Open Bond Time Allows for Fit Adjustment and Positioning
3M™ Hot Melt Adhesive 3738 features a 50 second open time that allows for positioning and adjustment on wood, polypropylene, corrugated boxes and lightweight substrates. Its nearly instant bonding property reduces production time for POP assembly, joining, attaching, securing, repairing, potting, panel bonding, wire tacking, bundling, sealing, encapsulating, rigidizing, foam bonding, and packaging. For use with a 3M™ Hot Melt Applicator.
Recommended Applications
- Cabinetry
- Woodworking
- Sound damping
- Furniture manufacturing
- Upholstery
- POP displays
- General industrial
Understanding Hot Melt Adhesives
Hot melt adhesives, also known as glue sticks, are liquefied thermoplastic adhesives available in both low and high-temperature versions. Low temperature hot melt adhesives are applied at 250ºF/121ºC temperatures, which makes them ideal for bonding electronics, plastics, cloth and other heat sensitive materials. High temperature hot melt adhesives are applied at 380ºF/193ºC and produce a stronger bond than the low temperature hot melts.
Melted adhesive is extruded through a nozzle using a 3M Hot Melt Applicator by either pneumatic pressure, a mechanical trigger mechanism, or with pressure applied directly on the stick. Different nozzles can be used to apply thin, wide strips or narrow, thicker beads. Hot melt adhesive generally sets quickly, ranging from a few seconds to a few minutes, depending on the adhesive formulation.
Bringing Better Ideas to the Surface through Science and Innovation
In our 3M Industrial Adhesives and Tapes Division, we apply the science of adhesion to deliver innovative solutions that improve the design and manufacturing processes of companies around the world. In the end, our technologies help customers like you deliver competitive products to the market faster and more efficiently.

3M™ 17379, Versaflo™ Length Adjusting Breathing Tube BT-30, 7100009685, 1 EA/Case
3M 92574, Temflex Vinyl Electrical Tape 165, Purple, 3/4 in x 60 ft (19 mm x 18 m), 6 mil, 7100169434
3M 22392, Roloc Disc 361F, 24 YF-weight, TR, 3 in, Die R300V, 7000045090
3M 97967, Foam Fast Spray Adhesive 74 CA, Low VOC <25%, Clear, 24 fl oz Can (Net Wt 19.0 oz), 7100014108, 12/Case
3M 62820, Adhesive Sealant 760 UV, Gray, 600 mL Sausage Pack, 7000046611, 12/Case
3M 33349, 641WY 1/4" X 24", 220 Mesh Diamond Cloth Belt, 7010534919
Dynabrade 53270 7" (180 mm) Dia. Right-Angle Disc Sander
3M™ 07010, Supplied Air Respirator Hose W-9435-25/07010(AAD), 25 ft, 3/8 in ID, Industrial Interchange Fittings, High Pressure, 7000005374, 1 EA/Case
Dynabrade 14000 Dynafile Abrasive Belt Tool
3M 77197, Scotch-Brite™ Roloc™ Deburr and Finish PRO Unitized Wheel,TR, 3 in x 1/8 in x NH, 8C CRS+, 7100109130, 40/box
Dynabrade 79448 6" x 9" DynaBrite General Purpose Maroon Hand Pad, 20/box
Standard Abrasives 37446, PSA A/O Disc, 700595, 1-1/2 in x NH, 60, 7010331822
ACS Diamond Cloth Belt, CX1250 3" X 30" 45U
3M 87449 Silver Depressed Center Grinding Wheel, T27 Quick Change, 9 in x 1/4 in x 5/8-11 Center Hub Thread, 7010409732, 20 per case
Dynabrade 79447 6" x 9" DynaBrite General Purpose Maroon Hand Pad, 60/Box
3M 26017, PPS Series 2.0 Adapter, Type S10, 1/4 Female, R-Angle 19
Thread BSP for Side Cup Mount, 7100135927
3M™ 37018, Supplied Air Respirator Vortex Cooling Assembly V-100/37018(AAD), 70070799013, 1 EA/Case
Standard Abrasives 840031, Quick Change Surface Conditioning FE Disc, A/O Coarse, TSM, Brown, 3/4 in, QS75KM, 7000046845, 50/case
3M 94717, Cubitron ll Cloth Belt 947A, 80+ X-weight, 1 in x 30 in, Fabri-lok, Single-flex, 7010294445, 200 per case
3M 36879, Self-Stick Liquid Protection Fabric, Blue, 28 in x 300 ft, 7100169496
3M 45120, Cartridge RoII Mandrel, 3/32 in x 3/4 in x 1/4 in, 7010328349
3M 88904, PSA Cloth Disc 348D, 50 X-weight, 12 in x NH, Die 1200B, 7000118897 
