Is Your Adhesive Not Sticking? Find Out Why in 5 Points

No two projects are alike. Some adhesives have unique technical characteristics that make them particularly suitable for certain applications. The choice of adhesive depends on your project and your specific needs. We have all been faced with a non-sticky tape. We understand that this is a frustrating situation. Most of the time, poor storage and use of it is the cause. There can be several reasons for this. Some of them are: 

1. Conservation

If you use the same tape as usual, on the same surface, under the same conditions, and it no longer sticks, it may be time to change the roll!

All adhesives have a limited shelf life. In general, it varies between 12 and 24 months. Beyond this period, their performance level decreases and can cause a loss of adhesion on certain surfaces.

2. Application surface

An application surface (wood, PVC, steel, etc.) has several characteristics that are specific to it. These can have an impact on the use and effectiveness of an adhesive and can even be used for multiple purposes. This is why the application surface is an important criterion to take into account in order to choose the right product.

The appearance of the surface (rough, smooth, damp, porous, etc.) may also facilitate or not the adhesion of your product. Some tapes require a smooth surface to adhere properly. Others are specially designed to offer excellent adhesion on so-called difficult surfaces.

You will almost always get better results if the application surface is dry and clean, that is, free of dirt, dust or grease. However, if cleaning is not an option, a tape with strong adhesion will always be effective even on dirty or dusty surfaces.

3. Handling

Your surface is ready, but what about you? If you apply the tape manually, be sure to wash your hands. If they are wet, or greasy after working on machines or using cosmetic products, this can affect the effectiveness of the product.

4. Application

Most adhesive tapes are pressure sensitive. This means that enough pressure is necessary so that they do not come off. It is also not recommended to pull on the tape during its application at the risk of deforming it and that it does not adhere perfectly to the surface, which is particularly the case with PVC tapes.

5. The temperature

It is advisable to keep the adhesive and apply it at room temperature. If the temperature is too low, it will not stick. On the contrary, if you are lucky enough to live in a very sunny area, with a high temperature, this will cause the glue to melt and deteriorate its performance. Choosing ribbons resistant to extreme temperatures, such as frost and very hot weather, avoids this inconvenience.

Statistics show that in 2014, the demand for adhesives and sealants in North America was 3.1 million metric tons. Adhesion testing is often associated with adhesives, tape, sealants, laminates, electronics, cosmetics, medical device packaging, general packaging seal strength and applications where bond strength measurement is critical for research and quality control applications. ChemInstruments offers adhesion testers for you to check the adhesiveness of any product.