Adhesives based on polyurethane dispersions have become increasingly important in the footwear industry due to their high level of adhesive performance and rising concerns for protecting the environment and providing a safer workplace for employees.
Polyurethane dispersions are the raw material of choice for formulating water-based adhesives for footwear sole bonding as they provide the following properties:
The performances of PUD based adhesives is at the same level as solvent-based adhesives. Certain properties can be superior with water-based Polyurethane systems.
An additional advantage of these systems is their ability to bond to substrates containing plasticizers, which are commonly used to manufacture shoe soles.
There are many products which are good choice for footwear applications. The final properties, like heat resistance and long-term durability, can even be improved by the addition of 3-5% of an emulsifiable polyisocyanate.
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