Choosing the Correct Adhesive-Coated Breathable Film for Medical Applications
Adhesive-coated polymeric films can be used in a variety of medical applications. Parameters such as adhesion, flexibility, strength, convertibility, thickness and moisture-vapor transmission might need to be considered by the product designer.
The film portion of the construction acts as a barrier to contamination (liquid, solid and bacteria) while the pressure sensitive adhesive provides a convenient means of attachment to the surface, typically skin. In some cases, the adhesive provides an intimate contact with the surface, acting as a "gasket" to further seal the surface from contamination. Physical properties such as film tensile, tear, elongation and adhesion performance of adhesive-coated film materials have been studied and reported over the years, with the result that the product designer has available many combinations of films and adhesives with which to work.