PCT Engineered Electron Beam Technology for Converting Applications - Manual (Page 3)

ELECTRON
BEAM
UNWIND
REWIND
OPTIONAL
RELEASE
LINER
EXTRUDER
Figure 3. Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Crosslinking
Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Crosslinking
Most types of pressure sensitive adhesives may be EB crosslinked. This includes hot
melt, syrups, solvent, and water based PSA’s. The specific chemistry of the adhesive
polymer backbone determines the behavior upon EB irradiation. The most common
application is EB crosslinking of hot melt pressure sensitive adhesives. Hot melt
adhesive are thermoplastic and must have melt and flow properties to facilitate their
application. These processing properties may come at the expense of performance
properties particularly under elevated temperature end-use conditions. EB crosslinking is
known to improve the sheer, heat, and chemical resistance of hot melt pressure sensitive
adhesives. EB crosslinking of hot melt PSA’s in many cases can provide an
environmentally friendly alternative to solvent acrylic PSA’s. Applications for EB
crosslinked PSA’s include free film adhesives, high performance tapes, and label stocks.