A lasting adhesion tester is a machine that tests the long-term holding or adhesive qualities of a type of adhesive or compound. It is also known as Holding Power Tester or Shear Adhesion Tester, which refers to an apparatus designed to test the adhesiveness and long-term holding power of Pressure Sensitive Adhesive tapes (PSAs), labels, films, and dressings.
Unlike a regular peel tester, which determines the strength at which a tape is pulled off from a surface, the durable adhesion tester assesses the resistance of an adhesive against creep or slip with constant static pressure applied to it for a long duration.
How it works
How Lasting Adhesion Testing Works
Here is how a pressure-sensitive adhesion tester works-
- Tape Sample Preparation: A piece of tape is placed onto a standardised stainless steel substrate with a standardised area of contact (usually 1 inch by 1 inch or 25 mm by 25 mm.
- Applying Pressure: A standardised roller is used to roll over the tape for a certain number of times to ensure even wet out (adhesion).
- Static Load Test: The sample is fixed vertically or slightly inclined at an angle of 2 degrees (to avoid peeling force). The load to be applied, generally a mass of 1 kg or 500 grams, is suspended from the lower edge of the tape strip.
- Time Tracking: Digital timers already installed on the computer automatically track the precise amount of time that the tape holds onto the weight before failing. The moment the tape slips from the panel and the weight touches the sensor below, the clock stops counting.
Key Technical Features of Modern Testers
Multi-Station Racks:
They are normally set up in clusters of 3, 6, or 10 independent test stations for carrying out tests simultaneously and for the purpose of averaging statistics.
Compatibility With Thermal Tests:
High-end racks are designed to be used in laboratory ovens or environmental chambers because some automotive and electronic tapes need to withstand adhesion even after reaching temperatures between 80 and 120 degrees Centigrade.
Which industries use Lasting Adhesion Testers?
Some industrial use cases of lasting adhesion testers are in the-
- Logistics, packaging, and shipping
- Pulp and paper manufacturing
- Consumer electronics
- Aerospace
- Car manufacturing
- Medical device and pharma
Standards for adhesive testing
Tests for adhesives are conducted in accordance with a rigorous standard system, which provides repeatability and recognition of results for tests like tack, peel, and shear worldwide. Each industry will have its own range of materials for testing, like packaging adhesive testing, which checks the adhesive qualities of different packaging materials, labels, films, and tapes.
The two leading bodies in terms of developing international standards for adhesives are the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM International) and the Pressure Sensitive Tape Council (PSTC). The European and Asian equivalents would be the ISO standards and FINAT standards (for labels), respectively.
Industrial applications for adhesive testing equipment
Equipment for testing industrial adhesives, such as multi-station static shear stands, peel test stands, and UTMs (Universal Testing Machines), is important in many industries around the world. Due to the fact that contemporary industries have been switching to the use of structural adhesives and pressure-sensitive tapes in place of mechanical fasteners like rivets, screws, and welds, the verification of their bonding becomes vital.
Here are some of the actual applications of adhesive testing in different industries-
- Automotive industry: Here it is used for testing structural bonding for making car bodies. The electric car manufacturing industries use it for potting compounds to secure the EV cells.
- Aerospace and defence: It is used to test the honeycomb structural integrity when designing aeroplane bodies, shuttles, and rockets. It is also used to test adhesive qualities in extreme temperatures, such as from -55degrees Celsius to 150 degrees Celsius.
- Medical device manufacturing and pharma: here, it is used to test the adhesive qualities of skin patches and bandages. It is also used in the medical device assembly line when manufacturing syringes, catheters, and fluid meters.
- Consumer electronics industry: Here, it is used for testing the adhesive qualities of laminate screens like smart TVs, laptops, tablets, and other wearable devices. It is also used for testing the shear resistance of adhesives that hold on to the battery packs and PCBs, so that they do not get dislodged from their fixed place.
What materials can be tested using a Lasting Adhesion Tester?
Here are the materials that can be tested using a lasting adhesion tester-
- Carton sealing and packaging tapes
- Filament strapping tapes
- Duct tapes
- Transfer tapes
- Double-sided foam tapes
- Barcode labels
- Transdermal patches
- Surgical tapes and wound dressing
- Screen protectors
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Q : What is a Lasting Adhesion Tester?
A : Lasting Adhesion Tester, or more popularly referred to as Holding Power Tester or Static Shear Adhesion Tester in technical fields, is a very accurate quality control device used for evaluating the long-term cohesive performance of Pressure Sensitive Adhesive materials, tapes, labels, and protective films.
Q : Why is lasting adhesion testing important?
A : Long-term adhesion test is very important since it considers the factor of time. This is because it tests the cohesion of the glue, whereby it shows whether the adhesive can withstand constant physical force, weight, and environment without sliding.
Q : Are there standard methods for lasting adhesion testing?
A : Yes, there are very standardized procedures followed universally to conduct tests for adhesive bond strength or static shear/holding power tests. The purpose of these tests is that, through such standardized procedures, the results of the adhesive bond strength test conducted in the laboratory can be considered valid from a legal perspective.
