Technical Selection Guide
Recommended Materials
Based on the type of material to be bonded, performance requirements, and application scenarios, Vomelt provides targeted selection solutions for hot melt adhesive films, hot melt webs, and functional dot films. This guide classifies seven major substrate categories combined with six core performance indicators to recommend optimal product series and process parameters.
Quick Guide to Vomelt Hot Melt Products
Environmentally friendly thermoplastic bonding materials: solvent-free, formaldehyde-free, zero-VOC.
Three Product Forms
Solid Dense Film
Large bonding area, high strength, waterproof and non-breathable. Suitable for applications requiring high strength, high wash resistance, and high transparency.
Adhesive Web
Mesh structure. Fully breathable, soft and lightweight. Suitable for sportswear, underwear, and home textiles requiring high breathability and light weight.
Waterproof Dot Film
Dot pattern. Micro-breathable + waterproof, highly elastic and seamless. Suitable for functional fabrics such as outdoor shell jackets and sun-protective clothing.
Four-Step Core Selection Method
1
Look at the Substrate
- Elastic fabrics: High-elastic series (TPU/TPE)
- Plastics (PP/PE): PO/EAA
- Leather/Wood: General-purpose TPU
2
Look at the Environment
- High-temp/Wash: PES/PA
- Severe cold: TPE/TPU
- High-humidity: PES/polyether TPU
3
Look at Appearance
- Transparent: TPU/TPE ultra-clear
- Dark/Matte: TPE matte or EVA
- Anti-glare: TPE matte
4
Look at Function
- Breathable only: Web/textured film
- Waterproof & Breathable: Dot film
- Non-breathable: Solid dense film
One-Stop Custom Services
Customization of thickness, color, melting point, breathability, transparency, elasticity, temperature resistance available, plus material processing OEM, adhesive backing OEM, and dot coating OEM.
Fabrics & Textiles
| Fabric Type | Recommended Products | Key Performance Match | Recommended Process | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elastic fabrics (spandex, nylon, lycra) | TPU film, TPU web, TPE film | High elasticity (residual deformation ≤3%), wide temp (-20~85°C) | 105~120°C, 0.2~0.3MPa, 10~15s | Do not use PA/PES/EVA – they lock elasticity |
| Non-elastic fabrics (cotton, linen, polyester) | TPU film, PA film, PES film | Choose according to need: soft → TPU; shaping → PA/PES | TPU:110~125°C; PA:130~145°C | PA/PES suitable for collars, cuffs requiring crispness |
| Light-colored/transparent/mesh | TPU ultra-clear film, TPE high-clarity film | Transparency ★★★★★ (transmittance ≥90%, haze ≤3%) | 105~115°C low temp, light pressure | Avoid mesh products or EVA – marks/whitening |
| Breathable fabrics (sportswear, underwear) | TPE textured breathable film, TPU web, PA/PES web | Air permeability 800~2000 mm/s, seamless or shaping | 100~120°C | Choose textured film for seamless to avoid mesh marks |
| Waterproof fabrics (shell jackets) | TPU/PU waterproof dot film | Micro-breathable (50~200 mm/s), waterproof, high elasticity | 105~115°C low-temp setting | Do not use solid film or ordinary web |
| High-temperature wash fabrics | PES film, PA film | Resists 90°C industrial washing, dry cleaning, hydrolysis | PA:130~150°C; PES:140~160°C | EVA is cold-water-wash only |
Foam & Sponge
| Foam Type | Recommended Products | Key Performance Match | Recommended Process | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General polyurethane foam | TPU film, TPE film | Moderate melting point (95~130°C), soft, no damage | 100~110°C, 0.1~0.2MPa, 5~10s | High temp (>130°C) shrinks/melts foam |
| High-resilience foam | TPU film | High resilience match, low residual deformation | 105~115°C | Avoid rigid materials (PA/PES) |
| Flame-retardant foam | PES film, PA film | High-temp resistance, flame-retardant compatible | 130~150°C | PES offers better high-temp flame retardancy |
| Anti-static foam | TPU film (custom) | Customizable anti-static modification | 105~120°C | Contact for customization |
| EVA foam | TPU film, PO/EAA film | Similar polarity, strong adhesion | 100~120°C | PO/EAA has better adhesion to EVA foam |
Leather
| Leather Type | Recommended Products | Key Performance Match | Recommended Process | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural leather (top-grain) | TPU film, TPE film | Soft, high resilience, low-temp processing | 110~120°C, 0.2~0.3MPa, 10~15s | Avoid high temp to prevent damage |
| Synthetic / PU leather | TPU film, TPU/PU dot film | Polarity match, seamless bonding | 105~115°C | Dot film retains leather breathability |
| PVC leather | TPU film, PO/EAA film | PO/EAA has very strong adhesion to PVC | 110~130°C | TPU works, but PO/EAA is better |
| Suede / nubuck | TPE film | Ultra-soft feel, does not become stiff | 105~115°C | Avoid PA/PES (makes feel hard) |
| Automotive interior leather | PES film, PA film | Resists high-temp exposure (-12~120°C), aging resistant | 130~150°C | Must meet vehicle high-temp requirements |
Plastics (ABS, PC, PP, PE, etc.)
| Plastic Type | Recommended Products | Key Match | Process | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABS, PC, PS, PMMA | TPU film, PO/EAA film | Similar polarity, strong adhesion | 110~130°C | TPU generally good; PO/EAA also works |
| PP (polypropylene) | PO/EAA (first choice), TPU (with corona) | Low surface energy, PO/EAA formulated | 120~140°C | PP must be pretreated or use PO/EAA |
| PE (polyethylene) | PO/EAA film | Low surface energy formulation | 110~130°C | Ordinary TPU will not adhere |
| Nylon (PA) | TPU film, PA film | Good compatibility with same material | 120~140°C | PA film offers high hot-tack strength |
| PET (polyester) | TPU film, PES film | Polarity match, temp options | 110~150°C | PES offers better high-temp resistance |
| PVC (rigid) | PO/EAA film, TPU film | Good adhesion | 120~140°C | Soft PVC requires lower temp |
Wood
| Wood Type | Recommended Products | Key Performance Match | Recommended Process | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solid wood, plywood, MDF | TPU film, PO/EAA film, EVA film | High initial tack, solvent-free | 100~130°C | Avoid excessive temp to prevent discoloration |
| Wood veneer / thin sheets | TPU film, TPE film | Ultra-thin, soft, no warping | 100~110°C low temp | Choose the thinnest film gauge |
| Wood-plastic composite (WPC) | PO/EAA film | Polarity match | 110~130°C | TPU can also be tried |
| Bamboo | TPU film | General purpose | 110~120°C | Note bamboo oil content; confirm with trial |
Metal
| Type | Recommended | Process |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | PO/EAA, TPU | 120~150°C |
| Stainless steel | PO/EAA, TPU | 130~160°C |
| Copper, brass | TPU, PO/EAA | 120~140°C |
| Galvanized | PO/EAA | 130~150°C |
Rubber
| Type | Recommended | Process |
|---|---|---|
| Natural (NR) | TPU, TPE | 110~130°C |
| Nitrile (NBR) | TPU | 120~140°C |
| Silicone | Special TPU (custom) | Needs primer |
| EPDM | PO/EAA, TPU | 130~150°C |
Quick Selection Index (by Substrate)
| Substrate | First Choice | Alternative | Prohibited |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elastic fabrics | TPU film/web, TPE film | — | PA, PES, EVA |
| Light-colored/transparent | TPU ultra-clear, TPE high-clarity | — | Any mesh product, EVA, PO |
| Breathable fabrics (seamless) | TPE textured breathable film | TPU web | Solid dense film |
| Waterproof elastic fabrics | TPU/PU dot film | — | Ordinary film, mesh film |
| Foam/sponge | TPU film, TPE film | PES (flame-retardant) | EVA (yellowing) |
| Natural leather | TPU film, TPE film | — | PA, PES |
| PP/PE plastics | PO/EAA film | Corona-treated TPU | Untreated TPU |
| ABS/PC/nylon | TPU film | PO/EAA | EVA |
| Wood | TPU film, PO/EAA | EVA (indoor) | PA, PES (too hard) |
| Metal (aluminum, steel) | PO/EAA film | TPU film | EVA |
| Rubber (NR/NBR) | TPU film, TPE film | PO/EAA | PA, PES |
Recommended Multi-Material Composites
| Composite Structure | Recommended Products | Key Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric + foam (bra cups, shoulder pads) | TPU film, TPE film | Low temperature, soft, does not damage foam |
| Leather + fabric (luggage, footwear) | TPU film, TPE film | High peel strength, flex resistance |
| Metal + plastic (phone cases, nameplates) | PO/EAA film, TPU film | Temperature resistance, impact resistance |
| Wood + leather (furniture) | TPU film | Flexibility, aging resistance |
| Fabric + fabric (seamless underwear) | TPU ultra-clear, TPE ultra-clear | Transparent, high elasticity, washable |
| Waterproof fabric + waterproof membrane | TPU/PU dot film | Waterproof, breathable, high peel strength |
Material Selection Notes
1
Surface Treatment
For low-surface-energy materials (plastics PP/PE, metal, silicone), corona, plasma, or primer treatment greatly improves bond strength.
2
Process Matching
Strictly follow melting range. Too high = thermal aging/loss of elasticity; too low = incomplete melting, whitening, false bonding.
3
Thickness Selection
If bond strength is sufficient, always choose the thinnest possible film gauge to retain fabric breathability, softness, and transparency.
4
Small Batch Validation
Always perform trial bonding before mass production to confirm peel strength, wash resistance, and temperature resistance.
5
Custom Services
If standard products cannot fully meet requirements, Vomelt offers custom modification services.
Custom Services & Technical Support
Customizable Parameters
| Thickness (film) | 0.02mm ~ 0.35mm |
| Basis weight (web) | 15 g/m² ~ 120 g/m² |
| Width | 100mm ~ 1600mm (slittable) |
| Melting range | Fine-tuned from 80°C to 160°C |
| Transparency | Ultra-clear / Semi-transparent / Matte |
| Elasticity | Super-elastic / High-elastic / Medium |
| Temp range | High-temp (max 140°C) / Low-temp (min -30°C) |
| Washing | 60°C / 90°C / Industrial / Dry clean |
Customization Process
- Requirement communication (substrate, scenario)
- Solution design (lab evaluation)
- Sample prototyping (3-7 working days)
- Customer testing (actual process conditions)
- Mass production delivery (15-30 days)
OEM Lamination Services
Material processing OEM
Customer provides fabric; we apply adhesive film and complete lamination.
Adhesive backing OEM
Pre-laminates film/web onto customer substrate (protected by release paper).
Dot coating OEM
Custom dot, grid, or stripe adhesive pattern per customer drawing.
Specification Quick Reference
Common TPU Film Specs
| Thick (mm) | Weight (g/m²) | Application | Melt °C |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.02 | 18-22 | Ultra-thin lace, chiffon | 95-110 |
| 0.04 | 35-40 | Seamless sportswear | 95-115 |
| 0.06 | 55-60 | General elastic T-shirts | 100-120 |
| 0.10 | 90-100 | Sports braces, footwear | 105-125 |
| 0.15 | 135-150 | Luggage, leather | 110-130 |
Common TPE Film Specs
| Thick (mm) | Weight (g/m²) | Application | Melt °C |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.03 | 28-32 | Baby textiles, underwear | 105-120 |
| 0.05 | 45-50 | High-end yoga wear | 105-125 |
| 0.08 | 72-80 | Mattress lamination | 110-130 |
| 0.12 | 110-120 | Luggage lining, insoles | 115-130 |
Common Hot Melt Web Specs
| Product | Weight (g/m²) | Permeability | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| PA web | 20 ~ 80 | 1200-1800 | Garment interlinings |
| PES web | 25 ~ 100 | 1200-2000 | Outdoor, high-temp wash |
| TPU web | 18 ~ 60 | 800-1200 | Elastic sportswear |
| EVA web | 20 ~ 50 | 1500-2500 | Disposable items |
Waterproof Dot Film Specs
| Pattern Pitch | Weight | Waterproof | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5mm | 15-25g | >10kPa | Lightweight sun-protective |
| 2.0mm | 25-35g | >8kPa | General shell jackets |
| 2.5mm | 35-50g | >5kPa | Heavy-duty outdoor |
Material Selection Decision Flow
Step 1: Identify the substrate
- Fabrics/textiles: Go to Step 2
- Foam/sponge: TPU/TPE (low temp/pressure), avoid PA/PES/EVA
- Leather: TPU/TPE (soft), avoid PA/PES (will harden)
- Plastics (PP/PE): Directly choose PO/EAA
- Plastics (ABS/PC/nylon/PET): TPU or PO/EAA
- Wood/Metal: TPU or PO/EAA
- Rubber: TPU or TPE (silicone needs custom)
Step 2: Check if fabric is elastic
- Yes (spandex, lycra): Choose TPU or TPE, prohibit PA/PES/EVA
- No (cotton, linen): Can choose TPU (soft) or PA/PES (shaping)
Step 3 & 4: Breathability & Transparency
- High breathability (not waterproof): Hot melt web or TPE textured film
- Waterproof & micro-breathable: TPU/PU waterproof dot film
- No breathability: Solid dense film
- Extremely Transparent (lace/mesh): TPU/TPE ultra-clear, prohibit mesh/EVA
- Matte requirement: TPE matte frosted film or EVA
Step 5: Check washing/use environment
- 40-60°C machine wash: TPU, TPE sufficient
- 90°C industrial/dry clean: Must use PA or PES
- Outdoor high-temp exposure: PES > PA > TPU/TPE
- Severe cold (below -20°C): TPE > TPU, prohibit PA/PES
Typical Application Cases
| Product Type | Substrate | Recommended Product | Key Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seamless underwear | Nylon + spandex | TPU ultra-clear film (0.04mm) | Transmittance ≥92%, deformation ≤3% |
| Yoga pants | Polyester + spandex | TPE textured film (0.05mm) | Recovery ≥95%, breathability 800-1200 |
| Outdoor shell jacket | Waterproof polyester | TPU/PU dot film (25g) | Hydrostatic >8kPa, breathability >120 |
| Shirt collar interlining | Cotton + PA interlining | PA film (0.10mm) | Temp resistance 110°C, dry clean resistant |
| Medical protective gown | PP non-woven | PES web (40g) | Resists high-temp steam, breathable |
Common Selection Mistakes
| Wrong Selection | Correct Selection | Reason for Correction |
|---|---|---|
| EVA film for elastic underwear | TPU or TPE film | EVA has high residual deformation, no elastic recovery |
| PA film for light-colored lace | TPU ultra-clear film | PA has high haze, causes whitening and visible marks |
| Ordinary TPU to bond PP plastic | PO/EAA film | TPU incompatible with low-surface-energy PP |
| TPU solid film for sportswear | TPE textured film or web | Solid film is completely non-breathable (stuffy) |
| Ordinary TPU for 90°C industrial wash | PES film | Ordinary TPU does not resist 90°C long-term washing |
requently Asked Questions
Q1: How to quickly determine if an adhesive film is suitable for my fabric?
Three-step method: ① Is the fabric elastic? → Yes choose TPU/TPE, No can choose PA/PES; ② Is breathability required? → Yes choose web or textured film, No choose solid film; ③ Is the fabric light-colored/transparent? → Yes choose TPU/TPE ultra-clear seamless.
Q2: Which adhesive film can bond PP/PE plastics?
Ordinary TPU will not adhere. You must use PO/EAA film, or treat the PP/PE surface with corona/plasma and then use TPU. We recommend directly using PO/EAA film, which is specially designed for low-surface-energy plastics.
Q3: Why does whitening/haze occur after lamination?
90% of cases are due to insufficient lamination temperature – the film did not fully melt. Increase the temperature to the upper end of the recommended melting range (e.g., for TPU from 110°C to 120°C) and appropriately extend the hold time.
Q4: What is the difference between TPU and TPE? How to choose?
TPU offers balanced elasticity and support, higher strength – suitable for sportswear, braces, footwear. TPE offers ultra-soft zero-resistance elasticity, faster recovery, softer and more supple feel – suitable for yoga wear, underwear, baby garments.
Q5: Do the adhesive films have environmental certifications?
Vomelt’s entire product range complies with REACH, RoHS, and OEKO-TEX Standard 100 requirements – formaldehyde-free, solvent-free, heavy-metal-free. Test reports are available.
Technical Support & Custom Solutions
Vomelt – Hot Melt Bonding Solution Expert, providing precise, reliable, and environmentally friendly composite bonding solutions for every product. Contact us for sample testing or custom formulations.
Technical Email
vomeltsales@163.com
Service Hotline
+86 17712662793
Factory & R&D Center
No. 36 Zhonglu Development Zone, Pingwang Town, Wujiang District, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province