August 11, 2025
When using hot melt, there are more forms than you may realize. Pellets are common, but in reality, a hot melt glue powder may be a better choice for your application.
What is Hot Melt Glue Powder?
Hot melt glue powder is a form of thermoplastic adhesive that is cryogenically ground into a fine powder like sand. It can be used for bonding, coating, or binding. When heated, it will melt, but as it cools, it will resolidify and form strong bonds. Hot melt powders are most commonly used with fabrics and textiles, but they can have other applications.
The base chemistries for hot melt powders can include EVA, polyamide, polyurethane, polyester, copolyester, copolyamide, polyolefin, and other resins. Different chemistries offer different benefits, so the exact formulation will vary based on the specific product's performance goals.
Benefits of Hot Melt Adhesive Powders
While hot melt pellets are popular, there are several benefits to using hot melt glue powder.
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Versatility- Hot melt glue powders are not only compatible with several substrates, but also they can easily be adjusted to different widths or gram weights. In addition, they come in different particle sizes and are usable with different technologies.
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Durability- Not only do hot melt powders provide good bond strength, but also they create durable and lasting bonds even under stress. When applied correctly, powders can make the final product resistant to peeling, cracking, or fading.
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Efficiency- With a very short cure time and durable bonding capabilities, these adhesives may increase production speed and lead to better overall efficiency.
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High Resistance to Various Agents- Hot melt powders tend to be resistant to various chemicals, high temperatures, and water. They are also laundry resistant adhesives that can withstand steaming, dry cleaning, and the wash cycle.
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More Environmentally Friendly- Especially compared to solvent adhesives, hot melt powders can be a more environmentally friendly option. They are solvent-free, and many are OEKO-TEX certified. They may also reduce energy usage compared to some other forms.
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Soft-Hand Feel- These adhesives are designed to work on fabrics without impacting their flexibility or softness.
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Cost-Effective- Hot melt powders can be a cost-effective alternative to other forms of hot melt. They offer minimal material waste compared to liquid adhesives, as powder can be efficiently reclaimed in production. Their equipment may also require less maintenance and upkeep than hot melt equipment.
How Hot Melt Glue Powders Work
To begin, hot melt powder comes from cryogenic hot melt, which is ground into a fine powder. This powder has the same basic adhesive properties as traditional hot melt pellets or glue sticks but in a slightly different form. It can be used for bonding, coating, or binding applications.
Because of its unique form, the hot melt adhesive powder is also applied differently. While glue sticks are applied with glue guns and pellets with hot melt tanks, hot melt powders are applied by hand or with a powder scattering unit.
In industrial settings, a powder scattering machine will disperse the hot melt adhesive powder onto one of the substrates. The substrate is usually fed into a lamination machine next where it will be heated and compressed with the second substrate. This process can be done using a few different technologies, such as an infrared oven and nip rolls, a flatbed calendar, or a belt calendar.
For smaller applications such as DTF (Direct-to-Film) printing, the powder can be dispersed by hand or with some kind of shaker. Next, the powder is heated with an oven or a heat press machine. The combination of heat and compression will transfer the first substrate, often a design or logo, onto the second substrate, often a piece of clothing like a t-shirt.
Applications
The applications for hot melt glue powders can be numerous, but we elaborate on a few more common uses below.
Textiles & Fabrics
One of the most common uses for hot melt glue powders is in the textile industry. They can be used for apparel assembly, heat transfer printing, flocking, and interlinings in clothing. Because they are made for use with textile and fabric applications, they need to be able to withstand the environment that the final product will be exposed to. Consequently, many hot melt adhesive powders are water resistant, laundry resistant, and steam resistant.
Automotive Industry
More specifically, hot melt glue powders are commonly used in automotive textiles such as with seat covers, fabric linings, or interior trims. They are strong and durable enough to last when exposed to the extreme temperatures of car interiors as well as everyday wear and tear.
Flooring
Hot melt glue powders are commonly found in the flooring industry. They can be used to design one-material carpets that are usually easier to recycle and better for the environment than those made with latex adhesives or bitumen. Another application in flooring can be laminating the decorative top of a tile to its vinyl back.
Filtration
With great water resistance, chemical resistance, and the ability to withstand high temperatures, some hot melt powders are great for filtration applications. They can be used to laminate multiple layers together to improve the efficiency of the filter. They also have fast set times for higher speed production.
How to Choose a Hot Melt Glue Powder
If you are thinking about a hot melt powder, there are a lot of questions you should ask yourself first. Some factors to consider when shopping for a hot melt glue powder include:
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Substrate materials
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Process and equipment compatibility
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Bonding requirements
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Application
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Environmental conditions and resistance needed
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Any special properties or performance needs
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Required certifications (e.g., OEKO-TEX)
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Cost
Hot Melt Powder Product Examples
There are a lot of different products on the market with various properties. To help you narrow down your options, our adhesive experts are highlighting a few hot melt adhesive powders that you can buy a sample of to try with your application.
A good general-purpose hot melt adhesive powder for fabric applications, this product is laundry, dry cleaning, and steam resistant with a washing resistance up to 140°F. It is compatible with paste dot, powder dot, and scatter coating processes, and it is also available for purchase in pellets if needed.
If speed is at the top of your list of wants, this hot melt glue powder may be right for you. It is optimized for fast-paced production lines with a high flow rate of up to 270 grams per 10 minutes and forms fast bonds. It also has a low fusing temperature for more energy-efficient production.
For precision flow fabric and apparel applications, try the 5220. It has a controlled melt behavior for clean placements and reduced bleed-through. It also has a dwell time of 10 to 15 seconds and can withstand laundering temperatures up to about 140°F.
See for Yourself
Not sure which of these is the best fit or think you may need something else? We can help point you in the right direction. With over fifty years of experience in the adhesives industry, our team can offer you guidance on what adhesive is best for your needs. Get a personalized product recommendation today. You can explore our full selection of hot melt powder glues on your own to find one to try on your application.
