Table of Contents
- Polyamide (PA) Hot Melt Adhesives
- Polyester (PES) Adhesives
- Polyamide vs. Polyester Adhesives
- How to Decide
- FAQs
Choosing an adhesive will depend on numerous factors, and there are different chemistries of adhesives available. Polyamide (PA) and polyester (PES) adhesives are two different types of hot melts that are widely used in manufacturing and textiles, but they have important differences.
Our team reviews polyamide versus polyester adhesives including their pros, limitations, and ideal use cases so you can decide which option best fits your needs.
Polyamide (PA) Hot Melt Adhesives Explained
Polyamide hot melt adhesives are a type of hot melt made from polyamide resins that are known for their durability in demanding environments. They have excellent heat resistance compared to other hot melts, so they are suitable for high-temperature service conditions. They also tend to have a higher resistance to chemicals, oils, and some solvents. PA adhesives are commonly used in automotive assembly, electronics, low-pressure molding, woodworking, and filtration.
While it varies by product, polyamide thermoplastic adhesives often have a shorter shelf life than polyester adhesives. They also can be more challenging to run in bulk systems because of their higher application temperatures, moisture sensitivity, and shorter pot life.
Polyester (PES) Adhesives Explained
Polyester adhesives are a family of hot melt adhesives that offer a good balance of durability and moderate flexibility. They form firm, dimensionally stable bonds that are more rigid once set. While not to the same degree as polyamide-based hot melt adhesives, polyester adhesives do have good heat resistance and chemical resistance. They also have fast set speeds for high-speed production.
Compared to polyamide hot melt adhesives, polyester glues are cleaner processing and easier to run in bulk hot melt systems. They also tend to be a more cost-effective adhesive solution. Polyester hot glues can be used on plastics, foams, fabrics, wood, and coated substrates.
Polyamide vs. Polyester Adhesives at a Glance
While both polyamide and polyester adhesives are types of hot melt adhesives, they have different strengths, limitations, and ideal use cases. The table below outlines some of their key properties side by side to highlight the similarities and differences between polyamide and polyester hot melt adhesives and help you determine which hot melt is better suited for your needs.
| Property | Polyamide (PA) Hot Melt Adhesives | Polyester (PES) Adhesives |
|---|---|---|
| Adhesive Type | Hot melt adhesive | Hot melt adhesive |
| Heat Resistance | Very high | Moderate to high |
| Chemical and Oil Resistance | Excellent | Moderate |
| Flexibility | High | Moderate |
| Set Speed | Moderate | Fast |
| Application Temperature | Higher | Lower |
| Bulk Equipment Compatibility | More challenging | Easier and clean running |
| Cold Temperature Performance | Maintains flexibility better | Can become brittle |
| Cost | Higher | Lower |
Both adhesives are types of thermoplastic hot melts with overlapping properties, but there are some notable differences between polyester and polyamide adhesives. Polyamide hot melt adhesives tend to be better suited for demanding environments compared to polyester adhesives where higher heat resistance, higher chemical resistance, and greater flexibility are required.
On the other hand, polyester hot melt adhesives are optimized for efficiency and ease of use in high-speed manufacturing. They offer moderate heat resistance and chemical resistance but have a faster set speed than polyamide hot melts. Polyester adhesives also have a lower application temperature that makes them better for use in bulk systems.
In addition, polyamide hot melt adhesives have better cold temperature performance. They are better able to maintain their flexibility while polyester-based hot melt adhesives can become brittle in colder environments.
In general, polyester hot melts tend to be more cost effective than polyamide hot glues, but every product is different. You should focus on the specific performance capabilities of the adhesive in question and ensure they align with your needs.
How to Decide Between PA Hot Melts and PES Adhesives
Polyamide adhesive glues and polyester adhesive glues are both types of thermoplastic hot melts that share several characteristics, but they have important differences. Before choosing which chemistry is right for your needs, it helps to step back and evaluate what your product truly needs to do.
To choose between polyamide hot melt adhesives and polyester hot melt adhesives, you should:
- Think about substrate compatibility.
- Evaluate what environmental conditions the bond will be exposed to, including temperature conditions and contact with chemicals, oils, or moisture.
- Determine the movement requirements for the bond.
- Think about your process requirements and limitations, including the surface preparation, application temperature, and handling time.
When to choose polyamide hot melts over polyester adhesives:
- Your application is exposed to higher heat.
- Your application involves regular chemical, oil, or moisture exposure.
- You require greater flexibility in the bond.
- The durability of the bond is more important than processing speed or cost.
When to choose polyester hot melts over polyamide hot melt adhesives:
- The application environment is more controlled with less exposure to high heat, chemicals, oil, and moisture.
- Flexibility requirements are moderate.
- Production speed and fast handling times are high priorities.
- You are working with bulk equipment and clean processing is important.
- Cost efficiency is a priority.
Once you have a particular adhesive in mind, always check the technical datasheet to ensure the product specifications match your bond requirements. It is also recommended that you test the adhesive to validate its performance on your substrates and assemblies. Testing can help you avoid costly issues later in production as well as base your selection on performance rather than assumptions about chemistry alone.
Get More Guidance
If you aren’t sure how to narrow down your choices to a particular product or if neither polyamide nor polyester hot melt adhesives seem to really fit your needs, we want to help. We carry a wide selection of hot melt adhesive products, including specific chemistries and brands. We also have the extensive knowledge to direct you to the right product for your particular needs. Contact us to get started on your personalized product recommendation.
