Stringiness morphology for crosslinked polyacrylic pressure-sensitive adhesives measured by peel testing with constant rate

To clarify the formation mechanism of front frame-type morphology, the stringiness of crosslinked random copolymers of poly(n-butyl acrylate-acrylic acid) during a 180° peel test with a constant tensile rate was examined for various crosslinker contents and rates using a quartz adherend. Cohesive failure occurred for lower crosslinker content and rate, whereas interfacial failure with sawtooth-type stringiness without a frame was observed for higher crosslinker content and rate. Front frame-type stringiness was formed at the boundary of cohesive and interfacial failures. To clarify the formation mechanism, observation was conducted from the start of peel test until the equilibrium state. The sawtooth-type stringiness with branches first formed at the tip. The adjoining branches were connected and the 2D frame was formed only on the adherend surface. The formed 2D frame developed toward the 3D walls and the front frame-type was then completed. This is caused by the surface tension that acts to restrain the increase in the surface area. However, the surface area of the front frame-type morphology was larger than the no frame-type. The larger absorption of peeling stress by the formation of this morphology is expected to contribute to peel strength improvement.