ABSTRACT
As in the case of many other fi nished products, a wide range of test methods were developed for pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA)-based labels, tapes, and coatings. A number of organizations such as FINAT, AFERA, PSTC, and TLMI have established (standard) test methods that are widely used in the industry, although there remain signifi cant differences between the various methods used. Th ese methods provide a good basis for the evaluation of adhesives, but some modifi cations or additional tests are required when testing materials for specifi c applications. Th erefore, the principal PSA manufacturers and converters have developed their own methodology. It is not the aim of this chapter to discuss the standardized PSA testing methods in detail. It is of greater interest to describe here the special methods worked out for special end uses or specifi c PSA applications. For a pressure-sensitive product (PSP) manufacturer, the properties of the liquid adhesive, its coating behavior, and the PSP performance characteristics are more important. From the point of view of methodology, these areas diff er signifi cantly.
