referenceguide

Reference Guide for Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive Tapes

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referenceguide
Table of Contents

Tapeology 1-5

What is a pressure-sensitive tape? 1

Tapeology
What are the different components of a tape? 1

How is pressure-sensitive tape manufactured? 2

How is tape applied? 2-3

How should application surfaces be prepared? 3

How should tesa products be stored? 3

What are the common tests/properties 45

of pressure-sensitive tapes?

Glossary
Glossary of Technical Terms 6-7

Features Relating to Backing 6

Features Relating to Adhesive 7

General Terms 7

Guidelines
Guidelines for Success 8

Choosing the Right Tape for the Job 8

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 REFERENCE GUIDE 1

referenceguide
Tapeology: An Introduction to Pressure-Sensitive Tape

What is a pressure-sensitive tape?

A pressure-sensitive tape is comprised of a backing coated with an adhesive on one or both sides. In the
case of a double-sided tape, a release liner is utilized to prevent the roll of tape from adhering to itself.

Tapeology
Single-Sided Double-Sided

What are the different components of a tape?

BACKING: A backing (or carrier) is a thin, flexible material that can be coated with adhesive. It can be made
of paper, fabric, film, foam, foil, non-woven material or laminate.

ADHESIVE: Typical adhesive types are natural or synthetic rubber, acrylic, and silicones.

PRIMER: A primer is used to increase the bond of the adhesive to the backing. The use of a primer assists
in keeping the adhesive on the backing when a tape is removed.

RELEASE LINER: A liner is typically used for double-sided tapes, but is sometimes found on single-sided
tapes as well. Siliconized paper is the main type of release liner. Siliconized film is also used in applications
requiring greater flexibility and high tensile strength.

RELEASE COATING: A release coating is applied to the backing and allows the tape to unwind from the roll.
Without a release coating, the tape would adhere to its own backing, and would not unwind.

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 REFERENCE GUIDE 2

Tapeology: An Introduction to Pressure-Sensitive Tape

How is pressure-sensitive tape manufactured?

Single-Sided Tape Process

Uncoated Release Coat Adhesive Master Roll

Tapeology
Backing Dried Adhesive Dried and Cured of Tape
Applied

Release Coat
Applied

Master Roll
of Tape
Tape Silt Silt Rolls
of Tape

How is tape applied?

Like the name says, pressure-sensitive tapes require pressure to Application

ensure bonding. Bonding should take place at a moderate temperature
(68-72 degrees F, 20-22 degrees C). To ensure maximum initial adhesion,
even pressure should be applied. For acrylic tapes, maximum adhesion
is typically achieved only after 72 hours minimum of dwell time. In most
cases, heat, water, solvents or any other pre-treatment methods are not
necessary. Many tapes, like some tesa fastening tapes, continue to build
adhesion beyond 72 hours and reach maximum adhesion after seven to
15 days, due to the high level of adhesive cross-linking.

BONDING TO LOW SURFACE ENERGY (LSE) OR HARD-TO-STICK-TO SURFACES: Teflon, silicones, and
dielectric materials (e.g. polyethylene and polypropylene) are difficult to bond. You can increase adhesive
strength by pre-treating the surface with a method specifically suited to the material in question. As an
example, polyethylene or polypropylene can be pre-treated via corona or adhesion promoters.

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 REFERENCE GUIDE 3

Tapeology: An Introduction to Pressure-Sensitive Tape

BONDING TO HIGH SURFACE ENERGY OR EASY-TO-STICK-TO SURFACES: In general, these surfaces bond
well. However, in isolated instances, additives (e.g., plasticizers) can migrate to the surface and interact with
the adhesive. For this reason, it is recommended that a compatibility test be done (especially when the tape
is intended to be removed or it is applied to flexible PVC).

Tapeology
BONDING TO METAL SURFACES: To ensure that a chemical reaction does not occur, a check should first be
made on non-ferrous metals (i.e., lead, cadmium, copper, brass, nickel). Such a chemical reaction could alter
the surface polarity after contact with the adhesive.

How should application surfaces be prepared?

To guarantee optimum adhesion, surfaces must be clean, dry, grease-free, oil-free and lint-free. Substances
such as dust, grease and wax must be removed before bonding. Typical cleaners include but are not limited to
alcohol (IPA), esters (e.g., ethyl acetate or acetone), and naptha-based products.

How should tesa products be stored?

For pressure-sensitive tapes to retain their properties while in storage, the following conditions should be
complied with:

68-72 degrees F, 20-22 degrees C

50% relative humidity
Rolls stored flat in their original packaging and away from direct sources of UV (i.e., lights, sun)
Logs and spooled rolls should be stored to prevent distortion

Unless otherwise indicated on packaging, products are guaranteed for 12 months under the above-mentioned
conditions.

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 REFERENCE GUIDE 4

Tapeology: An Introduction to Pressure-Sensitive Tape

What are the common tests/properties of pressure-sensitive tapes?

ADHESION: Adhesion is the strength of the bond between a tape and the application surface. To measure
adhesion, tape is applied to a stainless steel panel. The tape is then removed. The force required to remove
(or peel) the tape determines its adhesion level. The force is measured in ounces per one inch of tape.

Tapeology
90 Peel 180 Peel

To measure the adhesion of masking and packaging tapes, tesa utilizes the 180-degree peel method
(PSTC 3 and PSTC 1). For fastening tapes, in addition to the 180-degree peel, tesa strongly recommends the
90-degree peel method, which is the best measurement of peel adhesion to diverse substrates.

Peel adhesion is not a perfect correlation to the strength of the adhesive bond. Why? Because the test
measures the initial bond, and many tapes have adhesives that build bond strength over time. Also, the
test utilizes stainless steel as the surface for which the tape is applied. Typically, tape is not applied to stain-
less steel in real-life applications. However, the test is a good indicator of relative adhesion strength from
one tape to another.

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 REFERENCE GUIDE 5

Tapeology: An Introduction to Pressure-Sensitive Tape

Poor Cohesion

COHESION: Cohesion is the internal strength of an adhesive. Cohesive

failure can be observed when removing an applied tape and finding

Tapeology
adhesive residue on both the tape backing and the applied surface.
This would indicate that the adhesive has poor internal strength, or
poor cohesion.

SHEAR: Shear is the ability of an

Shear Shear
adhesive to resist creep or slippage.
This property is measured by
adhering a one-inch piece of tape
to a stainless steel panel, then
hanging a weight on one end of
the tape. Shear is expressed in
units of time prior to the tape
slipping from the steel panel.
Good shear properties are especially important for applications like splicing where the tape is used for hold-
ing two substrates together, with force being applied in opposite directions.

Tensile Strength
TENSILE STRENGTH: Tensile strength is the force (or load) required to
break a tape. This property is measured by taking a one-inch-wide piece
of tape, grabbing it at both ends, and then pulling in opposite directions
until the tape breaks. Tensile strength is measured in pounds per one
inch of tape.

ELONGATION: Elongation is the percent in which a tape can be

stretched just before breaking. This property is measured using the
same method for measuring tensile strength.
Elongation
THICKNESS: The thickness of a tape is the distance between the two
opposite surfaces of the whole tape. Thickness is expressed in mils, or
thousandths of an inch.

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 REFERENCE GUIDE 6

referenceguide
Glossary of Technical Terms

Features Relating to Backing

TENSILE STRENGTH: The load, or force, at which an adhesive tape breaks. Especially important for tapes used
in baling and bundling.

CONFORMABILITY: Ability of tape to remain in full contact with the surface of an irregularly-shaped object
without puckering or creasing.

ELASTIC MEMORY: Tendency of some tapes backing to revert to its original length after becoming elongated.

ELONGATION AT BREAK: Increase in length of tape that is subject to a force which causes it to break.
(Expressed as a percentage of the initial length.)

FLAME RETARDANT: (also, Self-Extinguishing, Fire-Resistant) Ability of tape to withstand exposure to a flame.
Flame-retardant materials burn in direct contact with a flame, but combustion is not maintained when the
flame is withdrawn. Non-flammable materials do not burn even when in contact with a flame.

Glossary
FLEXIBILITY: Ability of a tape to be conformable or pliable during application. (Particularly affects low-temper-
ature uses.)

IMPACT RESISTANCE: Ability of an adhesive tape to withstand sudden shocks and loads. (Especially important
for tapes used in packaging.)

MOISTURE ABSORPTION: Measures the quantity of moisture absorbed and retained by a tape under specified
conditions.

PRINTABILITY: Ability to accept printing inks and then maintain graphic presentation after winding and
application.

WATER VAPOR TRANSMISSION RATE: Weight of water vapor passing through a defined tape surface under
defined conditions of humidity, temperature and time.

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 REFERENCE GUIDE 7

Glossary of Technical Terms

Features Relating to Adhesive

ADHESION: Strength of the bond of a tape to a surface.

COHESION: Internal strength of the adhesive.

CROSS-LINKING: Development of a three-dimensional structure within an adhesive in order to improve

bond strength and resistance to temperature, oil or solvents.

DELAMINATION: A separation of the backing and the adhesive into distinct layers (also referred to as
adhesive transfer).

SHEAR: The ability of an adhesive to resist creep or slippage.

WET GRAB / TACK / QUICK STICK: Ability of a tape to create an immediate bond, with a measurable strength,
during the contact of the adhesive with the substrate, without applying external pressure.

Glossary
General Terms

HEAT RESISTANCE: Ability of a tape to withstand a given temperature under specific conditions.

PRIMER: A coating used to enhance the bond of an adhesive to a backing.

RELEASE COATING: A coating applied to the outer surface of a backing, which will enable a tape to unwind
from the roll.

RELEASE LINER: A paper or plastic material, typically having a silicone coating on one side, which is used to al-
low a tape to unwind from a roll (typically used for double-sided tapes and transfer adhesives).

RESISTANCE TO WEATHERING, OILS, GREASE, SOLVENTS, ACIDS, BASES, ETC.: Ability of a tape, once applied,
to remain effective under such conditions.

THICKNESS: Distance between the two opposite surfaces of the whole tape.

TRANSFER ADHESIVE / TRANSFER TAPE: A layer of adhesive, without a backing, coated onto a release liner so
that it can be unwound (sometimes the adhesive has a reinforcing material to enhance strength and handling).

MOPP: Monoaxially-oriented polypropylene

BOPP: Biaxially-oriented polypropylene

EB: Cured electron beam curing

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 REFERENCE GUIDE 8

referenceguide
Guidelines for Success

Choosing the Right Tape for the Job

In choosing the right tape for the job, follow these guidelines
to increase the likelihood of success: [fasten]+[ing]

Determine the type of materials masking

Will the tape be placed on metal? Plastic? Cardboard? Other?

packaging
Determine the surface condition
Will the surface of this material be smooth or rough?

Determine the adhesive duration requirements

Does the application require a permanent or temporary bond? If temporary, must the tape remove cleanly
(e.g., for masking, surface protection or temporary holding)?

Determine the environmental conditions

Will the tape be subjected to extreme temperatures? Humidity or moisture? Chemical substances? UV light?

Determine the application conditions

How much stress is the adhesive expected to take, and in what direction is the stress expected to be applied?
Does the tape need to be flexible? Would a certain thickness be more appropriate than another? How will
the tape be applied? By hand? By machine?

Determine additional needs

Does the application require a colored backing? Are there specifications that the tape must comply with
(e.g., military or ASTM)?

Guidelines
tesa tape, inc.11-2015

United States & Canada Mxico

tesa tape, inc. tesa tape Mxico, S.A. de R.L. de C.V.
5825 Carnegie Boulevard Charlotte, NC 28209 Av. Santa Fe No. 170 German Centre P 7-4-14
Phone: 1-800-426-2181 Fax: 1-800-852-8831 Col. Lomas de Santa Fe Mexico D.F. C.P. 01210
Email: [email protected] Phone: +52 (55) 5292 6978 Fax: +52 (55) 2282 7580

Web Site: www.tesatape.com Email: [email protected]

ISO 9001:2008 Certified ISO/TS 16949:2009 Certified ISO 14001:2004 Certified + Cor 1:2009 Certified great to work with