Pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSA) stay permanently tacky without curing and bond to a surface under light pressure. Labels and tapes are the best-known examples.
How do they work?
A PSA is viscoelastic: it flows like a liquid to wet the surface and resists load like a solid. Bonding happens through contact and pressure alone, without a chemical reaction.
Three key properties
| Property | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Tack | How quickly it grabs on light contact |
| Peel | Force needed to peel it from a surface |
| Shear | Resistance to sliding under constant load |
These properties interact: a formulation with very high tack usually has lower shear. The balance is set for the application.
PSA types
- Hot melt PSA: Fast, solvent-free; labels and hygiene products.
- Dispersion (acrylic) PSA: Good UV and ageing resistance.
- Solvent-based PSA: Special tapes requiring high performance.
Permanent or removable?
Depending on formulation, a PSA can be permanent, removable or repositionable. When choosing, consider surface type (low-energy plastics are difficult), temperature range and expected service life together.
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