Tips For Common Winter Wood Gluing Issues

Cold weather often introduces challenges in wood bonding applications. Most issues can be diagnosed and corrected quickly when the root causes are understood. Below, find common winter gluing problems for wood adhesives, how to identify them on the production line, and potential solutions.

If you are experiencing a bonding issue mentioned below or an additional problem not listed, contact our team directly for additional help by reaching out to customer service at 1.800.487.4583, or via email at IASCS@franklininternational.com.

Open Joints

Open joints typically appear at the ends of edge-glued panels and are usually caused by rapid or uneven moisture loss after gluing. They may present as slight separations along the panel edges after curing.

Potential Solutions:

1. In general for PVAs, maintain wood moisture content between 6–8%, with 6% preferred in winter to reduce post-assembly shrinkage.
2. Keep plant relative humidity around 30–40% to minimize rapid moisture loss or panel shrinkage.
3. Use an end-sealer to slow moisture loss from exposed end grain.
4. If issues continue, consider contacting our technical service team for deeper evaluation.

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Under-Cured Bonds

Under-cured joints occur when adhesive curing is slowed by cold plant environments or low wood temperatures that do not allow the substrate and adhesive to make a strong bond. Under-cure may show up as weak bonds, panel failures and delamination (also known as “delams”), or joints that fail prematurely during testing.

Potential Solutions:

1. Increase clamp time to allow adequate curing in colder conditions. Generally, doubling clamp time for each 10ºF drop below 70ºF is recommended. For radio frequency pressing, add 5–10 seconds or more to the cure cycle as temperatures continue to drop.
2. Verify both plant and wood temperatures meet recommended minimum use temperatures.
3. If failures continue, reach out to our technical service team to help determine the cause of under-cured bonds.

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Glue Line Chalking

Glue line chalking appears as a white, chalky, or dull squeeze-out and typically indicates that the adhesive or wood was below the recommended minimum use temperature. This prevents proper film formation and weakens the bond.

Potential Solutions:

1. Confirm temperatures for both the plant and wood substrates are kept above the adhesive’s minimum use temperature (aka chalk temperature) by referring to the Product Data Sheet.
2. Increase ambient conditions by a few degrees above the minimum temperature for safety.
3. If chalking continues, contact our team to discuss environmental controls or alternative adhesive technologies.

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Frozen Adhesive

“My glue arrived frozen due to winter transportation & logistics variables. Can I use it?”

This can be a question that arises in colder months. Frozen glue occurs when water-based adhesives (such as PVAs) are exposed to temperatures below their freeze threshold. Signs may include thickened material, “cottage cheese” lumps, or an unusually grainy texture in the adhesive.

Potential Solutions:

1. Validate an adhesives freeze/thaw stability by looking at the “Storage & Handling” considerations on the official Product Data Sheet.
2. If frozen adhesive is received, contact Franklin Customer Service and potentially the carrier immediately if you have concerns about evaluating the product for use.
3. Review storage areas to ensure adhesives remain above their minimum storage temperature.
4. For future orders, consider ordering shipments in advance before severe weather predictions to reduce transit risks.

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Your Partner in Safe, Efficient Adhesive Application

Franklin International encourages customers to evaluate adhesive application processes with consideration for health, safety and environmental impact. Support resources include training, product literature, SDS documentation and direct assistance from our technical support, customer service, and product safety teams. Reach out to our team today to request any of the above information.

More specialized adhesive technologies (such as EPI systems, Reactive Hot Melts, and other advanced chemistries) may require additional or unique considerations during winter operation. Always reference the product’s Product Data Sheet (PDS) and Safety Data Sheet (SDS), or contact our Technical Service team, for guidance specific to your adhesive system.

We're Here to Help!

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, a division of Franklin International, 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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