Metering mixing equipment allows adhesives with two components to be dispersed directly from bulk packs such as pails, tanks, or drums. Metering pumps have many technical characteristics that make them suitably better or worse for specific types of products.
Points of consideration when choosing a metering pump type include :
- Output rate
- Pumping consistency/accuracy
- Adhesive viscosity/rheology
- Flexibility to modify component mix ratios
- Cost and pump maintenance
- Suitability for use with abrasive or lightweight fillers in the adhesive components
Image Credit: Huntsman Advanced Materials
Source: Huntsman Advanced Materials
| |
Piston
Pump |
Gear
Pump |
Screw
Pump |
Progressive Cavity
Pump |
| Constant output (no pulsing) |
✘ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
| Variable component mix ratio |
✘ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
| Low-medium viscosity fluids |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
| High viscosity / thixotropic fluids |
✓ |
✘ |
✓ |
✓ |
| Very high viscosity fluids |
✘ |
✘ |
✘ |
✓ |
| Fluids with abrasive fillers |
✓ |
✘ |
✘ |
✓ |
| Fluids with hollow fillers |
✘ |
✘ |
✓ |
✓ |
| Cost |
⊕ |
⊕ |
⊕⊕ |
⊕⊕⊕ |
| Variability of output rate |
⊕⊕⊕ |
⊕ |
⊕⊕ |
⊕⊕ |
| Pumping pressure |
⊕⊕⊕ |
⊕⊕⊕ |
⊕⊕⊕ |
⊕⊕ |
| Pump maintenance |
⊕⊕ |
⊕ |
⊕ |
⊕⊕⊕ |
There are two main functions of the equipment:
- To separate each adhesive component with specifically metered pumps. These can control the respective component's volume accurately and ensure the mixing ratio is correct.
- Mix the two adhesive components throughout the dispensing.
This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by Huntsman Advanced Materials.
For more information on this source, please visit Huntsman Advanced Materials.