Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Key Terms

Understand key terms related to pressure sensitive adhesives

By Howard Robertson

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.

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