Adhesives for Paperboard
What is Paperboard?
Paperboard is a paper-based material that is lightweight but thicker and more rigid than standard paper. It is typically made of recycled fibers or wood pulp. There are several different types or grades of paperboard that can be coated or uncoated for different uses. The material also has a printable surface, so you can add specialty inks or even foil for a lot of design freedom on primary packaging. Paperboard is also foldable and cuttable.
Overall, paperboard is a versatile material used in various packaging applications or printing materials. You can commonly find paperboard packaging used with:
-
Food products
-
Personal care products
-
Cosmetics
-
Electronics
-
Home goods
Gluing Paperboard
Compared to some materials like metals or plastics, gluing paperboard does not involve an extensive amount of surface preparation. That being said, issues can still arise when you glue paperboard.
You can use different adhesives for paperboard, but the right adhesive will depend on the specific type of paperboard and various other factors. Coated or laminated paperboard, for instance, is much harder to bond as the adhesive can struggle to wet and penetrate the surface. It is often suggested to leave the section of the paperboard that will be glued uncoated for this reason.
Paperboard adhesives may also be impacted by other elements during application, shipping, and handling. Excessive moisture, extreme temperatures, and heavy loads can all lead to bond failure if the wrong adhesive is applied, it is applied incorrectly, or the wrong amount of adhesive is used.
For optimal results, always follow the manufacturer's suggestions regarding factors like fixture time, application temperature, working temperature, pressure, and storage. Even a small change could negatively impact the adhesive's effectiveness.
Paperboard Adhesives to Investigate
With over 50 years of experience in the adhesives industry, our team has seen numerous adhesive glues for paperboard in use. We are sharing a few of our favorite adhesives for paperboard to consider testing for your own application.
-
General Purpose Water-Based Adhesive: ASURE PKG9000UVB
If you are okay with a longer set time, this water-based adhesive is a great choice. It is commonly used for carton and glue lap applications, but it can be used for a variety of general-purpose paperboard applications. It also has a blue UV dye for easy inspection.
-
Water-Based Adhesive for Difficult Coatings: ASURE PKG9000KUVG
For clay-coated paperboard, films, or varnish coatings, try this product. It can provide adhesion to over 40 dyne coatings and comes in a variety of viscosities for use in numerous applications.
-
General Purpose Hot Melt: ASURE CC9210 Metallocene Hot Melt Glue
For a faster set time, you will want to look into a hot melt for paperboard. This product is great for a wide range of applications involving paperboard and has great thermal stability to prevent adhesive charring.
-
Hot Melt for Difficult Coatings: ASURE CC9436 EVA Hot Melt
For a paperboard hot melt adhesive for more difficult coatings, try this EVA. It has an aggressive tack and can perform in lower temperatures as well.
-
Freezer Grade Hot Melt: ASURE CC1118-1 Hot Melt Freezer Adhesive
This adhesive is designed for cold storage environments. It can be applied by roll coating or extrusion method. It is also compatible with uncoated or lightly coated paperboard.
-
ASURE CC6070 Hot Melt Glue: High Heat Resistance Hot Melt
This hot melt performs well at elevated temperatures for applications with a higher temperature requirement. It also has great thermal stability and can be used for numerous applications.
While these products have successfully bonded paperboard in various applications in the past, always check the technical data sheet (TDS) to ensure that the adhesive is compatible with your application and applied as recommended. Testing a new adhesive before rolling it out to your entire product line is also recommended.
Types of Glue for Paperboard
Not every type of adhesive is the best choice for paperboard, and every application is unique. In general, the following adhesives are commonly used with paperboard:
-
Hot Melt Adhesives: With a fast tack, these adhesives are ideal for production lines and folding cartons.
-
Water-Based Adhesives (PVA/White Glue): Suitable for porous, uncoated paperboard, water-based adhesives can cause warping if overapplied.
-
Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives (PSAs): These adhesives are great for labels and tapes with instant bonding after minimal pressure is applied.
-
Solvent-Based Adhesives: While sometimes good for laminated or coated surfaces, these adhesives require ventilation and safety precautions.
Always consult the technical data sheet for a specific product or talk with a technical expert for more details.
Want More Guidance?
End use, production environment, product design, and budget can all drastically impact which product is the best adhesive for your paperboard application. If you need help determining which product is right for you, we want to help. Our team of adhesive experts can provide you with a product recommendation when you contact us. We also offer substrate lab testing to see how the adhesive will perform for your application.
Highlighted Products
Frequently Asked Questions
While the two are similar, there are some distinct differences between paperboard and cardboard. People define cardboard in many ways. Technically, cardboard is a thick and stiff paper stock made of a single layer, but when most people think of cardboard, they are actually thinking of corrugated cardboard. Corrugated cardboard is made of three layers of carboard with a fluted middle layer and is used in tertiary or secondary packaging like in traditional cardboard boxes. Cardboard is also a generic, catch-all term used to refer to any type of paper-based product.
In contrast, paperboard is a paper-based material that is thicker and heavier than standard paper but not as thick as cardboard. It is commonly used in primary packaging as well as printing materials.
Ask a Question
Have questions? Our team of adhesive experts can help. Submit your questions and we'll get you answers right away. We're here to help.