In truck and trailer manufacturing, every production line has its own rhythm. Some stages demand patience – time to position, align and adjust. Others need to move fast and keep the process running smoothly. In addition to providing reliable strength, the adhesive has to keep up with the pace of the production process. That’s the thinking behind the new Kiilto Pro PUR TB series: high-strength polyurethane adhesives built around open time, so manufacturers can simply pick the tempo that fits.
Building sandwich panels that hold up in transport
Sandwich panels are the building blocks of modern truck and trailer cargo bodies – structural elements made by bonding layers of metal, insulation and wood-based or composite materials. These structures need to combine low weight, durability and good thermal insulation, while supporting efficient production.
Adhesive bonding distributes stress evenly across the panel, which helps maintain consistent panel quality and reduce thermal bridging.
Selecting the right adhesive is not always straightforward, even in established production environments. Each stage of the process runs at its own tempo, and the adhesive needs to match it.
Open time sets the pace in sandwich panel bonding
Open time is one of the most important parameters in sandwich panel production. It defines how long the adhesive remains workable after application – in other words, how much time there is to assemble and position the components.
If the open time of the selected adhesive is too short, there may not be enough time to complete the assembly. If it is too long for the process, the adhesive reacts more slowly and pressing times may increase, slowing down production and keeping pressing stations occupied.
That’s why it’s common for manufacturers to use adhesives with different working speeds. For example, slower adhesives may be used in the first layers of a sandwich panel, while faster ones are applied towards the final stages to keep production moving.
In practice, small variations in production conditions can affect timing, which is why adhesive selection needs to allow for some flexibility within the process.
The Kiilto Pro PUR TB series: adhesives built around open time
Kiilto Pro PUR TB is a two-component, solvent-free polyurethane adhesive series for sandwich panel production in the transportation industry.
The series is built on our long-standing experience in demanding transport applications and based on well-established formulations already used in production.
The adhesives are organised by open time, from fast-setting options to longer working times, making it easier to select the right solution for different production speeds and assembly stages. Open times range from approximately 10 minutes to over two hours.
Designed for consistent performance on the line
In addition to sufficient open times and short pressing times, consistent adhesive behaviour and reliable pumpability are essential in sandwich panel production. Kiilto Pro PUR TB adhesives are formulated to move consistently through application equipment, which helps reduce pressure build-up in long hose systems and the risk of unplanned downtime.
The adhesives are also formulated to provide the right balance of adhesion, elasticity and hardness. They are strong enough to hold different materials together, yet flexible enough to handle the vibration and movement that trucks and trailers go through in use.
We verify performance with actual customer materials, in both laboratory and real production environments, using different metals, surface treatments and material combinations. Testing also covers long-term durability and weathering to make sure the adhesive performs reliably in real transport conditions over time.
If needed, adhesive properties such as viscosity and flow behaviour can be adjusted to match specific application methods and equipment.
Bio-based content as part of ongoing development
As environmental requirements tighten across transport manufacturing, bio-based material content is an increasingly relevant factor in adhesive selection.
Around 38% of the content in the Pro PUR TB series is bio-based. At Kiilto, we have been working with bio-based raw materials for decades. We are gradually expanding their use in different adhesive applications and increasing their share in our formulations, while ensuring the adhesives continue to perform consistently in demanding industrial applications. Whenever possible, we also aim to source raw materials from geographically closer suppliers.
Colour-coded for easy process control
Since the Kiilto Pro PUR TB series covers a wide range of open times, in most cases a suitable adhesive can be selected directly without combining products.
However, in some cases, the manufacturer may need a more specific combination of open and pressing time for a particular stage of the process.
To make this easier, some adhesives in the series are colour-coded. If it’s necessary to mix two adhesives together to reach a specific working time, it’s easy to verify visually that the components are properly mixed and the intended ratio is achieved.
From selection to production, without guesswork
We believe that adhesives should work around your production process, not the other way round. That’s why we always test our adhesives with your materials and processes, helping ensure consistent and reliable performance in real use.
Looking for strong adhesives that match the rhythm of your sandwich panel production? Get in touch with our team to discuss your requirements and test the right solution in practice.
Adhesive bonding in sandwich panel production
- Enables bonding of different materials, such as metals, insulation and composites
- Distributes stress evenly across the panel, reducing local stress points and thermal bridging
- Supports lightweight construction without compromising durability
- Helps maintain consistent quality in high-volume production
| Kiilto offers 2-component PUR adhesives for wall, ceiling and floor structures, adhesive sealants for sealing, installation, and fixing accessories, as well as primers and cleaners. Discover all our solutions for the transportation industry here |