Pressure sensitive adhesives are one of the most common types of tape used by designers and engineers because of their ease of use and their suitability for a variety of applications. What exactly is it about? Let’s talk about it!
What are Pressure Sensitive Adhesives ?
Where other adhesives might require heat or some sort of solvent to effectively bond two materials, pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs), as the name suggests, simply require pressure. A pressure sensitive adhesive is usually made from non-crosslinked rubber adhesives, polyurethanes and acrylics. Although a pressure sensitive adhesive can form a strong bond, it can also be easily peeled off without damaging the surface. PSAs can adhere firmly to almost any type of surface, such as wood, paper and plastic.
What are the most common types of adhesives used in pressure sensitive adhesives ?
The strength of these tapes lies in the nature of the adhesives used in their manufacture, which is very diverse. Here is a brief overview of the different types of high-strength adhesives and why they provide very good bonding results.
Silicone
Silicone is a common adhesive used in the manufacture of pressure sensitive tapes. For these types in particular, it is strongly recommended that they be used on silicon substrates. Silicone pressure sensitive adhesive tape are relatively expensive and have a relatively low tack at the beginning of the process, but they can withstand higher temperatures than acrylic and rubber based adhesives. Pressure Sensitive Adhesives (PSA) are physically curing systems characterised by permanent adhesion. Bonding is achieved by applying pressure to the adhesive layer – the greater the pressure applied, the better the adhesion.
Pressure sensitive adhesives are frequently used for coating due to their permanent adhesion, which allows substrates to be joined both before and after the application of the adhesive. Thus, bonding can take place independently of the adhesive application at a different location and at a different time.
Pressure Sensitive Adhesivesare characterised by optimal adhesion to different materials and high strength with high flexibility. Modern adhesives work with exceptional initial strength and stable viscosity during the process.
Rubber
Adhesives that use synthetic or natural rubber are based on antioxidant tackifying resins and oils. Rubber tapes are among the most cost-effective pressure-sensitive tapes and are known to provide a fast bond. However, they are never recommended for surfaces exposed to high temperatures.
Acrylic
Pressure sensitive tapes made from acrylic polymers are known to provide better longevity of treated surfaces and also provide better resistance to environmental conditions and a variety of solvent types. Acrylic-based adhesives are also known for their high bonding power compared to traditional rubber-based adhesives and they also have a proven adaptability to withstand higher temperatures without any damage.
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In conclusion, whatever type of adhesive is used, there are a number of things to consider when choosing tapes to achieve the best results. These include the substrate to which the adhesive will be bonded, the conditions to which the tape will be exposed, the application process and the life of the substrate on which the tape is applied.
