Hot melt adhesives (HMAs) are versatile bonding materials widely used across industries such as packaging, woodworking, textiles, and electronics. Composed mainly of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), modified rosin resin, and petroleum resin, these adhesives are solvent-free, environmentally friendly, and deliver rapid bonding with high strength and durability. However, maintaining the visual quality and color stability of hot melt adhesives—especially preventing yellowing during melting—can be challenging. This is where OBA for hot melt adhesive plays a critical role.
Why Use Optical Brighteners in Hot Melt Adhesives?
Hot melt adhesives are thermoplastic materials whose physical state changes with temperature. While they offer excellent adhesion, many tend to yellow when heated, which affects the color consistency and overall appearance of the bonded product.
Even adhesives with strong bonding strength can appear low-quality if the adhesive layer turns yellow or dull. For industries where appearance and color uniformity are essential, this issue is unacceptable.
Adding optical brightening agents (OBAs) solves this problem by enhancing whiteness and preventing discoloration—ensuring adhesives remain bright, clean, and visually appealing throughout processing and use.
Benefits of OBA for Hot Melt Adhesive
1. Improved Whiteness and Appearance
OBA for hot melt adhesives absorbs UV light and emits visible blue light, giving the adhesive a bright, clear, and translucent look. This visually enhances the final product, particularly in transparent or light-colored applications.
2. Effective Yellowing Resistance
Yellowing can occur due to heat, oxidation, or UV exposure. By incorporating optical brightener OB, hot melt adhesives maintain stable color and brightness, even under high-temperature processing or prolonged storage.
3. Excellent Compatibility and Weather Resistance
Optical Brightener OB offers excellent compatibility with EVA-based hot-melt adhesives. It not only improves brightness but also enhances weather and UV resistance—helping adhesives maintain both performance and appearance over time.
4. Easy to Use in Manufacturing
Adding OBA for hot melt adhesive is simple. Mix approximately 200g of Optical Brightener OB evenly into the hot melt adhesive raw materials before heating and stirring. This small addition can significantly increase whiteness while providing long-term anti-yellowing benefits.
Recommended Product: Optical Brightener OB
Shandong Grand Chemical Co., Ltd. provides high-quality Optical Brightener OB specifically suited for hot melt adhesive applications.
- ✅ Excellent whiteness enhancement
- ✅ Strong UV and heat resistance
- ✅ Stable dispersion and compatibility with adhesive polymers
- ✅ Quality comparable to BASF’s Tinopal OB—at only 30% of the cost
Our products are trusted by manufacturers worldwide for their stable performance and consistent results.
Conclusion
Incorporating OBA for hot melt adhesives offers manufacturers a simple yet effective solution to improve brightness, resist yellowing, and enhance product quality.
With reliable products and expert technical support, Shandong Grand Chemical Co., Ltd. helps you achieve superior adhesive performance at competitive prices.