Using of carbon nanotubes and nano carbon black for electrical conductivity adjustment of pressure-sensitive adhesives

Electrical conductive pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) are not commercially available on the market. The development of these PSAs requires special suitable self-adhesive polymers and their modification through adding of electrical conductive fillers. From the evaluated PSAs the best performances were achieved using acrylic PSAs. Common fillers for electrical conductivity are carbon nano-fillers, metallic powders like copper, aluminum, nickel, silver or gold. Acrylic PSA containing electrical conductivity fillers are applied for the manufacturing of diverse technical self-adhesive products, such as broadest line of electrically conductive sensitive double-sided, one-sided and carrier-free tapes. After addition of electrical conductive fillers the main typical properties for pressure-sensitive adhesives like tack and peel adhesion are deteriorated. In the last time the research and development on the area of nano carbon black or nanotubes as electrical conductive fillers is observed.     

New Developments in the Area of Solvent-Borne Acrylic Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives

Since their introduction half a century ago, acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesives have been successfully applied in many fields. In the last fifty years or so, acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) have made tremendous strides from what was virtually a black art to what is now a sophisticated science. So much so that larger manufacturers of pressure-sensitive adhesives and even their polymer suppliers now use very expensive equipment to study pressure-sensitive adhesive behavior. The three properties which are useful in characterizing the nature of pressure-sensitive adhesives are tack, peel (adhesion) and shear (cohesion). The first measures the adhesive's ability to adhere quickly, the second its ability to resist removal by peeling, and the third its ability to hold in position when shear forces are exerted. The performances of pressure-sensitive adhesives, such as tack, peel and shear, based on polyacrylates synthesized through co-polymerization of acrylate monomers and formulated in organic solvents mixtures are, to a large degree, determined by the molecular weight of acrylic copolymer, polymerization method and especially by the type and quantity of the crosslinking agent added to the PSA. Newly developed solvent-borne PSAs are used in protective foils, removable and repositionable self-adhesive products, water-soluble PSAs and water-dispersible self-adhesive products, photoreactive UV-crosslinkable self-adhesive tapes, and dual-crosslinkable PSAs for self-adhesive tapes with post-crosslinking potential characterized by enhanced cohesion at higher temperatures. The mentioned water-soluble PSAs, water-dispersible self-adhesive products and photoreactive UV-crosslinkable self-adhesives are synthesized in organic solvents as solvent-borne acrylic PSAs.     

Sustainable isosorbide‐based transparent pressure‐sensitive adhesives for optically clear adhesive and their adhesion performance

A biomass‐based isosorbide acrylate (ISA) was synthesized in a one‐pot reaction at low temperature with a quite slow dropwise technique using a syringe pump. Using the ISA monomer, UV‐cured transparent acrylic pressure‐sensitive adhesives (PSAs) composed of semi‐interpenetrating networks were prepared. The effect of ISA on the adhesion performance of the resulting acrylic PSAs was investigated by changing the ISA content, while fixing the mole ratio between 2‐ethylhexyl acrylate and 2‐hydroxyethyl acrylate in the PSAs. The prepared acrylic PSAs, with ISA content ranging from 3.2 to 14.3 mol%, were evaluated in terms of 180° peel strength, probe tack, static shear testing and optical properties. Increasing the ISA content in the acrylic PSAs improved the adhesion properties, such as 180° peel strength (0.25–0.32 N/25 mm), shear holding power (0.086–0.023 mm) and probe tack (1.21–2.26 N). Dynamic mechanical analysis indicated that ISA is a good candidate monomer, playing the role of adhesion promoter and hard monomer in the acrylic PSAs. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry     

Adhesion Performance and Thermal Stability of Fluorinated PSAs as a Crosslinking System

The use of pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs) is becoming increasingly popular in many industrial fields. In the automobile industry the main reasons for using PSAs are that they reduce the overall weight of the vehicles and because they are easy to use. However, in the case of acrylic PSAs, the non-crosslinked linear chains results in low thermal stability. In this study, a fluorinated acrylic pressure sensitive adhesive was synthesized under UV irradiation and crosslinking was applied to the linear chain of acrylic PSAs to improve the thermal stability. The adhesion performance was evaluated by analyzing the peel strength, probe tack and shear adhesion failure temperature (SAFT) as a function of the type of crosslinking system. In particular, the peel strength and probe tack were measured at 25, 50 and 80°C. The viscoelastic properties, which were measured using an advanced rheometric expansion system (ARES), revealed a proper balance between the thermal stability and adhesion performance.     

UV-initiated crosslinking of photoreactive acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesives using excimer-laser

UV-initiated crosslinking technology is well established in the market and allows the production of a wide range of ultraviolet (UV)-crosslinkable pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSA) with interesting features. The balance between such properties as adhesive and cohesive strengths within the crosslinked self-adhesive coatings is critical for their performance. The UV crosslinking of acrylic PSA, especially for following properties: tack, peel adhesion, and shear strength of self-adhesive polymer layers, has been investigated using UV excimer-laser and UV lamp as UV sources. It was observed that after UV crosslinking of acrylic PSA using excimer-laser in comparison with typical UV lamp, high-quality PSA products with excellent properties, such as tack, peel adhesion, shear strength, and shrinkage were received.     

Wettability and adhesion characteristics of photo-crosslinkable adhesives for thin silicon wafer

Acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) have many applications in the processes of electronic industry. As the silicon wafers become thinner, the acrylic PSAs need to show proper adhesion and better wettability on the thin wafer. The acrylic copolymers were synthesized by solution polymerization of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, and acrylic acid with AIBN as an initiator. Photo-crosslinkable PSAs were synthesized by reaction of the acrylic copolymers with glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and lauryl glycidyl ether (LGE). The adhesion performance of acrylic photo-crosslinkable PSAs was investigated based on wettability, probe tack, peel strength, cohesiveness, and viscoelastic properties. The adhesion characteristics varied significantly depending on the ratio of GMA to LGE in the photo-crosslinkable PSAs.     

Optical properties and adhesion performance of acrylic PSAs; influence of functionalized monomer and curing agent

Acrylic pressure–sensitive adhesives (PSAs) were synthesized by solution polymerization using zirconium carboxyethyl acrylate (ZrCEA) with methyl aziridine derivatives (MAZ) as a curing agent. The acrylic PSAs were characterized by Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy and gel contents. The viscoelastic properties of the acrylic PSAs were determined using an advanced rheometric expansion system. The adhesion performance of the acrylic PSAs was determined by measuring the probe tack, peel strength, shear adhesion failure temperature, and holding power. The optical properties of the acrylic PSAs were evaluated by the transmittance and refractive index. The results show that the adhesion performance and optical properties of the acrylic PSAs are influenced by the ZrCEA and MAZ content.     

UV-crosslinkable acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesives for industrial application

The focus of the development of UV-crosslinkable self-adhesive medical products is on one hand directed toward customer-oriented requirements such as tack, adhesion, cohesion, biocompatibility, and permeability for water vapor or air. The customer wants highly tolerable, breathable products, which are also characterized by very good skin and optimal release. On the other hand, the economic targets of medical products manufactures must be considered. Development in the area of UV-crosslinkable acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSA) for medical application describes the variety of acrylic composition, residue monomers content, quality control of peel adhesion level and repeating during the time, biocompatibility of the acrylic self-adhesive layers and their practical medical application. The new class of unsaturable copolymerizable photoinitiator, such as 4-acryloyloxy benzophenone was used for the synthesis of photoreactive UV-crosslinkable solvent-borne acrylic PSA. The properties of acrylic PSA were determined as well.     

Optical properties and adhesion performance of optically clear acrylic pressure sensitive adhesives using chelate metal acetylacetonate

Optically clear acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) with different co-monomers were synthesized. This study employed metal chelate aluminum acetylacetonate and zirconium acetylacetonate as curing agents. The optical properties of the acrylic PSAs were examined by UV–visible spectroscopy and a prism coupler. In addition, the adhesion performance was obtained by assessing the peel strength, the tack, and the shear adhesion failure temperature. The decrease in the adhesion performance may be related to a higher crosslinking density, which also resulted in a higher gel content.     

Application of selected 2-methylbenzothiazoles AS cationic photoreactive crosslinkers for pressure-sensitive adhesives based on acrylics

Since their introduction half a century ago, acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesives have been successfully applied in many fields. They are used in self-adhesive tapes, label signs, marking films and protective films as well as in medical pharmaceutical applications for plaster, in dermal dosage systems and in a wide range of biomedical electrodes. In the last 15 years or so, the UV technology, especially UV-crosslinking, is well established in the market and allows the production of UV-crosslinkable pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSA) based on acrylics with interesting performance. So much so that the larger manufacturers of pressure-sensitive adhesive materials and their suppliers now use very expensive equipment to study pressure-sensitive adhesive behavior: tack, peel adhesion and shear strength. The balance between adhesive and cohesive strength after the crosslinking process is very important and critical for properties of acrylic PSA in form of self-adhesive films. In this work the cationic UV-crosslinking of acrylic PSA containing epoxy groups in their structure and additionally cationic photoinitiators based on 2-methylbenzothiazoles as photoreactive crosslinkers have been investigated using UV-lamp as ultraviolet sources. The investigated acrylic PSA were synthesized from 80 wt% of butyl acrylate, and 20 wt% of glycidyl methacrylate. The use of selected photoreactive crosslinkers: 1,5-bis[N,N׳-(2-methylbenzothiazolium)]pentane diiodide and 1,10-bis[N,N׳-(2-methylbenzothiazolium)]decane diiodide allows manufacturing of high quality PSA materials with interesting properties, such as high tack, high peel adhesion, and excellent shear strength.     

Effect of side chain on wettability and adhesion performance of acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesives on thin silicon wafer

Acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) need to show proper adhesion and improved wettability on the silicon wafer as the wafer becomes thinner. The acrylic copolymers were synthesized by solution radical polymerization of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, and acrylic acid with AIBN as an initiator. Adhesion performance and wettability of acrylic PSAs were studied depending on the content of lauryl side chains and the degree of crosslinking. The introduction of lauryl side chain was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The adhesion performance of acrylic PSAs having lauryl side chain was investigated using contact angle, wettability, probe tack, peel strength, and cohesiveness tests. The wettability of acrylic PSAs was improved significantly with increasing the content of lauryl side chain.     

Effect of Temperature on Probe Tack Adhesion: Extension of the Dahlquist Criterion of Tack

At a molecular level adhesive joint strength of pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) is governed by the ratio between two generally conflicting factors: high energy of cohesive molecular interactions and large free volume. Increase in temperature leads to domination of the free volume contribution over the cohesive strength, affecting mechanisms of the debonding process, examined with a probe tack test. Linear viscoelastic properties and probe tack adhesion of five types of PSAs have been studied: polyisobutylene (PIB); acrylic, styrene-isoprene-styrene (SIS) triblock copolymer; hydrogen-bonded complex of high molecular weight poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone), PVP; with oligomeric poly(ethylene glycol), PEG; and plasticized polybase—polyacid polyelectrolyte complex (PEC). The transition from solid-like mechanism of debonding to ductile type of adhesive bond failure with fibrillation of adhesive layer has been established to occur for all examined PSAs under temperature increase within the range from ?20 to 80°C. The Dahlquist criterion of tack, which defines the value of the storage modulus, G′, below 0.1 MPa, featured for all the PSAs demonstrating maximum work of debonding, has been found to have a universal character and holds at corresponding temperatures for all the PSAs examined, including both typical and innovative adhesives. In addition to this adhesion predictor we have also established that for all the PSAs the transition from a solid–like debonding mechanism to a ductile type of debonding is observed in the range of G′ = 0.09–0.34 MPa. The value of the dissipation factor, tan δ, is also included in the analysis of correlation between linear viscoelasticity and probe tack behavior.     

Improvement in wettability of pressure‐sensitive adhesive on silicon wafer using crosslinking agent with siloxane groups

Acrylic copolymers are prepared by radical polymerization of 2‐ethylhexyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, and acrylic acid followed by crosslinking to manufacture the pressure‐sensitive adhesives (PSAs) for silicon wafer protection. Both higher reliability and wettability are required for the protective acrylic PSAs in the semiconductor processing applications. The siloxane linkages are introduced in the acrylic PSAs via crosslinking with siloxane‐containing crosslinking agent to modify the thermal and wetting properties of PSAs efficiently. The more efficient formation of crosslinked network structure was achieved with higher content of tetra‐functional crosslinking agent, and the surface energy of PSAs decreased significantly with increasing the content of siloxane linkage resulting in the improved areal wetting rate. The thermal stability of PSAs was also improved significantly by incorporation of siloxane linkages. The adhesion properties such as peel strength and probe tack of acrylic PSAs decreased significantly by increasing the content of either crosslinking agent or siloxane linkage. The acrylic PSA with siloxane group showed both satisfactory wetting and clean debonding properties for the optimal protection of thin silicon wafers. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

2-Ethylhexyl acrylate/4-acryloyloxy benzophenone copolymers as UV-crosslinkable pressure-sensitive adhesives

Summary It has been previously shown that copolymer of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate with an 4-acryloyloxy benzophenone can be used as PSA. This paper presents synthesis and application of solvent-based polymer system for the preparation of acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSA). 2-Ethylhexyl acrylate benzophenone copolymers, having molecular mass in the range of 120 000 to 380 000 Dalton were prepared by free-radical solution polymerization. These copolymers were tacky but possessed insufficient cohesive strength after UV-crosslinking to be useful as PSAs. These copolymers resulted in materials having a balance of cohesive and adhesive characteristics required of a good PSA. Some of the parameters affecting the pressure-sensitive adhesive properties of the copolymer are: amount of the 4-acryloyloxy, molecular mass of the polymeric components, UV-reactivity and such properties like tack, peel adhesion and cohesion.     

Adhesion performance of UV-cured semi-IPN structure acrylic pressure sensitive adhesives

UV-curable solvent-free pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs) are gaining importance in the area of adhesives because of increasing environmental concerns and the goal to reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in work areas and consumption places. These PSAs have advantages such as low emission of VOCs, a solvent-free process, a fast producton rate at ambient temperature and only a modest requirement for operating space. In this study, UV-curable PSAs were investigated by measuring their adhesion performance in terms of probe tack, peel strength, shear adhesion failure temperature (SAFT) and holding power. PSAs were synthesized from 2-ethylhexyl acrylate (2-EHA), acrylic acid (AA) and vinyl acetate (VAc), using variations in AA concentration to control the glass transition temperature (T _g) of the prepared PSAs. In addition, two types of trifunctional monomers, trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA) and trimethylolpropane ethoxylated (6) triacrylate (TMPEOTA), which have different chain lengths, were used to form semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) structures after UV exposure. With increasing AA concentration in the PSAs, both the T _g and viscosity increased. Also, probe tack and SAFT increased, but peel strength decreased. After UV irradiation, probe tack decreased, and SAFT and peel strength increased as AA concentration increased in the PSAs. In most cases, cohesive failure changed to interfacial failure after UV exposure. Also, TMPTA increased the cohesion of PSAs; however, TMPEOTA affected the mobility of PSAs due to the different chain lengths of the two types of trifunctional monomer in a different way. The increase of TMPEOTA content diminished the cohesion of PSAs. Consequently, the adhesion performance of the PSAs was closely related to the T _g of the PSAs, and the two types of trifunctional monomer showed different adhesion performances.     

Crosslinking of pressure sensitive adhesive based on water‐borne acrylate

This publication shows how the kind of crosslinking agents and their contents influence important properties of acrylic based pressure‐sensitive adhesive (PSA) dispersions such as tack, adhesion and cohesion. Synthesized PSAs based on acrylic polymers, containing 2‐ethylhexyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, vinyl acetate, styrene and acrylic acid are used in the preparation of self‐adhesive dispersions used as coating of polyethylene foams and poly(vinyl chloride) and polyester foils. © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Novel pyridinium photoinitiators and their applications for the ultraviolet crosslinking of acrylic pressure‐sensitive adhesives

The demand for ultraviolet (UV)‐crosslinkable pressure‐sensitive adhesives (PSAs) has rapidly been increasing. A variety of different PSAs containing new photoreactive pyridinium derivatives have been evaluated for their effectiveness in improving adhesion and cohesion in UV‐crosslinkable PSAs. PSAs have been evaluated with respect to the tack, peel adhesion, and shear strength. This article summarizes the breakthrough technology used to achieve better performances in UV‐crosslinkable acrylic PSAs. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007     

Fabrication of optically clear acrylic pressure–sensitive adhesive by photo-polymerization: UV-curing behavior,adhesion performance,and optical properties

Acrylic pressure–sensitive adhesives (PSAs) with 2-phenoxy ethyl acrylate (PEA) were polymerized using UV-curing technology. This study examined the effects of PEA content and UV dose. The photo-polymerization behavior of the pre-polymer was examined by viscosity measurements, real-time Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and photo-differential scanning calorimetry. The curing behaviors of the acrylic PSAs were investigated by shrinkage test, a modular advanced rheometer system, and gel content. differential scanning calorimetry and Advanced Rheometric Expansion System were used to characterize the acrylic PSAs. Adhesion performances were measured by probe tack, peel strength, and shear adhesion failure temperature. The optical properties of acrylic PSAs were examined by UV–visible spectroscopy and prism coupler. The PEA content had a larger effect on improving the optical properties, than did the UV dose. The transmittances of the acrylic PSAs with <75% PEA were >95%. The refractive indices of the acrylic PSAs increased with increasing PEA content, due to its high refractive index, >1.5, which affected the overall refractive indices, particularly in the visible region.     

Eco-friendly UV-curable pressure sensitive adhesives containing acryloyl derivatives of monosaccharides and their adhesive performances

Two different monosaccharide acrylate monomers were designed and synthesized from glucose and galactose, and were then used to prepare transparent acrylic pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs) comprised of semi-interpenetrated structured polymer networks. The effects of the monosaccharide architecture in the acrylate monomers on the adhesive performance of the acrylic PSAs were investigated. Prepared UV-curable acrylic PSA syrups were characterized and the optical properties of the acrylic PSAs were also examined. All of the acrylic PSAs exhibited high transparency in the visible wavelength region. With increasing monosaccharide acrylate concentration in the acrylic PSAs, adhesive performances such as the peel strength, cohesion strength, and probe tack were increased. However, there was no difference in their adhesive performances regardless of the different chemical structures of monosaccharide acrylate monomers.     

Influence of iron carbide filler in carbon matrix on the adhesive properties of acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesives

Inorganic fillers can improve coating properties, such as scratch resistance and UV stability and can significantly enhance the fillers usability in coatings and realize new market opportunities. In the pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) technology the inorganic fillers are used to change the very important properties of pressure-sensitive adhesives, such as tack, peel adhesion and shear strength. In the current study, the above mentioned properties of synthesized acrylic PSA using iron carbide filler in carbon matrix were investigated. The acrylic PSA containing iron carbide filler (Fe₃C,C) was examined with SEM/EDX technique and the PSA adhesive and cohesive properties were examined by using a special strength machine according to AFERA tests. The conclusion is that the application of this kind of fillers allows the manufacturing of self-adhesive materials with moderate adhesiveness and very good removability.