October is coming to a close, meaning the winter season is drawing in - along with the colder temperatures that come with it. In the latest blog from TensorGrip TC Adhesives, we share some quick tips on how our customers can protect their canisters from the potential impacts of low temperatures.

Considering and taking measures against the impact of cold temperatures is essential in maintaining the integrity and performance of your TensorGrip TC Adhesive canister. Before we share our tips on doing this properly, we’d like to highlight some giveaway signs that your adhesive is too cold. These signs include:

• Your adhesive is ‘spitting’ out of the gun
• Your spray pattern is unusually inconsistent
• Your adhesive is taking a longer time than usual to flash off
• Materials are coming out of the solution as unwanted residue
• A foam may be appearing in your adhesive solution 
• Your adhesive may be noticeably thicker compared to the time of purchase 
• The general appearance of your solution has noticeable changed 

Experiencing one of all of these signs is an indicator that your adhesive has been detrimentally impacted by low temperatures. To prevent this from happening, Composites organisations can take a number of simple steps.

Protect Your Adhesive’s Integrity with Some Simple Steps 

There are two important elements to consider when protecting your TensorGrip TC Adhesive canister from the detrimental impacts of low temperatures. Firstly, the canister’s spray gun must be protected. Secondly, the temperature of your canister in its storage space must be raised. See below for more info:

• Protecting your spray gun: Examine your canister’s spray gun closely and test its operation. If it exhibits any dropping or leaking, it’s highly likely that it has been impacted by freezing temperatures. If your spray gun has been damaged, there are some simple steps you can take to return it to its former glory. Start by checking the hose connection. If it's loose and swivels around, it will have to be tightened and secured. If adhesive continues to dribble from your spray gun, the issue may be with a blockage in the gun tip, which can be easily resolved by using a TensorGrip cleaner product. Finally, you’ll need to tighten the back seal - this can be done by using a 10mm spanner to gently tighten the nut a ¼ turn at a time, testing the trigger movement between each turn.
• Raising canister temperature: Regardless of the TensorGrip TC Adhesive you’re using, it is important to store your product in an environment that is below 6 degrees celsius. However, maintaining this temperature across large spaces is not always feasible in composites manufacturing. Whilst installing heaters can offer a quick fix to this issue, there are other ways of raising your canister’s temperature. For example, raising your canister above the ground will allow it to benefit from rising heat. Secondly, consider the use of heat belts can raise the temperature of your adhesives to an acceptable and constant level. 
• A quick fix: In many cases, composites manufacturing organisations will have little choice but to store their TensorGrip TC Adhesives canisters in cold environments. For a quick and simple fix, the canister can be placed in a bucket of warm water 15 minutes before use. If you’re taking this step, gently agitate the canister by rocking it back and forth on its shoulder. 

Cold Weather Canister Care: Call on Our Trusted Advisors 

If you’re experiencing challenges in storing your canisters in colder temperatures, you can call on us. For more information on cold canister care, get in touch with us today to speak to a Trusted TensorGrip Advisor.