What Will Hot Glue Not Stick To? (2024)

If you’ve ever worked with hot glue, you have undoubtedly got it on something you didn’t intend to. And it seems to stick to everything! But does it?

Continue reading to learn about what hot glue sticks to best, what it will not stick to, what it’s made of, and its best uses.

What doesn’t hot glue stick to?

According to Ad Tech, the world’s largest manufacturer of glue sticks, hot glue adheres well to wood, metal, glass, and many plastics. However, hot glue sticks better to some substances than others.

In general, hot glue sticks best to porous substances that it can leach into, penetrate deeply, and then, solidify to form a strong bond.

It follows that hot glue will not adhere to non-porous materials, including smooth substances like:

Wet or greasy surfaces
Parchment paper
Silicone
Rubber
Teflon
Metal
Vinyl
Wax
PVC

So, now that you know what hot glue will and will not stick to, continue reading to discover why it’s true. Let’s deep dive into what hot glue is made of – and learn about some of the chemical additives that determine why hot glue sticks to some things very well, and others not at all.

What Is Hot Glue Made Of?

According to Syndicated Analytics, “Glue sticks are tubes containing solid and hard thermoplastic adhesives, known as hot-melt adhesives (HMA), that are designed to be applied using a hot glue gun. Moreover, they can also be applied by the process of dipping or spraying. The solid stick glue squeezed out of the heated nozzle of the gun is generally hot and sticky, though it solidifies in a short while.”

Glue sticks do not contain water or chemical cleaners, strippers, diluters, or other solvents. Instead, they are manufactured by combining:

Thermoplastic polymers
Tackifying resins
Antioxidants
Plasticizers
Waxes

Now, let’s look at each additive separately to understand how they combine to create hot glue’s sticking, flexing, grabbing, bonding, and holding power!

Thermoplastic polymers

Thermoplastic polymers (thermoplastics, thermosoft plastics) are plastic-based polymers, which are substances or materials with extra large molecules (macromolecules) that are comprised of numerous repeating subunits.

Thermoplastics become moldable at a specific temperature and solidify when cooled. Glue sticks become very pliable at elevated temperatures, and then resolidify when the temperature drops.

Different thermoplastic polymers give glue sticks different chemical properties, primarily determined by the type and length of molecules in the chain. Common polymers used in glue stick manufacturing include:

Ethylene-methyl acrylate (EMA)
Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA)
Polyethylene
Polyesters

In general, a greater content of thermoplastic polymers gives glue sticks more strength, higher viscosity, and increased flexibility. Read more about why paint won’t stick to rubber and styrofoam for some of the same reasons.

Tackifying resins

Tackifying resins are responsible for the adhesiveness or “tack” of a specific hot glue product, meaning, these resins determine how sticky the glue is and how well it will remain bonded in place.

A greater concentration of tackifying resins in a glue stick yields less tack and a faster curing speed. Lower concentrations of tackifying resin yield aggressive adhesion, slower curing, and stronger bonding.

Antioxidants

Oxidation causes damage to cells, tissues, organs, materials, fabrics, and substances, including glue sticks. Antioxidants work against the process of oxidation to protect their targets from exposure to free radicals.

So, manufacturers may add antioxidants to their glue stick recipes to slow down their product’srate of degradation.

Plasticizers

According to Science Direct, “Plasticizers are low-molecular-weight polymers that increase the spacing between chains of crystalline polymer to make them more flexible and, thereby, tougher.”

Well said, Science Direct!

Moving on…

Waxes

Waxes used in glue stick manufacturing determine the opening speed, meaning how long it takes the hot glue to form a bond with the substances or materials it’s applied to.

Wax also determines the set speed, meaning the time it takes for the hot glue to form a durable bond. Adding wax to glue sticks also increases their heat resistance.

A high content of wax in a glue stick increases viscosity and flexibility while yielding a stronger bond. A lower content of wax in a glue stick decreases bonding aggressiveness, lowers viscosity, and causes the glue to set faster.

Other glue stick additives

Depending on the type of glue stick being manufactured, other additives may be used, including:

UV stabilizers that protect the glue stick from the effects of sunlight and other UV light sources
Germicides that can protect the adhesive from proliferation of pathogenic bacteria and viruses
Colorful pigments and shiny glitter
Flame-retardant chemicals

Finally, 2021 research from the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland explored the potentials for enhancing environmental responsibility during glue stick manufacturing by incorporating thermoplastic cellulose.

The glue stick manufacturing process is concluded by heating all ingredients until the mixture is molten. Then, it’s introduced into cooling tubes, and then sliced into desired sizes after it’s fully cured.

A Word about Glue Sniffing (Solvent Abuse)

According to Healthline, “Sniffing glue can be life-threatening. Even if the result isn’t fatal, the risks associated with glue and other inhalants include possible brain damage and severe breathing problems.”

Now, while glue sticks do not contain solvents, there has been no research on the possible adverse effects of breathing fumes from glue sticks that have been improperly or overheated.

Be careful when using hot glue for any purpose. Do it in an open space with plenty of fresh air and ventilation. Make sure your glue gun operates correctly and is not overheating your glue sticks!