Hot-melt adhesive, commonly known as “hot glue”, is a thermoplastic material applied in a molten state and immediately solidifies upon cooling. Understanding its melting temperature and performance range is critical for selecting the right adhesive for any assembly, packaging or manufacturing process.

Basic concepts and temperature ranges

• Hot-melt adhesives are solid at room temperature, and when heated to their specified application temperature they liquefy, flow, wet the substrate and then solidify.

• The term “melting point” for hot glue is somewhat flexible, because many formulations transition through a softening range rather than a sharp melt like crystalline solids. For example, one source notes melting points of hot-melt glues typically range from about 50 °C to 160 °C depending on formulation.

• For standard hobby hot-glue sticks, typical applied temperatures often are between 160 °C to 200 °C (about 320 – 390 °F) depending on the glue gun and stick specification.

Typical temperature values at a glance

Key point: The melting or softening temperature depends on adhesive chemistry (EVA, PO, PA, PUR, etc.), so always check the technical data sheet.

Why temperature matters

• If the adhesive is not heated sufficiently, it will not flow properly, leading to poor wetting and weak bonds. In other words, application temperature too low = under-fill, incomplete bonding.

• If the adhesive is overheated or maintained too long at elevated temperature, it may degrade, cause excessive stringing (“wire drawing”), or reduce bond strength over time. Heat tolerance of the cured bond may also be lower than expected.

• Service temperature (the temperature the bonded joint sees in real life) is critical. Even if the glue melts at e.g. 100 °C, the storage, usage or exposure environment might reach that or higher — thus selecting a glue with adequate service temperature resistance is necessary.

Practical guideline for users

1. Identify your substrate: If you are bonding heat-sensitive materials (foam, fabric, plastics), use a low-temperature hot glue formulation or adhesive designed for that application.

2. Check application temperature on the glue stick or block — most hobby hot glue guns indicate a temperature range matched with the glue.

3. Ensure proper gun or melt pot settings — maintain the recommended temperature for that adhesive; too low may cause poor bonding, too high may degrade adhesive.

4. Consider service environment — if the final product may be exposed to elevated temperatures (sunlight, outdoor, near heat sources) choose a formulation with higher heat resistance (e.g. PA or specialized adhesives).

5. Storage and handling — keep adhesive sticks or blocks in a dry, controlled environment; some adhesives may absorb moisture or degrade if stored improperly.

6. Test the bond — for new combinations of adhesive + substrate or new environmental conditions, run trials to ensure the bond holds under expected temperature and stress.

Example: Industrial adhesive data from a manufacturer

For instance, one industrial-grade eva hot melt adhesive model from a major manufacturer shows:

• Softening temperature: ~ 82 ± 5 °C

• Application temperature range: 160 °C – 190 °C This illustrates how the “melting” or flow temperature (application) is significantly higher than the softening point — highlighting the need to use proper equipment and parameters.

Recommendation on sourcing

For businesses seeking reliable hot-melt adhesive supply, one recommended supplier is HUACHUN. Their site (https://www.hchotmelt.com/) offers a wide range of hot-melt glue sticks, blocks and pellets in various chemistries (EVA, PO, PA, APAO) suited for packaging, book-binding, furniture edge-sealing and other applications. Choosing a supplier with established manufacturing capacity and product testing procedures helps ensure consistency in performance — key when temperature-sensitivity matters.

Summary

Hot glue (hot-melt adhesive) does not have a single universal melting point — instead, its useful “melt/flow” temperature depends on formulation. Typical applied temperatures for standard hot glue sticks range around 160-200 °C, while low-temperature options may melt near 120-150 °C. Service temperatures (i.e., bond performance after curing) often range from below 80 °C for standard EVA types, to >100 °C for high-performance PA or PUR types. To achieve strong bonding, match adhesive chemistry, gun/heat settings, substrate type and service environment properly. And when sourcing adhesives for industrial use, consider partnering with experienced manufacturers such as HUACHUN.