Corrugated Cardboard Glues

Corrugated cardboard is the go-to material for many applications. It can be used for everything from sealing boxes for consumer products to building crafts.

Whether you are major enterprise shipping goods around the world or working on a simple school project, you want to know that the glue you use to seal or glue corrugated cardboard together will work as intended.

What is Corrugated Cardboard?

While corrugated cardboard and cardboard are often used interchangeably, the two are different. Technically, cardboard is a single-layer, thick paper stock. That being said, the term "cardboard" may also be used to refer to any type of paperboard material.

Corrugated cardboard otherwise known as corrugated fiberboard or sometimes just corrugate, is specifically made up of three different layers of container board. There are two sheets on the outside that are flat lines and a sheet in the middle that is fluted or rippled. These three layers are glued together, usually with a starchy adhesive.

The middle layer can have different flute types, but all the designs create air pockets that can act as a cushion. The end result is a durable but lightweight material that is often used in shipping boxes, product packaging, retail displays, or food delivery.

Sealing or Gluing Corrugated Cardboard

As a business, you need an adhesive for corrugated cardboard that will stand up to its intended use. The wrong adhesive or applying the adhesive incorrectly could lead to faulty or wasted products, aesthetic issues, customer complaints, or box pop-opens.

Unlike a lot of metals and plastics, sealing or gluing corrugated cardboard does not involve a lot of surface preparation like abrasion methods or chemical baths. When you use the right corrugated cardboard glue, a good bond can often be formed just by applying a bit of pressure for the right amount of time.

While corrugated cardboard is generally pretty easy to bond with the right adhesive, issues can arise during shipping and handling. The corrugated cardboard adhesive needs to be able to handle the weight of the load. It also needs to be able to withstand the environmental conditions it will be exposed to throughout its lifespan. For some applications, this may include freezing cold or sweltering hot temperatures as well as high humidity or rain. All of these factors can drastically impact how an adhesive performs.

While these are tried and tested hot melt adhesives for corrugated cardboard, every application is unique. To help you determine which adhesive is best for your specific needs, we offer testing services. You can send in your substrate, and we will test different adhesives for you. Learn more about our adhesive lab testing.

Types of Glue for Corrugated Cardboard

Not only are there a number of different environmental conditions to be aware of when choosing an adhesive to seal or bond with this material, but also there are several types of adhesives for corrugated cardboard applications. Some of the more common types of corrugated cardboard glues are described below.

Hot Melts

Growing in popularity, hot melt adhesives include a diverse collection of products that are quick-bonding and fast-setting. They tend to be stronger than water-based products and great for faster production lines, but they do require special hot melt equipment for bulk applications.

PVA

A type of water-based adhesive, polyvinyl acetate glue is also known as white glue. It is commonly used because it is water soluble, flexible, and easy to apply. It also dries clear for a better final appearance. It is not as strong as other options.

Contact Cement

Contact cement is a neoprene rubber adhesive. With a longer open time than some other adhesives, it is often a good choice for applications where bonding larger surface areas is involved.

Epoxy

Epoxy adhesives are valued for their great tensile strength and good chemical resistance. While not often used in packaging, they can be a good choice for heavy-duty applications where other adhesives cannot hold up. They do tend to have longer cure times that may slow down production.

Cyanoacrylates

Cyanoacrylates or super glues are notable because they are very quick bonding and still strong. They are generally easy to use and can be useful for more precise bonding applications.

Starch-Based Adhesives

Starch-based adhesives are often used for the construction of the actual corrugated cardboard. They can sometimes be a more environmentally-friendly glue solution than some other options, but they can fail in wet or humid environments.

More Tips for Gluing Corrugated Cardboard

Bonding corrugated cardboard is easy enough, but you want to make sure you not only choose the right corrugated cardboard glue but also apply it correctly. Different adhesives have different application requirements. For best results, always follow the adhesive manufacturer's recommendations for timing, temperature, safety, and storage.

If you are using a bulk hot melt dispensing system, make sure the settings are compatible with the adhesive you are using. A small change in pressure or temperature could impact the effectiveness of the adhesive. You also want to make sure you are applying the right amount of adhesive, applying it evenly, and using the correct fixture time.

Need More Help?

The best adhesive for corrugated cardboard depends on your specific application. You will want to think about your production process, end use, product design, and budget. You may also have to take into consideration extreme temperatures or specific regulations.

Because each of these factors can impact which corrugated cardboard adhesive you should use, our team is able to provide customized product recommendations. Just contact us today to get started. We also have an adhesive equipment maintenance program to help your machines continue to run smoothly.