Starch-based adhesives have been extensively employed for various adhesive applications, especially in the area of paperboard and corrugated board. Generally, starch-based adhesives for corrugation are formulated from cooked or gelatinized starch and raw starch particles. The cooked starch increases viscosity and serves as a suspending agent for the raw starch particle. Heating the starch mixture results in gelation of the uncooked starch yielding higher viscosity and improved bonding characteristics.
A major consideration in the preparation of starch-based adhesives is the ultimate adhesive strength. One measurement of adhesive strength is pin strength. Pin strength is the force (measured in pounds) required to delaminate a liner board from the medium in a corrrugated board construction.
A further consideration with respect to pin strength is more particularly wet-pin strength. Wet-pin strength is the pin strength of a corrugated board construction after having been soaked in water. Where wet strength is important it is necessary for adhesives to have excellent adhesion under high humidity and wet conditions. It is also important that this excellent water-resistance be achieved under minimal cure conditions. Conventional starch-based adhesives generally have poor water-resistance, therefore it is desirable to prepare an adhesive for paperboard and corrugated board having improved water-resistance.