Tack, or quick stick, is one of the most important properties of pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs). The definition of tack is the property of a pressure sensitive adhesive that allows it to adhere to a surface under very slight pressure. It is determined by the ability of the adhesive to quickly wet the surface it contacts.

There are four standard test methods that are used globally to evaluate a pressure sensitive hot melt’s tack. They are Loop Tack, Probe Tack, Rolling Ball Tack, and Quick Stick. Although these test methods do not result in the identical values for a fixed PSA, they can distinguish relative adhesion performance for different PSAs. The descriptions of various test methods are listed below.

Loop tack has recently become the most reliable test method because it can generate reproducible and consistent data. Most tape and label manufacturers now prefer…. Read Article >>

Tack of Pressure Sensitive Adhesives (PSAs) - by Pierce Covert, Glue Machinery Corporation