Dual-phase Stein-Hall corn starch adhesive systems engineering instant green tack and high flat-crush bond strength on single facer and double backer corrugating lines.
Stein-Hall corrugating adhesive combines cooked native corn starch carrier with ungelatinised raw starch slurry, caustic soda, and borax to achieve a 58°C-62°C gel point, generating instantaneous green tack and high-strength fiber-tear bonding on high-speed paperboard lines.
Corrugated paperboard adhesive formulation is the preparation of high-speed starch pastes that bond fluted medium to linerboard in box manufacturing.
Key Facts
Primary Use Cases
In modern corrugated carton plants, starch adhesive is prepared using automated high-shear mixing systems following the two-stage Stein-Hall architecture:
Primary water is metered into the upper mixer vat, heated to 45°C - 50°C, and charged with 15% to 20% of the total native corn starch charge. Sodium Hydroxide Flakes 99% (caustic soda) are added, and high-shear agitation cooks the starch completely into a clear, viscous, alkaline gel. The carrier functions as a rheological medium that suspends ungelatinised raw starch without settling.
Ambient secondary water is introduced to quench the temperature, followed by the remaining 80% to 85% raw native corn starch charge. Technical Borax Decahydrate (or pentahydrate) is added. Borate ions form reversible cross-links with starch hydroxyl groups, dramatically boosting adhesive tack, water-holding capacity, and viscosity body.
The finished adhesive is pumped into the single facer and double backer glue pans at 24% to 28% total solids. Glue applicator rolls apply an ultra-thin adhesive film (0.15 mm to 0.25 mm) onto flute tips. When the fluted paperboard contacts the heated linerboard (160°C to 180°C steam pressure), the raw starch granules absorb residual water and swell instantaneously within 0.1 seconds, forming an impenetrable cross-linked cellulose bond.
KIKI'S Industrial Chemicals supplies the complete integrated chemical package: Native Corn Starch 98% Min, Caustic Soda Flakes 99%, and Technical Borax Decahydrate.
Primary Carrier Preparation
Cook 15-20% native corn starch with water and caustic soda at 50°C to create a stable high-viscosity carrier gel.
Secondary Slurry and Borax Dosing
Quench with ambient water, blend in 80-85% raw corn starch and technical borax to establish targeted gel point (58°C-62°C).
Quality Control Rheology Testing
Verify viscosity using a Stein-Hall cup (target 35-50 seconds at 38°C) and check gel point before releasing to storage vats.
Single Facer & Double Backer Bonding
Apply 0.18 mm film onto flute tips; thermal expansion forms immediate green bond across paperboard liners.
Showing 1–1 of 1 catalogued products
Industrial-grade and food-compatible Native Corn Starch (CAS 9005-25-8) supplied in 25 kg multi-wall bags by KIKI'S…
CAS 9005-25-8 · Industrial Grade · Powder
Enables maximum corrugator line speeds without delamination or blister defects.
Provides deep fiber tear and high Edge Crush Test (ECT) ratings, ideal for horticultural produce export cartons.
High solids formulation reduces water loading, eliminating moisture curl and speeding up conversion into finished boxes.
COMMERCIAL & TECHNICAL GUIDANCE
Technical and process guidance for corrugated box & paperboard adhesive formulation in Kenya and East Africa.
The optimal gel point is 58°C to 62°C. This prevents premature thickening in storage tanks while guaranteeing instantaneous swell on hot single facer rolls.