In a past post, we discussed ASTM D3359-17 – Standard Test Methods for Rating Adhesion by Tape Test, a standard that details tests to assess the adhesion strength between a coating and a metal substrate through the application and peeling of tape. The tape used for carrying out these tests is not the core focus of the standard, but adhesion is certainly a concept integral to tape. In fact, it is surely the primary goal of its use. For this, ASTM D3330-04(2018) – Standard Test Method for Peel Adhesion of Pressure-Sensitive Tape covers the measurement of the peel adhesion of pressure-sensitive tapes.
ASTM D3330-04(2018) includes six different test methods, depending on the specific conditions of the test and type, to be used for assessing the uniformity of the adhesion of pressure-sensitive adhesive tape. The assessment may be within a roll of tape, between rolls, or between production lots.
Test Method A is for single-coated tapes and assesses the peel adhesion at a 180 angle. For this, a strip of tape is applied to a standard test panel with controlled pressure, and the tape is peeled from the panel at 180° angle at a specified rate. The force required to effect peel is measured.
Test Method B involves the adhesion to backing of single-coated tapes. For this method, a strip of tape is applied to a panel, and another strip of tape is applied to the backing of the first strip of tape and tested for peel adhesion as described in Test Method A.
Test Method C tests double-coated tapes. For testing Face Side Adhesion, the tape is adhered to a stainless steel panel, liner side up. The liner is removed and the exposed adhesive is covered with a strip of 0.025-mm thick polyester film. The resulting tape is then tested as described in Test Method A. For testing Liner Side Adhesion, the face side adhesive is applied to a 0.025-mm polyester film. The liner is removed and the tape is applied adhesive down to a stainless steel panel. Testing is conducted as described in Test Method A.
Test Method D involves the adhesion to liner. In this method, tape is adhered to a standard steel test panel with the liner side up, and the liner is then peeled from the adhesive in the same manner as in peeling a single-coated tape from a standard panel as described in Test Method A.
Test Method E is purposed with addressing the adhesion of adhesive transfer tapes. For testing the Face Side, the tape is adhered to a standard panel, the liner is removed, and a 0.025-mm thick strip of polyester is adhered to form a film-backed strip of tape. The adhesion is measured as described in Test Method A. For testing the Linear Side, transfer tape is applied to a strip of 0.025-mm thick polyester film, the liner is removed, and the resulting tape’s adhesion is measured as described in Test Method A.
Test Method F is, much like Test Method A, intended for testing single-coated tapes, except it involves a 90° peel. Under this method, a strip of tape is applied to a standard test panel with controlled pressure. The tape is peeled from the panel at 90° angle at a specified rate, and the force required to effect peel is measured.
Variations in either the tape backing or the adhesive can affect the response of any of these tests. As such, these test methods cannot be used to identify the specific cause of non-uniformity, if established.
Guidelines for useable reagents, the apparatus and testing material, testing procedures, and calculations are all detailed in the ASTM D3330-04(2018) document.
ASTM D3330/D3330M-04(2018) – Standard Test Method for Peel Adhesion of Pressure-Sensitive Tape is available on the ANSI Webstore.
Im sure Tesa Tapes in the Philippines can pass this test method.