1 Introduction
In the production process of engineered flooring, the gluing and pressing process is one of the most important steps, which aims to fix the multi-layer plywood and wood veneer or lamella together to form a complete flooring structure.
Cold pressing and hot pressing are two common methods of pressing. In the cold pressing process, the plywood and top layer bond together at room temperature. This method usually requires longer pressing time and higher pressure to ensure the bonding strength between layers. In the hot pressing process, the glue cures under high temperature and high pressure to bond the plywood and wood veneer together. This can greatly shorten the production time and improve the quality and stability of the flooring. The hot temperature can also help activate chemical reactions in the adhesive, enhancing the bonding strength between layers.
Overall, both cold pressing and hot pressing have their advantages and disadvantages. This article will provide a detailed introduction to the characteristics of them. The specific choice of yours mainly depends on the product requirements and actual situations.
2 Comparison
The main difference between hot pressing and cold pressing processes comes from the type of adhesive used. Therefore, the related equipment, process parameters, and product performance are significantly different. Below is a comparison table to help you understand the differences between the two processes.
| Hot pressing | Cold pressing | |
| Adhesive | Thermo-setting adhesive: MUF, UF | Cold-setting adhesive: MDI, EPI |
| Formaldehyde Emission | High | Low |
| temperature | 90~105℃ | Room temperature |
| time | Approximately 10mins | Approximately 50mins |
| pressure | 0.8~1.2MPa | 1.0~1.2MPa |
| Production Efficiency | High | Low |
| Bonding Quality | Good | Good |
| Plank Quality | More likely to get cracked or warped, high demand on the hot platens smoothness. | Good evenness, less likely to deform |
3 Pros and Cons
3.1 Advantages of hot pressing
3.2 Disadvantages of hot pressing
Multi-layer hot pressing machine
3.3 Advantages of cold pressing
3.4 Disadvantages of cold pressing
Cold-pressing machine
4 Guolian Choice
Recognized as an environmentally responsible company, we prioritize using low formaldehyde emission adhesives. In our factory, we utilize the cold press method to ensure the safety of both our customers and employees. We regularly inspect bonding strength and plank quality after gluing and pressing to ensure that each piece meets our high standards.
