Pressure Sensitive Adhesives: What You Need To Know

You might have heard about pressure sensitive adhesives lately… and there’s a good reason for that. Learn more with tips from Conversion Technologies International.

How do pressure sensitive adhesives work?

What makes a pressure sensitive adhesive different from its classic alternative is in it’s name itself: the pressure. You activate the adhesive by applying pressure, rather than by heating the product, exposing it to water, or other typical triggers. Think of an adhesive you’ll rub against a surface, taking advantage of a permanently tacky “side”. There’s always a degree of elasticity with these adhesives, but there’s an additional viscoelasticity built into pressure sensitive adhesives. This, combined with their strength, means we can rely on these adhesives to bear a great deal of weight.

Pressure sensitive adhesives are only activated when you apply pressure, but they don’t require drying or curing time. This means they often require less time and effort than other adhesives in terms of application. However, each specific adhesive may come with different requirements.

Some of the most common types of pressure sensitive adhesives include:

• Duct tape
• Masking tape
• Thermal management tape
• Electrical tape
• Packing tape
• Stick-to-skin tape
• EMI/RFI tape
• Sealing tape

We’ll delve into the different qualities of some common adhesives later. For now, it’s important that you know not only about the adhesives themselves, but what makes them superior.

What are the benefits of pressure sensitive adhesives?

The benefits of pressure sensitive adhesives are numerous. There’s a reason why these adhesives are some of the most easy-to-find on the market. They work, and they’re easier to use than some of the more complex adhesives.

When you think of the benefits of using these adhesives, consider their simple application. You don’t have to overthink the process or go through different steps. You just have to apply the adhesive, activate it with pressure, and move from there. Typically, you can do so by hand or with a machine. It’s much less messy, and it’s usually less risky than other adhesives. There’s no need to worry about chemical solutions, volatile components, or heat-sensitive issues. You can just activate the adhesives with pressure and move on from there.

These adhesives are all rather versatile, which is a huge reason why third-party manufacturers like CTI appreciate them. These adhesives can bond to everything from wood to glass, plus metal and plastic. In some cases, they can also be skin-safe—think about band-aids!

There’s a cleanness to these pressure sensitive adhesives. When bonding products with components like bolts and screws, we affect the aesthetic. This is much less of a concern with a PSA. It smoothly blends into the product to which we apply it, and maintains an overall lightness.

We can’t ignore the overall performance of the product. It lasts, offering both sealing and insulation. Additionally, it muffles sound and vibration, while lasting for the long term. One of the reasons why it lasts is that it’s more uniform than a typical glue. As we spread glue across a substrate, there’s always the risk of unevenness. That’s not so with pressure sensitive adhesive polymers.

What is the difference between pressure-sensitive adhesive and contact adhesive?

The main differences between these pressure sensitives adhesive and contact adhesives is in the application. We can apply products like pressure sensitive tape easily and quickly. On the other hand, contact adhesives require a few steps. You must apply the adhesive to two different surfaces, allowing it to dry until tacky. We then press the surfaces together, which actives the adhesive much like pressure activates their alternative.

Furthermore, contact adhesives dry fully in a different way. This means they might outlast pressure sensitive adhesives. But keep in mind, you don’t need this degree of lasting power for every product. Acrylic pressure sensitive adhesives, for example, won’t always be the answer. But having the option is important.

Frequently Asked Questions

Curious about what else working with pressure sensitive adhesives entails? Check out these quick questions.

Do I have to manufacture or apply pressure sensitive adhesive products in-house?

No, you don’t have to handle pressure sensitive adhesives in-house—in fact, you can outsource much of your manufacturing needs. This is fairly common within the adhesive industry. Third-party manufacturing companies handle a wide variety of adhesive needs. Regardless of what you want to produce, we’re ready to help you. Outsourcing can make manufacturing more affordable, as well as more convenient.

It’s also a great way of ensuring you don’t have to invest in permanent employees, equipment, and long-term facilities for processes you might not require a year from now. As your business evolves, third-parties allow you a degree of flexibility you don’t get through in-house manufacturing.

Which industries use pressure sensitive adhesives?

A wide variety of industries rely on pressure sensitive adhesive products. Consider the packing industry, which utilizes tapes on an everyday basis. Think too about seals for electronic components and flooring, as well as protective sealants. It’s quite common for the medical and automotive industries to use these adhesives. Ultimately, the demand for these adhesives is broad enough to justify its prevalence.

What are the main alternatives to pressure sensitive adhesives?

Aside from contact adhesives, some of the main alternatives to pressure sensitive adhesive include:

• Liquid adhesives
• Reactive adhesives
• Hot melts
• Non-adhesive products like metal components

What comes next?

It’s simple: We recommend getting in touch with CTI! Contact us here, or call us at 419-924-5566. Get your questions answered—and explore further.