Applicable Base Polymer Properties
Metallocene catalysts have been developed to produce polyolefins with precisely tailored properties. The attributes of metallocene catalyzed polyolefin (mPO) in hot melt adhesives are summarized below.
- Increased mileage due to low density
- Reduced gel and char formation in tanks, hoses, and nozzles for low maintenance and odor
- Reduced stringing and spider webbing
- Improved thermal stability and viscosity
- Wide service temperature range
- Good color / clarity
- Clean machining
- High adhesion to hard-to-bond substrates
- Good compatibility with conventional plasticizing and tackifying agents
The major restraints of metallocene catalyzed polyolefin HMAs are
- The raw material price
- Formulations are somewhat more difficult to process than conventional hot melts.