Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives (PSAs) - Articles - Page 150

The Green Material Profiles is a comprehensive listing of green raw materials and formulated adhesives and sealants. Use this guide throughout the year to find and formulate sustainable, green materials from renewable ingredients. To be included in the next edition, contact Managing Editor Teresa McPherson at mcphersont@bnpmedia.com.

Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives 101

This article explains what a pressure-sensitive adhesive is, how it is constructed and what adhesive options are available.

Kurt Schramer

October 1, 2009

Pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) are used in applications ranging from labeling food packaging to assembling electronic devices to mounting graphics displays. Although they have been around for decades and their use is widespread, manufacturers, converters, and printers may not understand the key differences between the adhesive choices available, how they’re constructed, or which are best suited for a particular job.

Peel Adhesion Testing of Small or Problem Labels

Small labels can be tested using modified standard methods.

Don Eppink

October 1, 2009

A number of standard test methods are used in the U.S. to measure the peel adhesion or bond strength of pressure-sensitive labels.

Adhesive Tapes as Trace Evidence

When adhesive tape is found as evidence at a crime scene, it is the forensic scientist’s job to match it to its source with little or no knowledge of tape construction.

John Johnston

January 1, 2008

The criminal element has discovered the thousands of uses for adhesive tape, and it is being found more and more often as trace evidence at crime scenes. By far the most common tape found as evidence in two out of three cases involving adhesive tape is duct tape.

Biodegradable Polymers in Adhesive Systems

Many biodegradable polymers are suited for adhesive applications, such as environmentally friendly packaging, recyclable envelope adhesives and biomedical devices.

Edward M. Petrie

June 1, 2007

Significant advances have been made over the past 20 years in the development of biodegradable polymers. These materials have been developed in a variety of forms, and thus have potential use in a range of industries, including adhesives.

Safety First: Safe Handling of Adhesives and Sealants

While cured adhesives and sealants are generally considered safe, care must be taken with airborne particles, decomposition products, and uncured components.

Edward M. Petrie

March 1, 2007

Completely cured adhesives and sealants are generally considered safe and non-toxic, although caution must be exercised when machining or grinding joints due to airborne particles. Also, decomposition products may exhibit substantial vapor pressures that present health and safety issues. However, it is exposure to uncured components that can be the most harmful, and that is the subject of this article.