AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE COMPOSITION OF PRODUCTS EVOLVED DURING HEATING OF HOT-MELT ADHESIVES

The major chemical components generated by a selection of fourteen hot melt adhesives during heating have been identified. This information is required so that the possible health consequences of occupational e xposure can be assessed and advice on controls developed. Details are also given of the test apparatus and standard testing procedure devise d for this investigation. Analysis of the evolved material indicates t he presence of a wide range of chemical compounds, including resin aci ds, volatile terpenes, aliphatic aldehydes, aliphatic and aromatic hyd rocarbons and isocyanates. Some components, including resin acids and formaldehyde, are common to several types of adhesive, whereas others, such as acrolein and isocyanates, are specific tc, just one. There is no component which is characteristic of fume from all fourteen adhesi ves. Concentrations of individual chemical components show significant variation, both between different types of adhesive, and between samp les of the same adhesive heated to different temperatures or for diffe rent periods of time. For individual adhesives, concentrations of evol ved material tend to increase as the temperature of the glue is raised , with the highest levels being observed in samples taken directly aft er commencement of heating. Crown copyright (C) 1998 Published by Else vier Science Ltd.