Adhesives (Gum) Used in
Adhesives (Gum) Used in
1. What types of adhesives are used in corrugated box manufacturing?
The most common adhesives are:
Starch-based adhesive (corn, tapioca, potato starch)
Dextrin adhesive
Synthetic adhesives (PVA, hot melt, resin-based adhesives)
Starch-based adhesives are the most widely used due to low cost, strong bonding, and eco-friendly properties.
2. Why is starch-based adhesive preferred in corrugated board production?
Starch gum is preferred because it is:
Eco-friendly and biodegradable
Economical compared to synthetic adhesives
Provides strong fiber-to-fiber bonding
Easy to prepare and apply
Safe for food packaging applications
3. What are the main ingredients in starch-based corrugation adhesive?
A typical starch adhesive consists of:
Primary starch
Secondary (carrier) starch
Caustic soda (for gelatinization)
Borax / Boric acid (to improve tackiness and bonding)
Water
Additives (optional) like preservatives, viscosity improvers, waterproofing agents.
4. How does starch adhesive work in the corrugation process?
When heated on the corrugation machine, the adhesive:
Gelatinizes and forms a tacky layer
Penetrates paper fibers
Bonds the fluted medium with the liner
Hardens as moisture evaporates, creating a strong bond
6. Can adhesive quality affect board strength?
Yes. Poor-quality gum can cause:
Delamination
Weak pin adhesion
Warp issues
Uneven bonding
Low bursting/crush strength
Quality adhesive is essential for consistent box performance
7. What factors influence adhesive performance?
Key factors include:
Starch quality
pH level
Temperature
Viscosity
Machine speed
Paper GSM and moisture
Ratio of carrier to raw starch
8. What is quick-start or cold-start adhesive?
Quick-start adhesive is a specially formulated gum that:
Requires lower temperature
Offers faster bonding
Reduces energy consumption
Improves productivity
Useful for high-speed corrugators and varying weather conditions.
9. How to store starch-based gum?
Store in a cool, dry place
Avoid direct sunlight
Use freshly prepared adhesive
Avoid storage longer than 24 hours to prevent fermentation
Maintain hygiene in tanks to avoid bacterial growth
10. Are starch adhesives safe for food packaging?
Yes. Starch adhesives are:
Non-toxic
Odorless
Food-safe
They comply with major packaging safety standards when formulated correctly.
11. What are waterproof corrugation adhesives?
These are special adhesives made by adding:
Synthetic resins
Cross-linking agents
Waterproof additives
They improve moisture resistance, ideal for boxes used in cold chain, export, and humid conditions.
12. How to choose the right adhesive for corrugated board?
Consider:
Paper quality (kraft vs recycled)
Machine speed
Weather conditions
Board grade (3-ply, 5-ply, 7-ply)
Application (food, export, heavy-duty)
Required strength (bursting, ECT, pin adhesion)
13. How to reduce adhesive consumption?
Maintain correct viscosity
Use automatic glue kitchen system
Reduce wastage in tank cleaning
Optimize pickup roll settings
Train operators
14.How can adhesive quality be tested?
Common tests include:
pH measurement
Viscosity
Solids content
Pin adhesion test
Cobb test (for water-resistance additives)
15. What is the cost difference between starch and synthetic adhesives?
Starch-based gum is generally:
50–70% cheaper
More cost-efficient for high-volume corrugation
Preferred by most box manufacturers
Synthetic adhesives are used only where special properties are needed.
How To Use Corrugation Gum
