Adhesive Raw Material Selection: How to Combine SBS/SIS, Acrylic, Epoxy and PU Adhesives

By chemical system, the adhesive industry falls into five main categories: hot melt adhesive (HMA), pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA), waterborne acrylic, epoxy structural adhesive and polyurethane (PU) adhesive. The essence of selection is to match substrate, load mode and process with the properties of the system, rather than simply pursuing "stronger adhesion".

Hot Melt and Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives: Elastomers as the Backbone

Hot melt and pressure-sensitive adhesives based on SBS/SIS/SEBS rely on hard segments (polystyrene) at both ends for cohesion and soft segments in the middle for viscoelasticity. SIS is the core of pressure-sensitive adhesives (labels, hygiene products, carton sealing tapes); SBS is more used in shoe and wood glue; and SEBS, with its ageing resistance and low odour, is the first choice for medical and food-contact adhesives. Selection depends on oil content, styrene content and MI.

Waterborne Acrylic: Eco-Friendly and Versatile

Waterborne acrylic emulsions dominate packaging, woodworking and construction bonding. They have low VOC and are easy to apply, but water and heat resistance depend on monomer design, and are commonly improved through core-shell structures and crosslinking modification.

Epoxy Structural Adhesives: High Strength and Chemical Resistance

Epoxy adhesives offer strong adhesion and low shrinkage, making them the mainstay for structural bonding of metals and composites. They require a matching amine or anhydride curing agent (for example TMA-derived anhydrides, see Trimellitic Anhydride Applications), and cure temperature and mix ratio directly affect final strength.

Polyurethane Adhesives: Flexibility and Weatherability

PU adhesives have good elasticity and wet-out on many substrates, and are widely used in composite flexible packaging, shoe laminating, automotive interiors and construction sealing, in both moisture-curing and two-component forms.

Procurement Points for Raw Materials

Whichever adhesive category, first define the substrate, service temperature, initial/peel adhesion and curing conditions, then work backwards to lock in the elastomer grade, monomers and curing agent combination, and request a COA plus samples for validation. Haiyu Zhonglong provides stable supply and selection support for adhesive-related raw materials such as SBS/SIS/SEBS and TMP. Submit an Online Inquiry or Contact Us; the product list is in the Product Centre.