a comprehensive guide to adhesive tape properties and ...

1 A comprehensive guide to adhesive tape properties and selection Table of Contents Pressure Sensitive Tape Basics 3. - The 5 Factors of Adhesion 6. The Big 3: Components, Formats, and Adhesives 15. Choosing the Right adhesive 20. Matching Tape and Application: Questions to Ask 25. Categories & Functions of adhesive Tapes 27. Tape Glossary 32. Pressure Sensitive Tape Basics Page 3. What is a Pressure Sensitive Tape? The Pressure Sensitive Tape Council (PSTC) defines Pressure Sensitive Tape as a continuous flexible strip of cloth, paper, metal or plastic coated on one or both sides with a permanently tacky adhesive at room temperature which will adhere to a variety of surfaces with light pressure (finger pressure) with no phase change (liquid to solid) and usually on a roll.

2 The key point that differentiates a pressure sensitive tape from other types of adhesives is that no activation by water, solvent, or heat is necessary to exert a strong adhesive force towards diverse materials such as paper, glass, wood, plastic, or metal. PRESSURE SENSITIVE ADHESIVES POLYMER VISCOELASTICITY. polymeric materials in an elastomeric a large molecule consisting of many refers to the state of having the state of matter that have significant (poly) atoms linked in a repeating, characteristics of both a liquid and a time and temperature dependencies chainlike fashion (macromolecule). solid. (viscoelasticity). They are inherently tacky and have peel and load bearing properties .

3 THE ELEMENTS OF A PRESSURE SENSITIVE adhesive . Adhesion Cohesion Pressure sensitive adhesives function as a result of three separate properties : substrate substrate Adhesion, Cohesion, and Tack. bonding strength of inner strength of These three properties balance one adhesive to substrate the adhesive Tack another, meaning that it is impossible to have a tape with 100% of each. immediate grip of adhesive to substrate Page 4. The Science of Adhesion Adhesion science is a multidisciplinary science pulling elements from Physics, Chemistry, and mechanics . The Physics of adhesion science involve SURFACE ENERGY, also called POLARITY, and the WET-OUT of adhesives to the surface to which they are applied.

4 The mechanics of adhesion science involve Surface Roughness and Rheological Theory, or the flow of matter under an applied stress. The Chemistry of adhesion science involves the understanding and properties of several important polymers, including Polyester, Polypropylene, Polyethylene, Polyurethane, and more. It also involves several copolymers and compounds, including Natural Rubber, Styrene Butadiene, Butyl Rubber, Silicones, and Acrylics. SURFACE TENSION AND WETTABILITY. Adh. adhesive > Substrate Adh. adhesive = Substrate adhesive < Substrate Adh. Page 5. The 5 Factors of Adhesion Page 6. TAPES - The 5 Factors of Adhesion Pressure The amount of force used to adhere the tape adhesive Environment Any material that will usefully hold two or All conditions of the substrate and the more objects together solely by intimate surrounding environmental impacts on the surface contact adhesive bond Time Substrate The amount of time the adhesive is allowed The surface with which the adhesive will be to dwell on the surface before effective forces in direct contact are applied Page 7.

5 TIME. All In The Timing Full bond strength between the adhe- sive and substrate can take up to 72. hours. The strength of the bond builds gradu- 15-150%. Increase in bond strength during ally over time and varies based on the first few days of application tape you are using RUBBER adhesive bonds grow quickly, but ACRYLIC ADHESION may take up to 72 hours to reach full strength. A very general rule is 50% total adhesion in 20. minutes, 80% within 24 hours, and 100%. within 72 hours. Page 8. adhesive . FACTORS: Type of adhesive , Coating Weight, Hardness of adhesive soft Adhesives HARD Adhesives Low Cohesion (Inner Strength) High Cohesion (Inner Strength). Flows easily on irregular surfaces Lower tack (less flow on rough surfaces).

6 Limited temperature resistance Higher temperature resistance adhesive tears easily under parallel stress Higher final bond, better resistance to parallel stress Lower final Bond Lower initial adhesion requires higher pressure or temperature PSAs behave like liquids and solids at the THE ELEMENTS OF A PRESSURE SENSITIVE adhesive same time - they are viscoelastic Adhesion Cohesion High Coat Weight = Better flow on uneven surfaces Low Coat Weight = Good flow on smooth surfaces substrate substrate bonding strength of inner strength of adhesive to substrate the adhesive LIQUID ADHESIVES. Tack Liquid adhesives allow for fast wetting to create molecular contact. They can set in one of three immediate grip of adhesive to substrate ways: evaporation of a solvent, curing/cooling, or chemical cross-linking Page 9.

7 adhesive - ADHESION. The most important element in determining ADHESION IS: the proper adhesive for your application is the Adhesion of the adhesive - or how well Attraction between adhesive and substrate it will stick to the exact surface to which you will be applying the tape. Most important parameter in every application Every tape has a different adhesion Usually increases during the first few days depending on the substrate, and it is most important to keep this in mind when Must not be confused with tack choosing at tape! adhesive - COHESION. When considering the delicate balance for the effectiveness of a PSA, a major element is an adhesive 's cohesive factors.

8 Cohesion refers to the inner strength of the adhesive , and directly helps create and influence surface energy, both for the adhesive itself, and how it interacts with the substrate to which it's being applied. Some key points to keep in mind about cohesion: Relevant for forces parallel to the bonding area High cohesion goes together with substrate Higher temperature resistance Lower tack Higher holding power substrate Page 10. adhesive - TACK. Tack is the property of a pressure sensitive adhesive that allows it to adhere to a surface under very slight pressure. It is determined by the ability of the adhesives to quickly wet the surface it contacts. When measuring tack, the bond formation is recorded after less than one second at low pressure, and debonded in less than seconds.

9 These are adhesion tests, and are generally measured in one of two ways: Rolling ball tack is measured when a stainless steel ball is released onto a strip of tape at a 30 angle. The distance the ball travels is measured, generally in inches or centimeters. Loop tack is where a piece of tape is looped, adhesive side out, and quickly dipped onto a substrate and removed. This is generally measured in oz/in. Page 11. PRESSURE. FACTORS: Application Weight Pressure Sensitive Adhesives got their Wet-Out: The condition of being completely name because they will not form a covered, and filled, with a resin - devoid of air full bond unless pressure is applied to bubbles or other occlusions preventing the fully wet-out the adhesive on the adhesive to fully bond with the substrate.

10 Substrate. The more pressure that is applied during application of the tape, the better the bond. Ideal adhesion will RULE OF THUMB. have 100% wet-out, but many Most pressure sensitive adhesives take around 15lbs of pressure sensitive adhesives pressure to achieve a strong bond. You can achieve this achieve high bond strength by applying heavy pressure with your thumb along the with as little as 70% wet-out. length or by using a J-Roller or other pressure system. Page 12. ENVIRONMENT. FACTORS: Air, Light, Humidity, Temperature and their Interactions The environment is a major factor when it comes to adhesion. All adhesive and backing combinations respond differently to the same environmental conditions.