Choosing the Right Adhesives for Pressure Sensitive Tapes

The three adhesives commonly used for pressure sensitive tapes and labels are rubber, acrylic, and silicone. Each of these adhesives have unique characteristics that make them ideal for specific applications. When considering which is right for your job, environment is the most important factor.

It’s also crucial to determine type of surface the tape will be applied to, as well as exposure to heat, UV light, and solvents or plasticizers.

Rubber Adhesives

Most rubber adhesives are good for temperature applications of 120 degrees. However, some synthetic rubber adhesives can be used at 200 degrees. These adhesives  do tend to break down over time, especially when exposed to UV light. Rubber adhesives adhere well to low surface energy materials,  have  good quick stick and are solvent resistant.

Acrylic Adhesives

Acrylic adhesives are equipped to handle temperatures from 350 to 400 degrees. These adhesives have a high bond strength to a variety of surfaces and resist UV light and outdoor elements well. Regardless of your application, there are many acrylic adhesive options that make them durable for various projects.

Silicone Adhesives

Silicone adhesives are popular for silicone release surfaces and in environments that have continuous temperatures of up to 500 degrees. To give you an example, high temperature substrates, including PTFE and polyimide are often coated with silicone adhesives. Silicone adhesives are also used to coat polyesters and splice siliconized release paper used on labels and double-sided tapes.