Application
Usually adhesive tapes require no more than finger or roller pressure to ensure bonding. Depending on your requirements, tapes can be integrated into an automated or manual assembly process. A tape manufacturer can advise you of the benefits, address your challenges and eliminate your concerns regarding the process(es) that would best fit your assembly needs.
Bonding should usually take place at a moderate temperature (about 20-22°C). In some cases, higher temperatures can decrease adhesive viscosity, accelerate adhesive flow and improve wetting, all leading to achieving full bond strength quicker. Bonding at very high temperatures, however, can cause stretching, and at very low temperatures can reduce adhesive contact (wetting out).
To ensure maximum initial adhesion, pressure should be applied evenly to the tape with fingers or a hand roller to accelerate adhesive flow, improve surface wetting and to eliminate trapped air. Adhesion builds with time. While adhesive tape bonds can normally be handled immediately, up to 72 hours may be required to reach final adhesion values (depending on the product and room temperature). Acrylic tapes, for example, usually achieve maximum adhesion only after 72 hours of dwell time.
In most cases, heat, water, solvents or any other pre-treatment methods are not necessary. Because of the high level of adhesive cross-linking, many tapes (including some fastening tapes) continue to build adhesion beyond the 72-hour timeframe and reach maximum adhesion after seven to 15 days.
Remove liners just before use, trying not to touch the exposed adhesive. Liner presentations can be designed to avoid this problem.
Contact an Afera member company for more information