Adhesives create a strong bond between two or more surfaces, allowing them to stick together. Generally, they function through a combination of physical and chemical mechanisms. In many cases, these substances fill in the tiny irregularities present in the material exteriors. Meanwhile, some are intended to chemically react with the surfaces with which they come into touch.
This article will explore the basics of adhesive substances, encompassing their various types and essential considerations when choosing the most suitable kind.
Types of Adhesives
Different adhesive substances are available, each intended for specific applications and materials. The selection process usually considers the materials to be bonded, the bond strength, environmental conditions, and the preferred curing method. Below are some of the commonly used and popular types:
Acrylic
Acrylics cure relatively quickly at room temperature, allowing for efficient production and assembly processes. This makes them suitable for both porous and non-porous surfaces. They also offer good resistance to many chemicals, oils, and solvents.
Cyanoacrylate (Super Glue)
Super glue is a fast-acting material that joins when it comes into contact with surface moisture. It is excellent for bonding small parts, plastic, rubber, metal, and non-porous materials. Although super glue may make strong, clean connections, it may not work well under heavy loads or extreme temperatures.
Epoxy
Epoxy is well-known for its adaptability and high-performance bonding properties. It is made up of two main components: resin and hardener. When these are combined in the proper ratio, a chemical reaction occurs. This results in the development of a strong and long-lasting bond.
Polyurethane (PU)
PU adhesives offer excellent flexibility and elongation properties. This allows them to endure movements and vibrations without losing integrity, making them ideal for applications requiring flexibility. They provide strong bonds on various materials, including metals, plastics, wood, concrete, and composites.
Pressure-Sensitive
Pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) adhere when light pressure is applied and are commonly used in tapes, labels, and sticky notes. They also provide instant bonding and are easy to use without heat, water, or solvents.
Silicone
Silicone sealants have exceptional electrical insulating properties and are highly resistant to water and moisture. They are widely used in the construction industry for sealing gaps and joints in windows, doors, and other building components. They are also utilized in weatherproofing applications.
Factors To Consider During Adhesive Selection
Selecting the right adhesive for a particular application ensures a strong and durable bond. The following are several factors should be carefully considered during the selection process:
Substrate Materials
Understanding the composition and surface characteristics of the materials to be bonded is critical. For instance, porous materials have small pores that absorb liquids or gases. Hence, the sealant must be able to penetrate these voids and create a strong bond within the substrate. Conversely, it must bond through mechanical or chemical interlocking for non-porous materials.
Bond Strength Requirements
Different applications demand varying levels of bond strength to ensure the reliability and longevity of the bonded assembly. High-strength sealants are needed in the construction, aerospace, and automotive industries to provide exceptional force for significant loads and stresses. Meanwhile, certain applications involve materials that experience frequent movement or vibration. For such situations, more flexible bonds are necessary to accommodate these forces without causing the assembly to break.
Environmental Conditions
Environmental factors can significantly impact the adhesive’s properties, longevity, and effectiveness. For example, some substances may lose flexibility in high-temperature environments, while others may become brittle in low-temperature conditions. In addition, moisture-sensitive sealants may experience reduced bond strength or slow curing when exposed to high humidity.
Curing Time and Process
The curing time is the duration required for the adhesive to reach its full strength and develop a robust bond. Rapid-curing substances offer shorter assembly times as they achieve sufficient force quickly. On the other hand, the curing process refers to the chemical or physical changes that occur after the sealant is applied.
Other factors to consider during the selection process include the following:
Application method
Service life and longevity
Ease of use
Cost
Strata-Tac for High-Quality Adhesive Coating Services
At Strata-Tac, we take pride in our advanced capabilities to produce various adhesive coatings, ensuring our customers receive high-quality services. Our state-of-the-art facility has multiple coating lines and methods, enabling us to precisely and efficiently cater to different application needs. We boast two cutting-edge 61-inch reverse and offset gravure coating lines and a 40-inch UV coating line.
Posted by drew.s on | Comments Off on What is a Piggyback Label?
Piggyback labels are widely used for a variety of applications. Below, we will go in depth on their construction, applications, and a few examples of the types of piggyback labels available.
Construction
Piggyback labels are effectively two labels combined into a single construction. As illustrated in the figure below, a piggyback label consists of a face stock on top of two release liners. The liner in the middle is often referred to as the “midliner”. The liner at the bottom is referred to as the “baseliner”. Depending on the application, the midliner and linermay be film or paper. The adhesives may also differ. A common version of this is a permanent adhesive on the bottom and a removable adhesive on the facestock.
Applications
Piggyback labels are widely used in the logistics industry, where piggyback labels enable easy and accurate asset tracing. They are also used in the in promotional and marketing applications in the form of coupons and direct mail campaigns. In healthcare and similar markets, piggyback labels are used for regulatory purposes where chain-of-custody is paramount.
Piggyback Examples
Here are some examples of Strata-Tac’s piggyback constructions. For more information on a specific product, click on the product code to view the online spec sheet.
PBIJF088: 3.5 Mil Matte Inkjet Paper Piggyback with Permanent Adhesive & 1.5 Mil Polyester (PET) MidLiner
PBWX051: 2 Mil Matte Laser White Polyester (PET) Piggyback with Permanent Adhesive
PBGLR051: 2 Mil Gloss Laser Clear Polyester (PET) Piggyback with Ultra-Removable Adhesive
PBLXQHI083: 60# Latex Piggyback with Blood Bag Adhesive & Imaging MidLiner
Click here to view more of our piggyback constructions.
Piggy “Half-Back”
A piggy half-back, oran incomplete piggyback product. It only consists of the midliner & baseliner with the adhesive between the two. The face stock and adhesive donot (yet) exist on a half back. Label converters can apply a label stock of their choosing to complete the piggyback construction, giving the converter the ability to offer more piggyback options to their customers.Piggybacks can have a film midliner, such as OLSI037, or a paper midliner like PHB143.
Custom Piggybacks
Strata-Tac offers custom piggyback label stocks. This can include using specific topcoats, face stocks, adhesives, liners, and even custom adhesive patterns to fit your application. If you would like to discuss a specific application, please fill our our custom product builder, or call us at 630-879-9388.
Posted by drew.s on | Comments Off on Laser Printable Overlaminates
Strata-Tac’s laser printable overlaminates are used to create integrated cards or labels on press. The clear polyester film provides both tear and water resistance. A laser printable topcoat is added to allow for variable data printing. Matte, gloss, and semi-gloss versions are available. This product line features a 42# CCK release liner. Thicker and thinner films are available upon request.
All of these products can be coupled with Strata-Tac’s back laminates to create dry peel integrated cards.
Posted by drew.s on | Comments Off on Strata-Tac Layflat Vinyls
Vinyl labels are popular for their excellent durability, water resistance, and conformability. They excel in a wide range of applications, such as:
Shelf markers
Floor graphics
Drum labels
Apparel labels
Bumper Stickers
…And more!
Strata-Tac produces clear and white vinyl label stock with in permanent, removable, and ultra-removable adhesives. We use plasticizer-resistant adhesives designed for use on PVC vinyls. We can also add a topcoat for aqueous inkjet printing. Our layflat liners are printable via flexo, offset, and even some laser. The clay coat allows for optimal feeding inside production digital equipment.
Popular Strata-Tac Vinyl Products (Click a product to view the online spec sheet)
Posted by drew.s on | Comments Off on Custom Adhesive Patterns
Strata-Tac’s capabilities allow us to create custom patterns with dry lanes. These dry lanes can serve many different purposes depending on the application, such as creating lift-edges for easy removal or reducing adhesive build-up when die cutting.
In order to ensure product accuracy, custom patterns will require a Pattern Adhesive Design Form to be filled out. The Strata-Tac technical team will review and either approve or make recommendations based on their years of experience pattern coating. After a pattern is approved, the pattern is drawn in a CAD software, rechecked for accuracy, and then CNC machined for extreme precision. The pattern blade itself is then measured to confirm it is in spec. Once we have your pattern, we will keep it for use on your future orders.
Each custom pattern job is just that, custom. Because each construction is unique, Strata-Tac’s technical team may have different recommendations depending on the pattern and construction. Our team will collaborate with you to make application-driven products.
Pattern Design Tips:
Coating the pattern on a film substrate will produce cleaner dry lanes. The film can be either the release liner or the face stock, but we recommend using film for at least one side of the construction.
Symmetrical patterns tend to be easier to convert than asymmetrical rolls.
For patterns with dry zones wider than 1”, perforations may be required to mitigate air buildup in dry lanes.
Pattern tolerance is 1/16”. The limiting factor here is usually in keeping the slitter in register with the pattern. The pattern of adhesive and non-adhesive zones itself typically does not vary at all but the slitting tolerance is ±1/16”
We use an additive that glows under a black light in the adhesive to guide our slitting process. This facilitates holding registration on the slitter to the pattern itself rather than guiding by the edge of the roll.
Posted by drew.s on | Comments Off on Piggyback & Half-Back Constructions
Piggyback labels are functional and innovative label designs, used in a broad range of markets such as product tracking, shipping return labels and promotional labels. Piggyback labels can be used to increase both work efficiency and information accuracy.
Posted by drew.s on | Comments Off on New Website Launch
We are excited to announce the launch of our new website! Strata-Tac’s new site offers a more user-friendly experience when searching for products. The new site allows you to search and browse our current products or start from scratch and simply build your own. Check out our Product Navigator here.
Posted by Ralph on | Comments Off on Medical and Safety Products
Choosing the right tool for the job is critical when it comes to medical and safety label products.
Strata-Tac outlines a variety of options in our Medical and Safety Products PDF. Choose from a range of films including Polypropylene, Polyester and Vinyl for applications that include hospital wristbands, blood bag labels and antimicrobial protective films.
Posted by Ralph on | Comments Off on Got a Sticky Problem?
Got a sticky problem?
Stata-Tac excels at creating solutions to challenging applications in the self-adhesive industry. We have the experience, the right people and an analytical problem-solving approach. Our case studies bear this out.
Contact our Sales Team and get the ball rolling on the Strata-Tac approach to providing the solutions you seek.
Posted by Ralph on | Comments Off on History of Bumper Stickers
Bumper stickers have been around ever since pressure sensitive labels were invented in the 1940’s.
They were the original “tweets”, short and sweet messages that got the word out. Strata-Tac’s fine tuned approach to vinyl can help you get the word out effectively on shelf labels, car window stickers, window labels and bumper stickers.
Choosing the right tool for the job is critical when it comes to medical and safety label products.
Got a sticky problem?
Bumper stickers have been around ever since pressure sensitive labels were invented in the 1940’s.