If you are a company dealing in pressure sensitive adhesive products, such as silicone pressure sensitive adhesive, acrylic pressure sensitive adhesive, permanent pressure sensitive adhesive or double sided pressure sensitive adhesive films, it is always beneficial to have the latest information about the industry.

If you want to use pressure sensitive adhesives, you can consult your pressure sensitive adhesive manufacturer to understand the basics of this technology. You can also search for courses that cover pressure sensitive adhesives in their syllabi. To enrich your knowledge, you can subscribe to periodicals and magazines that provide updates on the industry.

To educate yourself and/or your employees about pressure sensitive adhesives, you can:

1. Attend a certification course that provides information about pressure sensitive adhesive products
2. Seek an expert’s advice if you need information on a particular type of pressure sensitive adhesive tape or pressure sensitive glue
3. Subscribe to magazines and periodicals
4. Read scholarly articles and research papers by experts in the adhesive industry

Action Steps
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Find basic and advanced training programs on pressure sensitive adhesive products

Some institutions and associations offer courses on pressure sensitive adhesives as a part of the syllabi. If you are a beginner in the pressure sensitive adhesives business, you can opt for a basic level training program, and if you understand the basics of pressure sensitive adhesives, you can opt for advanced training programs.

I recommend: Drytac, a manufacturer of pressure sensitive products, offers online tutorials on pressure sensitive adhesive film products. Macromolecules and Interfaces Institute at Virginia Tech (MII) offers short duration courses that have approval from The Adhesive and Sealant Council, Inc.

Attend workshops and seminars that provide information about pressure sensitive adhesives

To understand the basics of pressure sensitive adhesives and updates in the adhesive industry, you can attend workshops and seminars by experts in the adhesive industry.

I recommend: Chemsultants International, an expert in sealant technology, offers education and training on adhesive products through educational workshops and technical training kits. The Pressure Sensitive Tape Council (PSTC), an association of tape manufacturers, also offers workshops on pressure sensitive tape products. ARDEX Engineered Cements, a provider of specialty surface solutions, offers seminars on underlayments and adhesives, including pressure sensitive adhesives.

Subscribe to magazines and journals to learn more about pressure sensitive adhesives

You can subscribe to magazines and journals that provide up-to-date information about pressure sensitive adhesives. Additionally you can search for resources that provide information about new products in the adhesives industry.

I recommend: You can subscribe to Adhesives & Sealants Industry, a magazine that provides information about new products in the adhesives and sealant industry. Adhesives and Sealants.com provides the latest news about pressure sensitive adhesives and the companies that manufacture adhesives and sealants.

Finding pressure sensitive adhesive products may be confusing if you are not aware of the different types of adhesive and their benefits. Pressure sensitive adhesive technology is used in a variety of adhesives used in different businesses. Pressure sensitive adhesive manufacturers use advanced technology to provide you with a pressure sensitive adhesive your business can benefit from.

Pressure sensitive adhesives are available in three different categories. Hot melt pressure adhesives are high-performance adhesives that mold to different contours and shape quickly, forming a thick tacky solution. Pressure sensitive glue is thinner than hot melt, forms faster and dries almost immediately. Pressure sensitive adhesive tape works well on flat areas and is thin for an almost invisible look when joining sides of items. Consider these aspects when buying pressure sensitive adhesive.

1. Use hot melt pressure sensitive adhesives for its long holding and fast drying characteristics.

2. Choose pressure sensitive glue for easy applications.

3. Apply pressure sensitive adhesive tape for bonding different materials together.

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Locate pressure sensitive adhesive in hot melt form

Pressure sensitive adhesives come in hot melt forms for automobiles, wood, plastics and metal working. With the hot melt adhesive, a gun or machine heats the glue until it becomes sticky. The glue is then applied to the material that needs the adhesive.

I recommend: Master Bond caries a wide variety of hot melt, permanent pressure sensitive adhesive made from urethane, acrylics, polyamides and polyolefin compounds. Visit Adhesive Technologies for low to specialty temperature hot melt pressure adhesives. Alfa International provides hot melt adhesives for a number of industries.

Purchase pressure sensitive glue

Pressure sensitive glue comes in both liquid and aerosol forms. This type of pressure sensitive adhesive is easily applied and dries quickly. Pressure sensitive glue is commonly used in the industrial, medical and electronics fields.

I recommend: Read product information and order spray pressure sensitive glue for even coverage at Quest Chemical Corporation. Purchase high quality pressure adhesive glue at Gluefast. Adhesive Research is a pressure sensitive adhesive manufacturer that will custom make a pressure adhesive glue for your company.

Use pressure sensitive adhesive tape

Pressure sensitive tape is made from silicon, acrylic, fabric and some metals. The pressure sensitive adhesive technology used in making tape strengthens the tape until it withstands temperature changes and friction. Pressure sensitive adhesive tape bonds different types of metals and eliminates the need for visible fasteners.

I recommend: Purchase clear pressure sensitive tape and pressure sensitive adhesive film wholesale at Gulf Packaging. Find a variety of single and double sided pressure sensitive adhesive tape from 3M, a leading distributor pressure sensitive adhesive tape. The International Tape Company creates custom pressure sensitive tapes as well as stock acrylic pressure sensitive adhesive tapes.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Pressure sensitive adhesive products are regulated by the government for environmental safety.

Pressure sensitive adhesives are adhesives that adhere to most metals and non-metals with the application of slight pressure. These adhesives are made from rubber, acrylic or silicone compounds. Pressure sensitive adhesives are available in different forms, such as hot melt adhesives, hot melt glue, films and tapes, and can be permanent or temporary.

If you want to use pressure sensitive adhesives for your applications, you will need to know the technical terms related to these adhesives. In this guide, we will cover some of the key terms related to pressure sensitive adhesives, such as acrylic adhesives, pressure sensitive tapes, tack, curing, adhesion and application temperature.

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Acrylic adhesives

Acrylic adhesives are most suitable for bonding two dissimilar materials, such as plastic to metal. Since acrylics adhesives are thermoplastics by nature, these adhesives soften on exposure to heat and harden on cooling.

I recommend: GlobalSpec, a knowledge resource, provides detailed information about high temperature and low temperature acrylics adhesives.

Pressure sensitive tapes

Pressure sensitive tapes are tapes that bond or seal various surfaces at room temperature. These tapes are available in a variety of materials depending on the application requirements.

I recommend: For information about pressure sensitive tapes and their applications, you can refer to International Tape Company, a reputable manufacturer of different types of tapes.

Tack

Tack is the force that is required to remove the adhesive from the substrate. It is a measurement of the strength of an adhesive. It is also one of the measures of evaluating the adhesive performance.

I recommend: Chemsultants International, Inc., an adhesive consultant, provides detailed information about various methods of evaluating adhesives, including tack.

Curing

Curing of a pressure sensitive adhesive is very important, as the adhesive attains maximum strength only after the curing process is over. Curing changes the properties of an adhesive by chemical reaction and assures strong bonding between the joined materials.

I recommend: To learn more about the term curing, you can read through the glossary of adhesive terms at the Master Bond Inc., a manufacturer of high performance adhesives.

Adhesion

Adhesion is the process of the sticking or joining of two surfaces. It is the bonding of the adhesive and the substrate.

I recommend: To understand the meaning of the term adhesion, you can read through the glossary of technical terms at the National Glass Association (NGA).

Application temperature

Application temperature is the temperature of the material at the time of the application of the adhesive. Application temperature is an important factor, since some adhesives are better suited to high temperature whereas some are better suited for low temperature applications.

I recommend: You can get more information about application temperature at the Western States Envelope & Label.