What cleaning agent is used to dissolve residual hot melt adhesive particles? Complete tutorial on cleaning glue pot and nozzle

Direct answer:Hot melt adhesive pelletsThe residual glue cannot be washed with water or ordinary alcohol. Commonly used are specialized hot melt adhesive cleaning agents (glue cleaning agents), high flash point white oil/mineral oil, and citrus terpene cleaning agents used in small quantities. The principle is to ‘soften with oil while hot, mechanically remove after cooling’, and do not expect any solvent to instantly melt the cured adhesive.

Industry Status: The cleaning process is the most easily overlooked and prone to accidents

When the printing and packaging workshop changes glue, shuts down, and undergoes maintenance, it must face residual glue. Many craftsmen try to save time by directly using knives and shovels or wiping with gasoline. The former scratches the coating of the glue pot, while the latter has a low flash point and is a clear safety hazard near hot surfaces above 160 ℃. If the cleaning is not done properly, it may result in black residue in the next batch of glue, or severe damage to the equipment.

Cleaning agent selection comparison

Complete steps for cleaning the glue pot

• The first step is to cool down to the softening rangeAdjust the temperature of the glue pot to 10-20 ℃ lower than the normal working temperature, so that the residual glue becomes soft but does not flow.
• Step 2: Empty the stored glueOpen the glue release valve to release all the flowable glue, collect it in a heat-resistant container, and do not pour it directly onto the ground.
• Step 3: Add cleaning mediumPour in specialized cleaning agent or high flash point white oil until it covers the remaining glue at the bottom of the pot, and keep it warm for 20-30 minutes.
• Step 4: Mechanical ClearanceUse a wooden or copper scraper to clean along the inner wall, with a focus on the corner of the pot bottom and the coking layer around the heating tube.
• Step 5: Second RinseAdd a small amount of new rubber particles and heat cycle once to remove residual cleaning agents. Do not use this pot of rubber for production.
• Step 6: Separate treatment of nozzlesRemove the nozzle and soak it in cleaning agent. Use copper wire to clear the hole. Do not use steel needles to enlarge the hole.

Safety and Efficiency Reminders

• Wear heat-resistant gloves and goggles throughout the entire process. If hot glue splashes onto the skin, it will stick to the belt glue. Rinse with cold water instead of tearing.
• Cleaning agents and rubber particles should not coexist in the rubber path for a long time, as residues can cause bubbles and abnormal viscosity in the new rubber.
• Severe coking indicates that the daily insulation temperature is too high or the antioxidant is insufficient, and cleaning is only a temporary solution.

Suggestions for Sunlife Hot Melt Adhesive

Guangzhou Sunlife Trading will provide a recommended cleaning plan and insulation limit for this model along with the delivery. Sunlife’s viewpoint on hot melt adhesive is that high cleaning frequency often indicates insufficient thermal stability of the adhesive itself. Instead of repeatedly washing the pot, it is better to switch to a formula with better carbonization resistance and extend the cleaning cycle from once a week to once a month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can it be cleaned with alcohol or water?

No. Hot melt adhesive is insoluble in water and ethanol, and alcohol also poses a risk of explosion near high-temperature equipment.

Do I have to wash the pot before using different brands of rubber granules?

Yes. Different basic resin systems are prone to delamination and agglomeration, so when changing brands or categories, they must be emptied and cleaned.

Why does the first pot of glue become cloudy after cleaning?

Most likely, the cleaning medium is not completely drained, which is a normal phenomenon. This pot can be treated as waste glue.