Natural vs. Synthetic Rubber PSA Tapes: Choosing the Right Adhesive
Various pieces of information for this piece were provided by Avery Dennison Performance Tapes (www.tapes.averydennison.com).
Among the many material options for pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) tapes are natural and synthetic rubber, each with their own ideal applications, strengths and weaknesses. As you look to optimize the performance and durability of the adhesive tapes you use for your application, it pays to understand the major differences between these two material options. What is their composition? How does this impact where and when they can be used? Which is most ideal and cost effective for my application?
Our team can help you choose between synthetic and natural rubber and help you fabricate custom parts that perfectly fit your application.
What are the differences between natural and synthetic rubber PSA tapes?
What Are Natural Rubber PSA Tapes?
Natural rubber PSA tapes have been some of the most widely used tapes for generations. They are derived from rubber tree plants and compounded with tackifiers like pinene (from pine sap, among other sources) as well as other additives to improve their adhesion. They use a naturally occurring material that makes them a versatile adhesive material for general-purpose applications. The main benefits of using natural rubber PSA tapes include:
High Initial Tack and Quick Adhesion: natural rubber PSA tapes offer rapid stickiness, making them ideal for bonding surfaces quickly.
Versatile Adhesion to Rough Surfaces: their ability to conform to irregular or porous surfaces like wood, fabric, and cardboard makes them versatile.
Flexibility and Ease of Use: natural rubber tapes are easy to handle and apply, even in challenging assembly environments.
Indirect Food Safety: natural rubber PSA tapes are often used in food-related packaging, ensuring compliance with safety standards for indirect food contact.
Low Cost: these PSA tapes provide very good performance at a reasonable cost.
A Renewable Resource: natural rubber is harvested from rubber trees creating a renewable resource.
The Best Applications for Natural Rubber PSA Tapes
If you need an extremely high initial tack that also your PSA tape to quickly bond to a substrate, natural rubber PSA tapes excel in applications where immediate adhesion is critical. They are especially ideal for short-term or indoor use where they will only have minimal environmental exposure. Some common applications for natural rubber PSA tapes include:
Packaging and carton sealing for shipping and storage needs.
Bonding to rough or textured surfaces like wood, fabric, cardboard, or porous substrates.
General manufacturing tasks (including masking, bundling, or holding components in place during assembly.
What Are Synthetic Rubber PSA Tapes?
Synthetic rubber PSA tapes are specially engineered adhesive tapes made from various polymers, including:
Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR)
Styrene-Isoprene-Styrene (SIS)
Styrene-Ethylene-Butylene-Styrene (SEBS)
Polyisobutylene (PIB)
Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA)
Nitrile Rubber (NBR)
Chloroprene Rubber (Neoprene)
Acrylic-Modified Synthetic Rubbers
These types of rubber PSA tapes can be modified to deliver a more tailored performance based on your application, allowing you to choose tapes that have the properties and resistances you need. Often times shear resistance will be greatly enhanced as well as some improvements to UV resistance and cold weather performance.
Synthetic rubber PSA tapes generally offer:
Better Adhesion and More Versatility: synthetic rubbers bond well to smooth and low-surface-energy materials like plastics with higher strength than natural rubber.
Consistent Performance Across Conditions: synthetic rubber adhesive tapes maintain their adhesive properties across a wider range of temperatures and environments than natural rubber tapes. Additionally, product variation is narrower in synthetic rubber compounds compared to natural rubber.
Durability: these types of tapes are excellent for industrial applications where long-term bonding is essential.
Independent of pending EUDR regulation: synthetic rubber products do not fall under the scope of the pending EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which is a set of requirements that aims to prevent certain products and commodities from being placed on the European market if linked to deforestation.
The Best Applications for Synthetic Rubber PSA Tapes
Synthetic rubber PSA tapes are well known for their use in demanding industrial and some outdoor environments, which often require higher chemical resistance, better durability, and longer-lasting adhesive performance. Many of these types of applications include:
Automotive emblems, trims, and other components.
Electronics and appliances (because they provide reliable bonding for smooth, non-porous surfaces.
Construction and HVAC weatherproofing, sealing, and insulation.
How to Make the Right Choice Between Natural and Synthetic Rubber PSA Tapes
Both options offer unique benefits and limitations, making them suited for specific environments and substrates. When making a decision for your application, consider your desired:
Adhesion Properties
Natural Rubber: natural rubber PSA tapes are known for their high initial tack, which makes them ideal for bonding tough to bond to substrates and rough, porous, or irregular surfaces. The adhesive strength of natural rubber comes from its elasticity and ability to wet out quickly on challenging substrates. Lastly, its indirect food safety and its lower price tag makes it a go-to option for applications where immediate adhesion is required, such as packaging or temporary bonds.
Synthetic Rubber: synthetic rubber PSA tapes excel in applications requiring balanced adhesion to a variety of substrates. The engineered composition of synthetic rubbers allows them to form strong, lasting bonds with surfaces that are otherwise difficult to adhere to. These tapes are ideal for precision manufacturing and industrial applications where consistency is critical. Some formulation will comply with indirect food safety regulations like CFR 175.21
Environmental Resistance
Natural Rubber: while natural rubber provides excellent initial bonding, its performance diminishes under harsh environmental conditions. It is sensitive to UV light, moisture, and high temperatures, making it more suitable for indoor or short-term applications. For example, natural rubber is often used in indoor packaging, masking, or sealing tasks where environmental exposure is limited.
Synthetic Rubber: synthetic rubber PSA tapes are designed to withstand greater environmental challenges. With more resistance to chemicals, UV exposure, and moisture, synthetic rubber tapes maintain their performance in some outdoor conditions. These tapes are frequently employed in automotive, construction, and signage applications, where additional environmental durability than natural rubber is required.
Durability
Natural Rubber: natural rubber tapes are highly effective for short-term applications but may degrade faster when exposed to heat, sunlight, or harsh chemicals. Over time, natural rubber adhesives can lose their bond strength and elasticity, making them less reliable for long-term or high-stress applications.
Synthetic Rubber: synthetic rubber PSA tapes offer better durability, withstanding more exposure to environmental stresses. They are engineered to maintain their integrity and adhesive strength even under higher temperatures, and mechanical strain. This makes them a sound choice for demanding industrial and automotive applications where reliability is critical.
Cost
Natural Rubber: cost-efficiency is one of the primary advantages of natural rubber PSA tapes. They are an economical choice for general-purpose applications, making them popular in industries like packaging and consumer goods, where high volumes and cost control are important.
Synthetic Rubber: while synthetic rubber PSA tapes have a higher upfront cost, they often deliver better long-term value in industrial and demanding environments. Their superior durability and resistance to environmental factors reduce the need for frequent replacements, ultimately saving costs in the long run for high-performance applications.