Adhesive Timing: Working Time, Open Time, and Setting Speed

When you’re choosing an adhesive for a production line, timing of your operation is a core part of performance. Terms like working time, open time, and setting speed show up often, and they describe different moments in the bonding process. Understanding how they relate can help operators troubleshoot issues, improve workflow, and choose the right adhesive for their application.

Here’s a clear breakdown of what each term means and why it matters:

Working Time

Working time is the total window operators have to apply the adhesive, complete the layup, and position materials before the product starts to lose effectiveness. It includes spreading, assembly, and any final adjustments.

A longer working time gives more flexibility for complex assemblies or large layups that take more time to put together. Shorter working times can help speed up production, but they require tight coordination on the line.

Open Time

Open time is a specific portion of working time. It refers only to the period between applying the adhesive and bringing the surfaces together. Once the adhesive begins to dry, lose tack, or form a skin, the bond can weaken significantly.

A longer open time is helpful when operators need more room to work, such as during cold press laminating or when bonding large panels. A shorter open time works well in high-efficiency operations where materials move quickly from spreading to assembly.

Setting Speed (Speed of Set)

Setting speed describes how fast an adhesive develops handling strength after the substrates are joined. This is the point where a bond forms enough strength to move the assembly—or remove it from a clamp or press—without risk of separation.

Fast-setting adhesives help increase throughput by reducing clamp or press times. Slower-setting products offer more time for positioning but extend cycle times. Choosing the right balance is key, especially in processes like hot press operations where rapid turnaround drives productivity.

Finding the Right Balance

Every application requires a different mix of working time, open time, and setting speed. For example:

• Cold press laminating often benefits from longer open time to allow for careful layup.
• Hot press operations usually rely on faster setting adhesives to maximize output.
• RF (Radio Frequency) Pressing typically requires adhesives with moderate open time and fast setting speed to take advantage of the rapid heat-activated bonding while still allowing accurate part placement.

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Environmental factors including temperature and humidity/moisture content of the manufacturing plant, the adhesive, and the chosen substrate itself play a big role in how these timing windows behave. Operators may need to fine-tune glue spread, pressure, or assembly time to maintain consistent performance.

Adhesive Timing Terms At-A-Glance

Timing is one of the most important (and controllable) variables in adhesive performance. Understanding how these windows work makes it easier to select the right product and keep operations running smoothly.

Bonding Best Practices & Resources

We’ve put together resources to help you get the most out of your adhesives to find answers to common questions, adhesive failure signs and solutions, and seasonal tips to prevent common bonding issues.

Click any of the topics below to find detailed guidance for your specific needs:

By Operating Equipment:

• ‍‍Hot Pressing Guide
• ‍‍Cold Pressing Guide
• ‍‍RF Pressing Guide
• ‍‍Clamping/Assembly Pressing Guide
• ‍‍Edge & Face Gluing
• ‍‍Finger Jointing Guide

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Pressure Point Calculators:

• ‍‍Spread Unit Converter
• ‍‍Hydraulic Press Calculator
• ‍‍Edge Gluing Pressure Calculator
• ‍‍Radio Press Batch Press Calculator
• ‍‍Pressure Chart Maker
• ‍‍Glue Cost Calculator

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Seasonal Gluing Tips:

• ‍‍Winter Bonding Tips & Troubleshooting
• ‍‍Autumn Gluing Tips & Troubleshooting

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Franklin aims to work directly with manufacturers to find the right adhesive for their unique application scope and manufacturing process requirements. Connect with our team to learn more.

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Our team of adhesive experts are at the ready to answer your questions. Contact our technical service team or submit a request for more information.

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Franklin Adhesives & Polymers delivers innovative wood adhesives, specialty polymers, and pressure-sensitive adhesive solutions trusted worldwide since 1935. Franklin Adhesives & Polymers is a division of Franklin International.

About Franklin International: Established in 1935, Franklin International is among the largest privately held manufacturers of adhesives and sealants in the U.S. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, the company maintains multiple manufacturing and distribution locations in the U.S. and a plant in Guangzhou, China. The company maintains two divisions: Franklin Adhesives & Polymers provides pressure-sensitive adhesives for labels, tapes and graphics applications, and adhesives for wood assembly markets, and the Construction Division manufactures Titebond-brand wood glues, construction adhesives, sealants and flooring products.

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