Air Filters

Air filters need the filter media (usually pleated paper or fabric) bonded to the plastic or metal frame. The seal needs to be complete – any gaps mean unfiltered air bypassing the media. At the same time, you can’t restrict airflow with excess adhesive.

Automotive filters (cabin air, engine air) face pressure, vibration, and temperature changes. The bond needs to hold under those conditions without the filter collapsing or the seal failing. Jelly glues and hotmelts both work, depending on the specific application.

Pleating the filter media creates hundreds of sealing points where each pleat contacts the frame. Adhesive application methods include bead dispensing, spray application, or dipping. HEPA filters for medical and cleanroom applications need formulations that don’t outgas particles or chemicals. Filter efficiency ratings depend partly on proper sealing – even microscopic gaps reduce effectiveness dramatically.