This association has released the 16th edition of its “Test Methods for Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Tapes.” The test methods reportedly contain standard procedures for quality control of pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) tape testing in the laboratory and measuring tape performance characteristics.

PSTC issued its first test method manual in 1955 with eight methods: 180° peel, shear holding, unwind, tensile, elongation, thickness, moisture vapor transmission rate and water penetration. Although the versatility of pressure-sensitive tape backing and the various adhesive qualities make it impossible to include tests that measure the characteristics of all tapes, this 16th edition has grown to include 30 methods, including a new test method: Shear Adhesion Failure Temperature (SAFT) for Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Tape, test method 17.