Multiple speed peel testing for the assessment of adhesive tapes

Meeting deadlines is likely to be critical in your operation. So, if high volume, repetitive testing is causing a bottleneck, investment in automation may be a business imperative.

Such investment may be justified for a number of reasons, all directly impacting your laboratory's contribution to profit.

You could benefit from automated multiple peel speed assessment of 90° peel characteristics of single adhesive strips, using a revolutionary new measurement system from Stable Micro Systems.

What’s the testing solution?
The recently-launched Automated Linear Indexing System (ALIS) integrates seamlessly with the TA.XTplus texture analyser, with quick, easy set-up and sample mounting. This versatile system facilitates texture analysis automation, enabling the rapid loading of multiple test samples and removing the need for constant user supervision during tests.

With the system in use, the multiple test specimens are located in custom-designed support plates. Then, with prompted steps, testing conditions are set, tests performed, and results reported with little or no operator involvement. Skilled technicians are then freed up to perform more sophisticated tasks while accurate, repeatable testing information is generated automatically. Automation of the testing process increases productivity, eliminates operator error and improves operator safety.

The latest version of Stable Micro Systems’ Exponent software provides a simple interface for setting parameters and analysing results. It features a ‘batch testing’ window, which facilitates a multiple testing protocol that moves the platform in either direction in variable shorter or longer distances.

While enabling multiple tests of each sample, this protocol also provides the ability to carry out a 90 degree peel test comprising multiple speed elements. This is of particular interest to developers in the adhesives industry; since assessment of adhesive peel at any particular speed would normally require one complete test, the ALIS method offers the clear advantage of faster sample throughput; and crucially, the effect of the speed variations is shown and analysed within one graph. 

To prepare for testing, the user applies the adhesive sample strip to the sample platform using a controlled application technique. Next, the end of the strip is attached to the texture analyser arm using a tensile grip. Finally, for each section of the test, the peel distance and speed at each distance (from 0.01 to 40mm/s) is chosen, the settings for these operator-defined stages being configured into a single test.

During the test, the sample strip is peeled continuously, but with a change of speed as each defined distance is reached. Force, distance and time results are plotted onto a graph, with a macro applied to the graph analysing the peel data for each test stage.

In addition, the facility to add customisable operator prompts allows any necessary warning messages or instructions to the user to be provided.

This testing solution is just one example of methods and equipment available for the testing of adhesives and adhesive tapes. To view more examples, visit our page detailing Adhesive Applications.