The second edition of this best-selling comprehensive resource investigates and summarizes the science and technology behind pressure-sensitive products. Its primary focus is on labels — the most complex self-adhesive laminate — but the discussion is liberally extended to other applications as well. The book explores current industrial problems, investigating them systematically, and then presenting practical solutions based on the underlying principles. The book is extensively indexed and includes over 1,900 bibliographic citations. Highly recommended.

From the Preface: “...In the past decade advances in contact physics and mechanics have allowed us to correlate the macroscopic aspects of adhesive bonding and debonding with the macromolecular basis of the viscoelastomers. The most important elements of this progress are described in a separate section of the revised book. Developments in the practical examination and quality assurance of pressure-sensitive products required an enlarged discussion and reformulation of Chapter 10...Environmental considerations made necessary the discussion of recycling methods, and biodegradability of raw materials, product components, and pressure-sensitive products. Other scientific and industrial advances (i.e., new raw materials and improved coating technology) are also included in the second edition...”

Target Audience: Physical, surface, colloid, chemical, mechanical, and plastics engineers; materials and polymer scientists; chemical technologists; polymer chemists; and upper-level undergraduate and graduate students in these disciplines.

Table of Contents:

Introduction

Rheology of Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives

Physical Basis for the Viscoelastic Behavior of Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives

Comparison of PSAs

Chemical Composition of PSAs

Adhesive Performance Characteristics

Converting Properties of PSAs

Manufacture of Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives

Manufacture of Pressure-Sensitive Labels

Test Methods

Index