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Self adhesive tape is a product consisting of a non adhesive backing on one side and a pressure sensitive adhesive (Pressure Sensitive Adhesive) on the other side. This adhesive mass works at room temperature and it does not need any activation agent (water, temperature, etc). Self adhesive tapes are put directly on the surface just giving a slight pressure on it.
In some cases, the adhesive mass could be crosslinked in a second moment heating it up after the application.
One side adhesive tape: the adhesive mass is just on one side of the backing
Double side adhesive tape: a self adhesive tape in which the adhesive mass is on both sides of the backing. A slight pressure is enough to activate tha adhesive mass (P.S.A.).
Principale kinds of supports:
| Plastic Films: |
Polypropylene bioriented (BOPP)
Polyvinylchloride (PVC)
Polyester (PET)
Polypropylene Monoaxially (MOPP)
Polyethylene (es. low density:LDPE; high density: HDPE) |
| Paper: |
Corrugated
Smooth
Kraft |
N.B.: Besides the backings mentioned above, many other backings are used to make self adhesive tapes (different kinds of cloth, foam, etc.). Often different materials are additionally used as reinforcement (glass fibre, nylon, etc.).
Principal kinds of adhesive masses:
| Natural rubber: |
A blend of natural rubber, hydrocarbon and natural resins, with different additives, dissolved in organic solvents.
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| Hot Melt: |
A blend of synthetic rubbers, hydrocarbon and natural resins and different additives, made at high temperatures and cooled after application on the support ("coating process"). |
| Water base: |
Made by a polymeric base, usually acrylics, in water mixed with different additives. |
| Acrylic base: |
It is made by acrylic polymers in various solvents dissolved. |
N.B.: additives used to make those masses are primarily pigments, stabilizers and inerts. Other adhesives, mixed from the components mentioned above or from other polymers, can be utilized differently when mixed with different solvents. These different masses are mainly used in adhesive tapes built for specific applications.
Main parts of the self adhesive tape 
| Primer: |
An additive layer applied between the support and the adhesive mass which keepsthese two parts together. |
| Release: |
An adhesive layer on the support that is used to help the tape reel off. |
| Liner: |
A removal covering material which protects the adhesive side of the backing. It has to be removed before the application of the adhesive tape. Mainly used in double sided adhesive tapes. Usually made of paper or plastic film treated with a separating agent. |
| Core: |
The inner paperboard or plastic roll on which the tape is wound. Its size is usually measured in inches. |
Main technical characteristics of self adhesisive tape
There are many measurable technical, chemical, physical and mechanical characteristics of self adhesive tape. The ones shown here are the most important ones which best explain their fundamental properties. For characteristics not mentioned that mostly regard special uses, it is necessary to contact the manufacturers of the tape directly.
| Breaking load: |
The necessary strenght needed to break a certain tape of a specific width in certain test conditions. It is specified in Newton (N) per width unit. |
| Elongation: |
How much the tape will extend before breaking off in specific conditions. It is specified in % of the initial lenght. |
| Thickness: |
The perpendicular distance between the opposite sides of the whole tape or backing. It is specified in microns (µm) and/or millimeters. |
| Adhesion: |
The condition in which two surfaces stay together when forces are applied. In self adhesive tape production, this characteristic can be dealt with in different ways:
- “PEEL 180°" : the force needed to pull a piece of adhesive tape up 180° angle off a surface;
- ADHESION TO OWN BACK: the force needed to pull up with a 180° angle a piece of adhesive tape attached to its own back;
- "SHEAR” OR “HOLDING POWER": the capacity of the adhesive tape to resist a force parallel to the application surface;
- "TACK": instant surface adhesiveness; it could be determinated in different ways (rolling wheel, RBT, loop tack, quick stick, etc.).
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