Ashland introduces new test for pressure-sensitive adhesives' cohesive strength

Ashland introduces new test for pressure-sensitive adhesives' cohesive strength

DUBLIN, Ohio – A newly developed technique used to measure cohesive strength in pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) will be presented by Ashland Performance Materials, a commercial unit of Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH), at the Pressure Sensitive Tape Council’s (PSTC) Week of Learning, May 9 – 13 in Orlando, Fla.

Ashland Performance Materials scientists developed a stress-relaxation method for calculating the cohesive strength of PSAs that offers significant advantages over other techniques. Lars Kilian, Ph.D., senior staff scientist, and Charles M. Lewis, Ph.D., technical director, investigated and developed a new process that uses a texture analyzer to measure stress relaxation over a specific time, enabling the force retention (FR) value to be calculated. “This technique provides swift and reproducible measurements of cohesive strength directly from 1-mil PSA-coated stock,” said Kilian.

“Methods used prior to this discovery were often time-consuming, highly dependent on the operator’s skill and had poor repeatability on subsequent tests,” said Lewis. The results from Kilian’s and Lewis’ findings show, in part, that the texture-analyzer method eliminates these problems and that FR could be a predictor for key performance attributes, such as PSA converting ability.

In addition to presenting this new testing method, Ashland will introduce a number of new products at the PSTC Week of Learning conference. Visit booth #1 to find out more about Ashland’s research and its new specially designed products for the PSA market. Please contact an Ashland sales representative or product manager for any questions about products or product formulations.

Ashland Performance Materials is the global leader in unsaturated polyester resins and vinyl ester resins. In addition, it provides customers with leading technologies in gelcoats, pressure-sensitive and structural adhesives, and metal casting consumables and design services.

In more than 100 countries, the people of Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) provide the specialty chemicals, technologies and insights to help customers create new and improved products for today and sustainable solutions for tomorrow. Our chemistry is at work every day in a wide variety of markets and applications, including architectural coatings, automotive, construction, energy, personal care, pharmaceutical, tissue and towel, and water treatment. Visit www.ashland.com to see the innovations we offer through our four commercial units – Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients, Ashland Hercules Water Technologies, Ashland Performance Materials and Ashland Consumer Markets (Valvoline).

- 0 -