Postcuring polyurethane hot melts are solvent-free, one-part, moisture-setting adhesives with a solids content of 100%. They rapidly build up strength resulting in a high initial tack (as do conventional hot melts), and this is followed by a postcuring that results in a high structural strength. These adhesives offer good flexibility and resistance to impacts as well as a good resistance to plasticizers. They have different open times (1-10 min) that provide for rapid processing and rework and/or long adhesive beads. Different viscosities make it possible to create very thin or gap-filling bond-lines.
Polyurethane hot melts are employed to bond wood or plastic materials with themselves or with other materials such as rubber, leather, textiles, aluminum, glass or painted metals, resulting in strong and loadable bonds. Excess adhesive can be removed easily and cleanly during the wax phase (within about 20 min after application). Polyurethane hot melts are applied by means of special cartridge guns (Figure 8.49), automatic extrusion or spray applicators.