FINAT defines low-temperature adhesion as the ability of pressure-sensitive coated material to adhere at temperatures below 5°C. Today, many applications require adhesion that must be maintained at temperatures of -25°C or lower.
One of the main characteristics of pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) is their viscoelastic character, which allows optimal mobility for wetting substrate surfaces in order to bond and obtain maximal adhesion, while absorbing energy as viscoelastic deformation to maintain an effective bonding. Viscoelastic character of an adhesive is given by the elastomeric polymer present in its formulation.