Although the general public may not realize it, they come into contact everyday with one of the most demanding applications for adhesives - books. Adhesives are used in the manufacture of books principally for the binding, but they are also used in the manufacture of the covers of hardbound books. Bookbinding demands sophisticated adhesive solutions for a very common product.
Certain bookbinding applications require a specific combination of adhesive strength, tack, drying speed, and other properties. The number of possible substrates, coatings, and end-uses are seemingly endless considering that the final products include magazines, catalogues, brochures, and the like. Bookbinding adhesives also must be capable of being applied in low cost, high-speed processes as well as being able to survive long-term storage conditions and repetitive stress.
There are hundreds of bookbinding formulations available on the market today due to the significant demands placed on the adhesives.Conventional formulations as well as innovative developments will be discussed.