place Adhesives Over Foam Tape?

Foam tape is a common go-to bonding option for these applications. However, these adhesives offer significant advantages to your manufacturing processes.

Increased Ease of Use: Foam tapes can be difficult to work with, especially if they need to be removed or repaired. These adhesives, on the other hand, can be easily programmed to be applied only where needed.

Enhanced Operational Efficiencies: Additionally, they are designed for automated equipment, such as Nordson’s foam equipment line. By applying foam-in-place adhesives with automated processes, downtime is reduced, and efficiencies are increased. This, in turn, decreases overall cost in use.

Reduced Waste: Foam-in-place adhesives help reduce waste and improve sustainability, too. Unlike foam tapes, they do not require a release liner. This greatly reduces waste generation and increases worker safety.

Additionally, the amount of adhesives used can be tailored to a specific application, which further reduces product waste. This is because the automated equipment enables manufacturers to control the exact adhesive bead size and level of viscosity for a given application. Unlike foam tape, there is no need to purchase multiple SKUs.

Increased Flexibility: These adhesives also enable increased manufacturing flexibility when compared to foam tape. For example, adhesive density is able to be altered to allow the material to stretch farther if desired. The adhesive gasket also can be either permanent or replaceable, depending upon specifications. Adhesive colors can vary, too, to meet specific application aesthetic needs.

For more insight into the types of foam-in-place adhesives for industrial construction applications and to determine which one is right for you, contact a Bostik expert today.