Pressure-sensitive tape

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Two rolls of adhesive tape Sticky tape.jpg
Two rolls of adhesive tape

Pressure-sensitive tape or pressure-sensitive adhesive tape (PSA tape) is an adhesive tape that will stick with application of pressure, without the need for a solvent (such as water) or heat for activation. It is known also in various countries as self-stick tape, sticky tape, or just adhesive tape and tape, as well as genericized trademarks, such as Sellotape , Durex (tape) , Scotch tape , etc.

Contents

PSA tape consists of three components:

It will stick without the need for a solvent such as water or heat for activation. By contrast, "gummed" or "water activated" adhesive tapes require warm water for activation and "heat activated" tapes require heat.

Single-sided tapes allow bonding to a surface or joining of two adjacent or overlapping materials. Double-sided tape (adhesive on both sides) allows joining of two items back-to-back.

Varieties of PSA tape

1945 advertisement for cellulose tape Courage, Sister ... Scotch Tape will fix it, 1945.jpg
1945 advertisement for cellulose tape

Tape glossary

PSA tape standards

The PSA industry is in the process of unifying the several standards presently in use. The most active organizations are:

ASTM International has dozens of standards related to pressure-sensitive tape. Some of them are for general types of PSA tape; others are for specific types. For example, ASTM D1000 has test methods for electrical tapes. There are ASTM specifications for many tapes including D2301 for vinyl electrical tape, D5486 for box-sealing tape, etc. Several of the ASTM test methods are coordinated with PSTC, other trade associations, and other international organizations.

Following are a few examples of some ASTM standards and counterparts:

ASTM designationISO designationPSTC methodAFERA method
D3121 Standard test method for tack of pressure-sensitive adhesives by rolling ballPSTC-6
D3330 Standard Test Method for Peel Adhesion of Pressure-Sensitive TapeEN 1939PSTC-101AFERA 5001
D3654 Standard Test Methods for Shear Adhesion of Pressure-Sensitive TapesEN 1943PSTC-107AFERA 5012
D3759 Standard Test Method for Breaking Strength and Elongation of Pressure-Sensitive TapesEN 14410PSTC-131AFERA 5004
D3811 Standard test method for unwind force of pressure-sensitive tapesPSTC-8
D5750 Standard Guide for Width and Length of Pressure-Sensitive TapePSTC-71

Environmental considerations

Life cycle assessments of the tape and the item being taped are useful to identify and improve possible environmental effects. For example, there may be instances where the use of a PSA tape, compared to an alternative solution, improves the overall environmental impact, or vice versa. [2]

Reuse or recycling are sometimes aided by a tape being removable from a surface. If a tape remains on an item during recycling, a tape should be chosen which does not hinder the recyclability of the item. For example, when taped corrugated boxes are recycled, film-backed box-sealing tapes do not hinder box recycling; the adhesive stays with the backing and is easily removed. [3] [4]

See also

History

Pressure-sensitive adhesives were first developed in 1845 by Dr. Horace Day, a surgeon. [5] Commercial tapes were introduced in the early twentieth century. Hundreds of patents have since been published on a wide variety of formulations and constructions.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adhesive</span> Non-metallic material used to bond various materials together

Adhesive, also known as glue, cement, mucilage, or paste, is any non-metallic substance applied to one or both surfaces of two separate items that binds them together and resists their separation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Duct tape</span> Type of adhesive tape

Duct tape is cloth- or scrim-backed pressure-sensitive tape, often coated with polyethylene. There are a variety of constructions using different backings and adhesives, and the term 'duct tape' has been genericized to refer to different cloth tapes with differing purposes. A variation is heat-resistant foil tape useful for sealing heating and cooling ducts, produced because the adhesive on standard duct tape fails and the synthetic fabric reinforcement mesh deteriorates when used on heating ducts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Corrugated fiberboard</span> Composite paper material

Corrugated fiberboard or corrugated cardboard is a type of packaging material consisting of a fluted corrugated sheet and one or two flat linerboards. It is made on "flute lamination machines" or "corrugators" and is used for making corrugated boxes. The corrugated medium sheet and the linerboard(s) are made of kraft containerboard, a paperboard material usually over 0.25 millimetres (0.01 in) thick.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sandpaper</span> Abrasive material used for smoothing softer materials

Sandpaper, also known as glasspaper or as coated abrasive, is a type of material that consists of sheets of paper or cloth with an abrasive substance glued to one face. In the modern manufacture of these products, sand and glass have been replaced by other abrasives such as aluminium oxide or silicon carbide. It is common to use the name of the abrasive when describing the paper, e.g. "aluminium oxide paper", or "silicon carbide paper".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bottle cap</span> Top for holding liquid inside a bottle

A bottle cap or bottle top is a closure for the top opening of a bottle. A cap is sometimes colorfully decorated with the logo of the brand of contents. Plastic caps are used for plastic bottles, while metal with plastic backing is used for glass; plastic caps are commonly made from polyethylene or polypropylene, while metal caps are usually either steel or aluminum. Plastic caps may have a pour spout. Flip-Top caps like Flapper closures provide controlled dispensing of dry products. Caps for plastic bottles are often made of a different type of plastic from the bottle.

Sellotape is a British brand of transparent, cellulose-based, pressure-sensitive tape, and is the leading brand in the United Kingdom. Sellotape is generally used for joining, sealing, attaching and mending.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Masking tape</span> Pressure sensitive tape made of paper

Masking tape, also known as painter's tape, is a type of pressure-sensitive tape made of a thin and easy-to-tear paper, and an easily released pressure-sensitive adhesive. It is available in a variety of widths. It is used mainly in painting, to mask off areas that should not be painted.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scotch Tape</span> American brand of pressure sensitive tapes

Scotch Tape is a brand name used for pressure-sensitive tapes developed by 3M. It was first introduced by Richard Drew, who created the initial masking tape under the Scotch brand. The invention of Scotch-brand cellulose tape expanded its applications, making it suitable for sealing packages and conducting item repairs. Over time, Scotch Tape has been utilized in various industries and households for its diverse adhesive solutions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Label</span> Material affixed to a container or article with printed information

A label is a piece of paper, plastic film, cloth, metal, or other material affixed to a container or product, on which is written or printed information or symbols about the product or item. Information printed directly on a container or article can also be considered labelling.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heat sealer</span> Machine for joining thermoplastic materials using heat

A heat sealer is a machine used to seal products, packaging, and other thermoplastic materials using heat. This can be with uniform thermoplastic monolayers or with materials having several layers, at least one being thermoplastic. Heat sealing can join two similar materials together or can join dissimilar materials, one of which has a thermoplastic layer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tape dispenser</span>

A tape dispenser is an object that holds a roll of tape and has a mechanism at one end to shear the tape. Dispensers vary widely based on the tape they dispense. Abundant and most common, clear tape dispensers are commonly made of plastic, and may be disposable. Other dispensers are stationary and may have sophisticated features to control tape usage and improve ergonomics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Surgical tape</span> Pressure-sensitive adhesive tape

Surgical tape or medical tape is a type of pressure-sensitive adhesive tape used in medicine and first aid to hold a bandage or other dressing onto a wound. These tapes usually have a hypoallergenic adhesive which is designed to hold firmly onto skin, dressing materials, and underlying layers of tape, but to remove easily without damaging the skin. They allow air to reach the skin ("breathable"). Some breathable tapes such as kinesiology tape, and other elastic bandages with adhesive are made of cotton. Surgical tape is often white because it contains zinc oxide, which is added to help prevent infections. Tapes made of porous material, such as 3M Micropore, are widely used.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pressure-sensitive adhesive</span> Type of non reactive adhesive

Pressure-sensitive adhesive is a type of nonreactive adhesive which forms a bond when pressure is applied to bond the adhesive with a surface. No solvent, water, or heat is needed to activate the adhesive. It is used in pressure-sensitive tapes, labels, glue dots, stickers, sticky note pads, automobile trim, and a wide variety of other products.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adhesive tape</span> Strip of material backed with adhesive

Adhesive tape is one of many varieties of backing materials coated with an adhesive. Several types of adhesives can be used.

Tape or Tapes may refer to:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Box-sealing tape</span>

Box-sealing tape, parcel tape or packing tape is a pressure-sensitive tape used for closing or sealing corrugated fiberboard boxes. It consists of a pressure-sensitive adhesive coated onto a backing material which is usually a polypropylene or polyester film which is oriented to have strength in both the long (machine) direction and the cross direction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Filament tape</span> Reinforced pressure-sensitive film

Filament tape or strapping tape is a pressure-sensitive tape consisting of a pressure-sensitive adhesive coated onto a backing material which is usually a polypropylene or polyester film and fiberglass filaments embedded to add high tensile strength.

Glue dots are pressure-sensitive adhesive dots, used in various different applications, such as sticking credit cards to paper, arts and crafts, and as a safe adhesive for children to use, without needing a hot glue gun. Glue dots are globules of adhesive, which allow attachments to float above a page. They provide a clean and instant bond and are often a more suitable solution than hot or liquid glues or adhesive tapes. Glue dots leave much less mess, residue, and odor which help present a product in the best way, whilst increasing productivity and reducing costs. Removable glue dots also allow you to create a bond which can be removed when needed.

The chemistry of pressure-sensitive adhesives describes the chemical science associated with pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSA). PSA tapes and labels have become an important part of everyday life. These rely on adhesive material affixed to a backing such as paper or plastic film.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nano tape</span> Synthetic adhesive tape

Nano tape, also called gecko tape; marketed under the name Insanity Tape, is a synthetic adhesive tape consisting of arrays of carbon nanotubes transferred onto a backing material of flexible polymer tape. These arrays are called synthetic setae and mimic the nanostructures found on the toes of a gecko; this is an example of biomimicry. The adhesion is achieved not with chemical adhesives, but via van der Waals forces, which are weak electric forces generated between two atoms or molecules that are very close to each other. So far there is little evidence to support nano tape being recyclable in the same way as plastic bottles, but it is reusable. More data is needed to know how environmentally safe nano tape is.

References

  1. "Scotch Tape". doi:10.1038/scientificamerican0909-74b.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  2. Jensen, Timothy (September 1992). "PSA Tapes Offer Environmental Advantages in Packaging". Adhesives Age. Archived from the original on 2010-06-25. Retrieved 2007-11-06.
  3. Jensen, Timothy (April 1999). "Packaging Tapes:To Recycle of Not". Adhesives and Sealants Council. Archived from the original on 2007-11-09. Retrieved 2007-11-06.
  4. Gruenewald, L. E.; Sheehan, R. L. (1997). "Consider box closures when considering recycling". J. Applied Manufacturing Systems. St Thomas Technology Press. 9 (1): 27–29. ISSN   0899-0956.
  5. Journal of the American Institute for Conservation, by Merrily A. Smith, Norvell M. M. Jones, II, Susan L. Page and Marian Peck Dirda; JAIC 1984, Volume 23, Number 2, Article 3 (pp. 101–113)

Further reading