What Are Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Tapes and How Do They Work?
Pressure sensitive adhesive tape (PSA) is a category of industrial materials that are used in the manufacturing and assembly of products across multiple industries. From appliances to automobiles and aircraft, these PSA tapes are a reliable way to attach components, fill voids, insulate against heat, vibration, and sound, and even conduct thermal or electrical energy.
There is a large variety of pressure sensitive adhesive tapes, each with their own qualities that allow them to properly adhere to nearly any substrate for long periods of time. When used in place of screws, metal fasteners, and other standard assembly components, they deliver benefits that include weight reduction, increased durability, lower production costs, and much more.
What exactly are pressure sensitive adhesive tapes? How do they work? What are the different varieties? This quick guide will deliver the basics of these tape adhesives and how they can be used in your industry application.
What is Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Tape?
PSA tape is technically defined as a backing (generally film, paper, foam, or cloth etc.) with adhesive applied to one or both sides of its surfaces (there are single-sided and double-sided tapes). The adhesives on these tapes are not activated by heat, water, or any other solvents; all that is needed to cause the adhesive to adhere is a degree of pressure depending on the tape.
The adhesives on PSA tapes are polymers that can be engineered to deliver a wide range of various properties. They are able to have varying levels of adhesion and tack depending on the application requirement. Prior to bonding, the pressure sensitive adhesives can feel to have a range of tack. Some will feel very tacky and provide great wet grab to the substrate right away. Others have little to no tack and will gain full strength over the period of 72 hours. Those with the highest tack bond quickly, but often do not provide the highest levels of ultimate adhesive strength. Alternately, some of the products with very little tack are often able to withstand extraordinary loads over time.
The Typical Types of PSA Tapes
Three of the most common types of pressure sensitive adhesive tape materials are:
Rubber PSA tapes: low-cost tapes that have a high amount of initial tack. They are generally not suitable for applications that are exposed to UV light or high temperatures. They often can, however, bond to low-surface-energy (LSE) substrates like plastic. Natural rubber adhesives are even acceptable in applications with food contact.
Acrylic PSA tapes: versatile PSA tapes that can be engineered to have high or low tack. They can perform in high or low temperatures, be flame retardant, and have good UV resistance. They bond well to a wide variety of surfaces, including LSE substrates.
Silicone PSA tapes: tapes that are ideal for applications with very low (40°F) or very high (500°F) temperatures. Silicone adhesives also bond very well to themselves, so it is often used when bonding silicone rubber and foam products.
Three common types of PSA tapes are:
Single-sided PSA tapes: where the adhesive is only applied to one side of the backing.
Double-sided PSA TAPES: where the adhesive is applied to both sides of the tape carrier or backing
Adhesive transfer tapes: act like double-sided tapes but are actually pure adhesives coated to a removable release liner, allowing the tape to easily be handled before application.
Customizing PSA Tapes
Pressure sensitive adhesive tapes can be die cut, along with many other fabrication techniques, to customize pieces that fit into any product or application. At Engineered Materials, we are problem solvers. We can help you find the right tape for your application based on the issues you are having and the application. Looking to cut production costs? Need a stronger adhesive tape? Let’s talk about what is possible.