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 71878, Flexible Diamond Hand File 6210J, Yellow 18, N40, NO 1, 7000082156, 10 per case
3M™ 72787, Calibration Kit 529-04-48, Large, 7000052154, 1 EA/Case
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
3M 22392, Roloc Disc 361F, 24 YF-weight, TR, 3 in, Die R300V, 7000045090
Dynabrade 51700 .1 hp Straight-Line Pencil Grinder, Rear Exhaust, 60,000 RPM, 1/8" Collet
Dynabrade 51706 .1 hp Straight-Line Pencil Grinder, Rear Exhaust, 35,000 RPM, 1/8" Collet
Dynabrade 51705 .1 hp Straight-Line Pencil Grinder, Rear Exhaust, 50,000 RPM, 3/32" Collet
3M 71358, 641WY 1/4" X 24", 600 Mesh Diamond Cloth Belt, 7010534894
Dynabrade 10690 Filter/Regulator/Lubricator, FRL40, 1/2" NPTAssy.
Standard Abrasives 547003, Adapter, 5/8"-11 Male x 3/8"-24 Female, 7010368726
3M 08878, Scotch-Brite Cut and Polish Unitized Wheel, CP-UW, 5A Fine, 3 in x 1/2 in x 3/8 in, 7010329078
Dynabrade 51623 .1 hp Straight-Line Extension Pencil Grinder, Central Vacuum, 1/8" Collet
Dynabrade 51750 .1 hp Straight-Line Extension Pencil Grinder, Rear Exhaust, 60,000 RPM, 1/8" Collet
Standard Abrasives 715081, A/O Straight Cartridge Roll, 5/8 in x 2 in x 3/16 in 60, 7100102991
Dynabrade 95848 Dynabrade Gear Oil
Dynabrade 60051 .1 hp Straight-Line Quick-Change Pencil Grinder, Rear Exhaust, 60,000 RPM, 1/8" Collet
3M 05777, Hookit Soft Interface Pad, 6 x 1/2 x 3/4 inch, 7000028239
Dynabrade 51630 .1 hp Straight-Line Extension Pencil Grinder, Central Vacuum, 1/8" Collet
Standard Abrasives 882173, A/O Unitized Wheel, 821, 6 in x 1/4 in x 1/2 in, 7010330323
3M 21543, Scotch-Brite Roloc Clean and Strip XT Pro Extra Cut Disc, TR, 2 in x NH, A XCS, 7100179815, 60/box
Standard Abrasives 717639, Aluminum Oxide Straight Cartridge Roll, 5/8 in x 2 in x 3/16 in 50, 7100115215
Dynabrade 11475 Dynabelter Abrasive Belt Tool, Standard Duty
3M 81729, Disc Pad Face Plate Ribbed, 9 in Hard Black, 7000148244
3M™ 72016, Remote Alarm & Strobe 529-05-20, Audible, 7000131708, 1 EA/Case
3M 19706, Scotch-Brite EXL Unitized Wheel, XL-UW, 2S Fine, 6 in x 1/4 in x 1 in, SPR 17773A, 7010366223
3M 40776, Scotch-Weld Epoxy Potting Compound DP270, Clear, 200 mL Duo-Pak, 7100228179, 12/Case
Dynabrade 51740 .1 hp Straight-Line Pencil Grinder, Rear Exhaust, 60,000 RPM, 1/8" Collet, with Mount Stem
3M 22408, Roloc Disc 361F, P100 YF-weight, TR, 1-1/2 in, Die R150S, 7000045101
ACS Diamond Cloth Belt, CX1250 1/2" X 18" 125U
Dynabrade 53270 7" (180 mm) Dia. Right-Angle Disc Sander
3M 08302, Ultrapro Autobody Sealant, Clear, 5 oz Tube, 7000120449, 6 per case
3M 08029, Marine Grade Silicone Sealant, Clear, 304 mL Cartridge, 7000120477, 12/Case
3M 14895, Cloth Belt 777F, 80 YF-weight, 1 in x 42 in, Film-lok, Single-flex, 7010299926, 200 per case
Standard Abrasives 840032, Quick Change Surface Conditioning FE Disc, A/O Medium, TSM, Maroon, 3/4 in, QS75KM, 7000046846, 50/case
3M 14559, Roloc Disc 361F, P150 XF-weight, TR, 2 in, Die R200P, 7000119021
3M™ 94275, Versaflo™ Gold Coated Tinted Over-Visor with UV/IR Protection M-967N, 70071696879, 1 EA/Case
Dynabrade 78293 3" Dia. x 2S Fine, Type R Unitized Locking-Type Disc, 25/pack
3M 05182, Scotch-Brite Cut and Polish Wheel, CP-WL, 5A Fine, 6 in x 1/2 in x 1 in, 7100050403,Box of 4
3M 76975, Microfinishing PSA Film Disc 268L, 30 Mic, Type D, Green, 5 in x NH, Die 500X, 7000118196, 500 per case
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
3M 03738, Scotch-Brite Cut and Polish Unitized Wheel, CP-UW, 7A Medium, 3 in x 3/4 in x 3/8 in, 7010364917
Standard Abrasives 701149, PSA A/O Disc, 1 in x NH, 240, 7010370103
3M 33780, 641WY 1/4" X 24", 400 Mesh Diamond Cloth Belt, 7010534915
3M 87835, Scotch-Weld Epoxy Potting Compound DP270, Clear, 400 mL Duo-Pak, 7100077143,6/case
3M 22972, Disc Holder Adapter 9, 5/8-11 External M10-1.50 Internal, 7000046095 
