FTM11
quality of silicone coated
scope
This test method describes a technique whereby the effect
of the release surface on the adhesive properties can be
assessed. It is of particular interest both to manufacturers
of release paper and also to pressure sensitive laminate
manufacturers in determining the key and degree of cure of
the release system.
definition
Subsequent adhesion is defined as the force required, at a
specified angle and speed, to remove a pressure sensitive
adhesive coated material from a standard test plate after
it has previously been in contact with a silicone coated
substrate under specified conditions.
Percentage subsequent adhesion is expressed as the
percentage ratio of this result compared with the adhesion
of similar material which has not been in contact with the
silicone coated substrate.
test equipment
A tensile tester or similar machine, capable of peeling a
laminate through an angle of 180° with a jaw separation
rate of 300mm per minute with an accuracy of ± 2%.
Test plates made of float glass or equivalent plate glass
(Kristallspiegelglas, verre glace).
A standard FINAT test roller.
The test samples from FTM 10.
A standard pressure sensitive tape, 25 mm wide, or a
standard pressure sensitive adhesive coated facing paper
(see Notes to FTM 10 and FTM 11).
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Picture 1: Cheminstruments Tensile Tester AR-1000
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substrates for self-adhesive laminates:
subsequent adhesion
test pieces
These are the 175 mm x 25 mm tape or pressure sensitive
adhesive coated facing paper strips which were peeled
from the silicone coated substrate in FTM 10, plus a
control set of at least three strips from the standard tape
or pressure sensitive adhesive coated facing paper which
have not been in contact with the silicone coated substrate
under test.
test conditions
23°C ± 2°C and 50% RH ± 5% RH.
The test strips should be conditioned for not less than 4
hours before testing.
procedure
Apply the test strips of adhesive coated tape or facing
paper from FTM 10, adhesive side down, on to a clean
test plate using light finger pressure. Roll twice in each
direction with the standard FINAT test roller at a speed
of approximately 10 mm per second to obtain intimate
contact between the adhesive mass and the surface. After
applying the strip to the test plate leave for a period of 20
minutes before testing. Prepare a second set of strips and
leave for a period of 24 hours before testing.
Fix the test plate and sample in the machine so that the
angle of peel is 180°. Set the machine at 300 mm per
minute jaw separation rate. Carry out the test taking at
least five readings at 10 mm intervals from the centre
section of each test strip.
Average the five or more readings for each strip.
This procedure should then be repeated for the control set
of tape or adhesive coated facing paper strips which have
not been in contact with the silicone coated substrate in
order to determine percentage subsequent adhesion.
results
Subsequent adhesion is expressed as the average result for
the strips tested in Newtons per 25 mm width for either 20
minutes or 24 hours application time.
Force required to remove test tape
Subsequent adhesion% = 100 X
Force required to remove control tape
If the adhesive force exceeds the strength of a paper facing
material the result quoted should be the maximum reached
before the paper tears and this result should be followed
by the postscript PT. If adhesive transfer occurs, this should
be indicated by the letters AT.
notes
1. Low values of release force (FTM 10) in conjunction
with high subsequent adhesion (FTM 11) usually
indicate that the silicone coating has been properly
applied and cured.
2. High values of release force (FTM 10) usually indicate
that the silicone coating is inadequate or uneven
(unless the product is designed to give high release)
or that the adhesive has reacted with an improperly
cured film.
3. Low values of release force (FTM 10) with low
percentage subsequent adhesion values indicate
silicone migration. However, the subsequent adhesive
strength of an adhesive after contact with silicone
coated paper is very much dependent on the surface
texture of the substrate to which the release coating
has been applied. In general, the smoother the surface
of the substrate, the higher will be the percentage
subsequent adhesion value obtained. Values of 70-
80% are not unusual.
4. Care should be taken in the interpretation of the
results obtained from the accelerated ageing release
test carried out at elevated temperature as the
rheological properties of adhesives are temperature
dependent. Excessive flow of adhesive at high
temperature can give high release values, particularly
with pinholed or imperfect silicone coatings.
5. The test plates must be thoroughly cleaned so that no
trace of adhesive, grease, silicone or moisture is left
on the surface. The following solvents can be used to
clean the test plates:
• Diacetone alcohol non-residual,
technical grade or better
• Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK)
• Acetone
• Methanol 95%
• n-Heptane
• Ethyl Acetate
The cleaning material must be absorbent, e.g. surgical
gauze, cotton wool or tissue. To be suitable, materials
must be lint-free during use, absorbent, contain no
additives that are soluble in the solvents listed above,
and made exclusively from virgin materials.
Dispense one of the solvents listed above on to the
panel, wiping it to dryness with fresh absorbent
cleaning material. Repeat for a total of three washes
with the solvent. Final wipe shall be with MEK or
acetone.
Alternative methods which remove contamination
properly can be adopted, e.g. ultrasonic cleaning.
Prior to use, the cleaned plates should be left for 4
hours under standard test conditions. Care should be
taken to handle clean plates by the edge only.
6. Alternative surfaces to plate glass can be used such as
stainless steel or aluminium but this must be clearly
stated alongside the results.
7. If adhesion values are required when paper tear has
occurred, then this test can be conducted at lower jaw
separation rates quoting the latter against the results.
8. Conversion 1 kgf- = 9.81 Newton.
Issued October 1985
Revised March 1999
Revised May 2001
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