Stick It – Adhesive Talk
When most people think about tape or labels, if it sticks it works. But there’s a lot more to the adhesives used in tapes and labels than just being sticky.
The adhesive that makes your label or tape stick can have varying levels of grip, shelf life, and longevity depending on the intended use. The adhesive can also be made from a variety of materials either man made or natural. In this post, we’ll look at Rubber, Silicone, and Acrylic.
Rubber – Natural or Synthetic
Natural rubber: used in the cheapest tapes on the market
- Has a higher tack (“stickyness when dry”)
- Limited UV resistance
- Dries out quickly (6 – 12 months)
Natural rubber adhesives are used in duct tapes and low-temperature masking tapes.
Synthetic rubber:
- Hot-melt – low-temp melting plastic, ages poorly, brittle, low UV resistance.
- Solvent-rubber – better temp and aging, poor UV resistance
- Butyl rubber – excellent UV and aging resistance, lower mechanical strength
Silicone
Compared to acrylic and rubber adhesives, they are significantly more expensive, but due to their excellent high temperature performance they are very well suited to splicing tapes, masking tapes and Kapton tapes.
- High flexibility (low modulus) at sub-ambient temperature
- Consistent performance over wide temperature range
- Excellent aging and UV resistance
- High temperature resistance
- Good resistance to solvents
Acrylic
Acrylic adhesives can either be water-based or solvent-based and are generally divided into two subgroups: Pure and Modified
Pure acrylic
- Reasonable adhesion to a wide range of substrates (see modified acrylics below)
- Good aging and UV resistance
- Reasonable temperature resistance
- Lower tack and less adhesion on hard-to-bond plastics (high- and low-density polyethylene (HDPE & LDPE) and polypropylene (PP) ). Pure acrylic adhesives are mainly used on tapes whose applications are bonding, sealing or surface protection.
Modified acrylic
Modified acrylics have the same characteristics as pure acrylics, but have superior adhesion to the hard-to-bond-plastics mentioned above. Generally, these are more expensive than pure acrylics and are used for plastic bonding, lamination and splicing.
So there you have it. I hope some of this information sticks with you.
Industries We Serve
Aerospace Industry
Aerospace Industry
The aerospace industry uses adhesive tapes to hold and insulate critical components under exposure to a wide variety of harsh conditions, including extreme temperatures, high moisture, fluctuating pressures, and UV radiation. To withstand the operational challenges posed by aerospace equipment, tapes must meet stringent standards and requirements for temperature resistance, flammability, low weight, and adhesion.
Automotive Industry
Automotive Industry
NADCO Tapes and Labels is a leading manufacturer of standard and custom tapes and pressure-sensitive labels. With our 35,000 square foot facility full of the latest manufacturing technology, we can create custom products for countless industries, including the automotive industry.
Contruction Industry
Contruction Industry
There are many applications for adhesive tapes on construction sites both within a structure’s interior and around the exterior, and many types of construction tapes exist that provide solutions for this industry.
Electronics Industry
Electronics Industry
Adhesive tapes are common in the electronics industry. While they’re typically used for insulation and other safety reasons, there are a number of specific applications that require different custom tapes. At NADCO, we’re proud to offer a wide range of materials and adhesive options that can be used for electronic products and applications, from masking and shielding to mounting and more. Over the years, we’ve worked with countless clients in the electronics space, and not only are we familiar with industry requirements and expectations, we’ve worked to create custom solutions for these companies.
Medical Industry
Medical Industry
Adhesive tapes used in the medical industry must meet strict medical-grade standards that often require customization. The tapes used in medical applications have the potential of being exposed to varying conditions, so they must have biocompatibility and be able to withstand intense environments.
Nuclear Industry
Nuclear Industry
At NADCO, we understand that each application is different, which is why we provide a wide range of nuclear tape and label designs, features, and customization options. We aim to enhance the safety of nuclear applications with quality adhesive solutions for every situation, from nuclear warning labels and RAD wipes to hazard tape and radioactivity indicator signage.
Personal Protective Equipment Industry
Personal Protective Equipment Industry
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is a broad term that refers to the equipment used to reduce your risk of injury or illness caused by exposure to germs and dangerous working conditions. Different types of PPE are required across various industries, depending upon the unique risks posed on the job site. These include face and eye protection as well as hard hats for the construction industry.
Safety Industry
Safety Industry
Safety is a crucial aspect of any work environment. Employees need a safe work environment, and customers must be able to access products and services without undue risk. In order to establish safe facilities, many companies incorporate safety tapes.
