Application
With adequate processing equipment SikaMelt®-176 can be applied as film, dot, bead or spray application. When dispensing SikaMelt®-176 from drums, for applications by slot die or spraying device, first transfer the material to an intermediate tank avoiding air entrapments.
For automated applications a suitable filter system is required.
To meet the required application properties the adhesive viscosity can be adjusted by adapting the application temperature (see diagram 1).

Diagram 1: Viscosity as function of temperature
During breaks SikaMelt®-176 is to be processed as follows:
For breaks ≥ 1 h the heating needs to be lowered to 80 °C and for breaks ≥ 4 h the heating needs to be switched off.
To ensure a constant quality during the whole production process it is mandatory to protect the adhesive in the melting tank with nitrogen or carbon dioxide (to avoid possible reaction of the product with oxygen).
For advice on selecting and setting up suitable processing equipment contact the System Engineering Department of Sika Industry.