Thermomechanical analysis and performance tests of some EPI wood adhesives

Poly (vinyl acetate)‐based emulsion polymer/isocyanates (EPI) structural wood adhesives were prepared and their performance benchmark tested according to the specifications of the Japanese JAS‐111 standard. The changes of the glass transition temperature of the cured emulsions relative to unmodified poly(vinyl acetate) emulsion, measured using differential scanning calorimetry, indicated the chemical structure changes resulting from modification of poly(vinyl acetate) emulsion. The EPI adhesives showed excellent water resistance and near‐colourless gluelines in wood joints, ease of application and additional significant advantages over other types of wood adhesives. The performance test results are interpreted on the basis of the viscoelastic behaviour of free‐standing adhesive films. Other types of crosslinkers were used in the study to compare with the isocyanate hardeners.