The idealized chart (Figure 1) shows the relative effect of temperature on the common PSA properties of tack, peel and shear resistance. As the temperature increases, the adhesive mass softens and “wets” the substrate more rapidly and completely, and the tack and peel properties increase.
At some point, however, the adhesive softens to the point that its cohesive strength is less than the substrate adhesion, and the adhesive mass splits, failing cohesively. This occurs in the chart area identified as the “Failure Mode Change.” As the temperature continues to increase, the adhesive mass continues to soften, and the tack and peel values continue to go down.
In testing shear resistance, one always looks for cohesive failure. As the temperature increases, shear resistance goes down as the adhesive mass softens. This reduction in shear resistance will be fairly slow and steady, to the point where the mass is so soft that it will not support a load for any appreciable time. This transition will most likely occur in the “Failure Mode Change” portion of the chart.
Chemsultants was involved in the round-robin testing of the ASTM committees that rewrote the shear and loop-tack test methods. A ranking of environmental conditions was developed to determine which aspects of the tests required first-order control. Temperature was ranked either first or second in all exercises. The viscoelastic behavior of polymer blends is a function of the temperature at which the measurement is taken. This logically extends to the simpler tests we run in the laboratory.
It is for these reasons that most standard test methods specify a standard test temperature (and humidity), as shown in Figure 2. Unless otherwise specified, the testing temperature should be kept at a standard 72ºF (±2º). Humidity, too, can play a role in performance and should be maintained at a level of 50% (±5%). Test samples should be stored at these conditions for at least 24 hours in order to achieve equilibrium.
Application temperature is that temperature at which the adhesive is applied to a surface and is expected to achieve a bond. Generally, application is limited on the low end of the temperature scale. End-use temperature is that temperature at which the adhesive must perform adequately once the bond is made. The limitation in end-use temperature is usually at the high end of the temperature range.
One way to test the application temperature is to place the test samples and substrates at the selected temperature and allow them to equilibrate. Lamination is accomplished at this temperature, and the laminated samples are allowed to reside for a specific period, after which they are peeled at that temperature.
End-use temperature can be determined by making the lamination at room temperature and allowing the bond to build for a given time at this temperature. After this residence period, the samples are placed at the test temperature for a period of time to achieve equilibrium, and then they are peeled at that temperature. This measures the temperature sensitivity of a bond that was established and developed at a standard “assembly” temperature. The test temperature can be higher or lower than the assembly temperature.
Another way of looking at these same tests is to look at the way we apply the temperature differences. The most common is end-use testing and the selection of a standard temperature as a reference point for the test protocol.
These test temperatures are achieved by using an environmental chamber on the tester in the case of larger testing units. They also can be achieved by placing the testing unit in the testing environment, either a freezer or an oven.
A modification of the shear-resistance test is the shear adhesion failure test, which is a modification of ASTM D-4498 — a standard test method for the heat-fail temperature in shear of hot melt adhesives. As described in this method, the samples are assembled as in the shear test using a 500-gram load and placed into the test chamber. The temperature of the chamber starts at ambient and is ramped upward at a prescribed rate (60°F per hour is typical). The temperature at which the adhesive layer fails is noted as the shear adhesion failure temperature (SAFT) and serves as a guide to the high-temperature performance of the adhesive. It is important to be able to determine as accurately as possible the temperature of the adhesive layer, rather than the air temperature, since the adhering components (test sample and test surface) will take some time to achieve the temperature of the air in the chamber.
Tack testing at different temperatures is also very important in predicting performance in certain applications. High-speed application of labels to refrigerated or frozen foods requires high tack at the application temperature. One method of measuring tack at lower temperatures is to use the probe-tack method and cool the probe by circulating cooled liquid through it. A less-cumbersome technique is to use the loop-tack method and place the tester in a cooled environment. It is very important to store the samples, substrates and tester in this environment for some time to achieve temperature equilibrium.
While there is no standard set of aging conditions, 70°C is commonly used. Most of the original PSA technology was based on rubber polymers, and 70°C aging was a standard aging temperature for rubber. Likewise, the one- and three-week aging periods are holdovers from the rubber industry.
While 70°C is a generally accepted aging temperature, other temperatures may be used, with the choice based on the temperature stability of the other components in the laminate.
Unapplied means that the samples are aged with the release liner in place, after which the liner is removed and the samples are applied to the test surface for the specified time before peeling. Unapplied aging will relate to the “shelf life” of the laminate prior to its end use.
Applied means that the samples are applied to the test surface and allowed to reside there for the aging period before they are peeled. Applied aging will relate to the use life of the product after it is bonded to a substrate.
Analytical techniques that can be used to determine the Tg of the adhesive mass include Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) and Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA). Of these, the most commonly used method is DMA. DMA will measure the bulk properties of the adhesive mass, which will include the base polymer and any additives in it. It does not take into consideration any interfacial relationships between the adhesive and the surfaces to which it is bonded.
DMA will determine the storage modulus (G’) and loss modulus (G”) of the adhesive mass by sweeping through a range of frequencies and temperatures. Dividing G” by G’ yields the property tan d. Plotting tan d versus temperature will result in peaks that relate to the Tg of the adhesive mass. The type of information developed by DMA and other thermal analytical techniques can be used to formulate adhesives that will perform well at ambient conditions and at temperature extremes.
As noted above, DMA measures only the bulk properties of the adhesive mass. Final testing must be in the form of practical evaluations of the adhesive formulation, the substrates to be used in the application and the temperature ranges to be seen in the application.
Acknowledgement: The author wishes to acknowledge the assistance of ChemInstruments, Fairfield, Ohio, who manufactures the test equipment used in running the test methods described in this article.
For additional information, contact the author at Chemsultants International Inc., 9349 Hamilton Dr., Mentor, OH 44060; phone 440-352-0218; fax 440-352-8572; or e-mail chemnet@apk.net.