Why are some adhesives bad?

Many adhesives have a solvent base. Safe Work Australia defines these solvents as substances that; ‘dissolve a different substance to form a solution.’ In adhesives, they dissolve rubber and resin to make a liquid. Solvents are not intended for human consumption. They’re toxic – considered to be a poison, and an inhalant narcotic according to the Australian Alcohol and Drug Foundation.

How do they harm you?  

If you’re using a gun and pot system to spray your adhesive, you’ll know that air (supplied by an air compressor) is used to propel the adhesive liquid into a spray. This causes atomisation, ending up in a mist of glue that can be inhaled.
What does this mean for you?

It means that solvent can enter your lungs and go directly into your bloodstream. It may make you feel unwell. Headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion and erratic behaviour are just a few symptoms you might experience, according to a fact sheet published by Worker’s Health Australia.

Is protecting yourself too uncomfortable?

There is a solution to this – wear a mask. But judging from how uncomfortable and irritating the respiration masks needed to protect your lungs are,  it’s common that this safety measure is avoided.

Good News!

What is important to understand, is that the primary role of the solvent in the adhesive is to hold the adhesive in solution, then evaporate after the glue has been applied. This makes the bond harden.

While we cannot remove solvents from many adhesives, because they are the most successful at keeping the adhesives in their liquid form, we can prevent them from floating through the air so much.

This is what our TensorGrip Canister System does. It applies adhesives using aerosol technology. As this has a higher pressure than air, it projects the adhesive from the canister to the desired surface, providing up to 100% transfer.

Excluding propellant, the solids content of some TensorGrip adhesives are 49%, so the amount of glue reaching the surface is increased. Some standard contacts have on 14% solids.

In addition, TensorGrip adhesives are made up of a much lower percentage of solvents. Standard contact adhesive is generally made up of approximately 86% - 91% solvent, whereas some TensorGrip adhesives are made up of 35% solvents.  

This results in a clean, controlled and more healthy application without the fog of adhesive sitting in the air.

With solutions spanning across  9 different industries, there’s a good chance a TensorGrip adhesive meets all your requirements.

Protect your health and your future by arming yourself with TensorGrip. Get in touch with us today.