Questions to Ask When Choosing a Double-Sided Pressure Sensitive Tape
Choosing the right pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) tape for your application all begins with a series of questions. These questions can change depending on the application and specific problems that are being addressed, but there are some “opening” questions and considerations that can get you started on the right path. Not only do you have to consider which PSA tape material to use, there are also single and double-sided options, adhesive transfer tapes, very high bonding tapes, and other types of specialty tapes that may be right for your application.
If you are in the market for pressure sensitive adhesive tapes, regardless of how they will be used, these are some good questions to start with.
What Substrate(s) Are You Working With?
The surface that the tape will be applied to is arguably the most important part of the equation. Proper adhesion requires that the tape be compatible with the surface it is being applied to. If the tape is not suitable for the given substrate, the tape will not stick, or will not stick for long, causing the adhesion to fail.
It’s important to understand the materials you are working with, particularly their surface energies. What creates a strong bond is the molecular force of attraction between the two unlike materials being joined together (the tape and the part or component you are working with). The strength of the attraction depends on the surface energy of the substrates. Surface energies range from high to low, with high surface energies leading to a strong molecular attraction and low surface energies equating to a weaker attraction.
The type of tape you need will change depending on the surface energy of the substrates. The surface texture of your materials can also create additional issues with adhesion, making choosing the right type of tape for a strong bond even more important.
How Thick are the Substrates You are Working With?
The thickness of each of the substrates, the rigidity of the substrate, and the surface area of the bond will directly affect the type of tape that will be selected. Substrate thickness will affect the thickness necessary of the bonding PSA tape required. Typically, the thicker and the more rigid the two substrates, the thicker the PSA must be. Using a tape that is too thin can lead to less contact between the surface of the tape and substrate. These gaps in contact can severely limit the ultimate adhesion of the tape and lead to bond failures. Bonds with larger surface areas can minimize adhesion contact challenges as the overall potential area of adhesive contact increases.
Similarly, when at least one of the substrates is a flexible material, like foams or flexible plastics, thinner tapes may be used since full contact between the substrate and adhesive can be easily achieved with pressure. Ensuring the right match between substrate and PSA tape thickness will help ensure great adhesion.
What are the Environmental Operating Conditions?
It’s one thing for pressure sensitive adhesive tapes to create a strong bond in static, temperature-controlled conditions. It’s another thing to expect them to continue to perform well after years of exposure to volatile conditions. The environment in which the PSA tape is expected to perform is crucial to a strong bond, and many different types of tape are capable of withstanding harsh conditions. When choosing a PSA tape for your application, consider these environmental conditions:
Temperature ranges: will the tape be exposed to extremely high or low temperatures?
Flames: certain tapes can be treated to be flame retardant
Exposure to UV light
Exposure to oils, grease, or other chemical solvents
Water exposure or submersion
Exposure to constant vibrations
Humidity/moisture levels
Exposure to heavy winds or other loads
How Long Must the Application Last?
Some PSA tapes are used temporarily during assembly, firmly holding components in place until a permanent fastener can be applied. Other tapes are used in place of fasteners in the final product. The length of time that the tape will be in place will influence the type of tape used. Tapes can be made to be easily removable during the manufacturing process, decreasing assembly time and costs.
Looking for the right PSA tape for your application? We can help you ask, and answer, the right questions. Get in touch with today to get started.