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What Makes a Good Water-Based Adhesive for Leather?
Most leather commodities are constantly being maneuvered. As the leather twists and flexes, the leather adhesive should remain flexible and sturdy enough to maintain a solid bond. Furthermore, water-based adhesive for leather should be fast-tacking and instant-drying. It should dry clear and be composed of rudiments that do not soak or stain the leather.
These are possibly some of the reasons why we are seeing a conversion away from solvent-based adhesives and an increase in the popularity of water-based leather adhesive for leather. Other factors include the enhanced effectiveness, safety, and ecological considerations of water-based adhesives.
Advantages of Water-Based Adhesive for Leather
It’s imperative that leather adhesive be top-notch and full of performance. However, it’s more important that a product is aware of the welfare of its users and the environment.
That being said, we’ve listed down the advantages of water-based adhesive and made straight comparisons to solvent-based alternatives to help emphasise our argument.
Safety First: The absence of chemical components in water-based adhesive, compared to solvents, diminishes the risk of fire and explosions. Risk evaluation at home, in a factory, or in a workshop should always continue. Extensive leather projects sometimes require large quantities of leather glue, and you should always be wary of what and where you’re storing it.
Health Consciousness: Even though both still exclude volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the VOC emissions of water based adhesive for leather is considerably reduced in comparison to the elevated levels found in solvent-based adhesives. If you’re working inside, this could become tricky over time.
Environmental Mindfulness: Basically, solvent-based glues have a greater effect on our environment. Waste and disposal into the soil or our waterways cause pollution. But with water-based adhesives, there’s a decrease in this.
Quality Assurance: Owing to the fact that water-based adhesives wear down the leather on application (shun the use of a softener), the leather itself is more compliant after the glue is applied. Solvent-based glues often harden the leather, affecting its functionality or use.
Colourisation also plays a part. If possible, you’d want any leather adhesive to be resilient to colour change. Water based adhesives have superior yellowing resistance, whereas solvent-based glues turn yellow and brown following a short period of time.
Based on the above alone, it’s obvious why we may support water based adhesive. But the problem still remains: ‘What is the best water-based adhesive for leather?’
Well, what if we told you there’s a water-based adhesive that does all of what we’ve cited so far and more?
Introducing Latex Bonding Solution
General-purpose water-based natural latex adhesive for the footwear industry and related trades.
This Latex Bonding Solution formulation has been meticulously developed to meet the diverse bonding challenges faced by manufacturers, ensuring optimal performance across a range of materials commonly used in footwear production.
Let’s check how this water-based adhesive for leather is transforming the industry:
Increased competence: As in any industry, if there’s a way of achieving improved efficiency, it’s beneficial.
It’s quick and clean, and it’s always prepared for use. This indicates the need for continued maintenance of cleaning brushes and the regular filling of pots where solvent-based glues are concerned.
Better Quality: The ultimate aesthetic of a leather product is key for any buyer. Negating probable issues in the bonding and sealing process will reflect on the overall quality.
When the adhesive is applied, it evenly coats the surface of the leather, thus preventing the formation of a thick layer. They are also applied in small quantities for exceptionally accurate bonding.
Alternately, solvent brushing methods do not create a consistent distribution; therefore, they are prone to lumps and inconsistencies in thickness. It’s also not as precise. For thin and delicate leathers, the slightest difference in formation can cause issues when working with and stitching the leather, sacrificing the final finish.
Minimised Waste: Water-based adhesives do not dry out or vanish. Eventually, this eliminates product waste. The solvent adhesives tend to dry out because they evaporate, and consequently, there is always significant product waste. This is likely because solvent glue has a 15% solid content only, whereas water-based adhesives have a 50% content, further emphasising the value of its bonding performance.
The Right Water-Based Adhesive for Leather for You
To answer the question in the heading of this article, the best water based adhesive has to be one free of solvents. One that recognises the necessities it takes to improve the performance and look of the leather rather than encumber it. A leather adhesive that is conscious of the environment and its role within it is determined to find sustainable solutions. Finally, you should want a water-based adhesive for leather that takes the interests of its customers into account.
Anglo Adhesives can provide valuable assistance in selecting the best water-based adhesive for leather applications. With their expertise in adhesive products and extensive knowledge of the industry, Anglo Adhesives can offer tailored recommendations based on your specific requirements and the characteristics of the leather you’re working with. With Anglo Adhesives’ support, you can confidently choose the most suitable water-based adhesive for your leather projects, achieving optimal results and lasting bonds.