Natural rubber-based adhesives pressure-sensitive tapes

Rubber-based adhesives, also called elastomeric adhesives, is probably the most commonly known family of adhesives for industrial and household applications such as pressure-sensitive tapes and labels, construction, contact adhesives, hot melt packaging and bookbinding, and high-strength structural applications for aircraft, automotive and construction. In fact, about one-third of the adhesives used in the world are made from natural or synthetic rubbers. This article gives a general introduction. More specific aspects can be found in further articles listed at the end. 

The process of masticating and dissolving natural rubber is important for pressure sensitive formulation as well as for solvent cement production. Pressure sensitive tapes and labels based on natural rubber are a significant part of the rapidly growing pressure sensitive adhesive... 

Pressure sensitive adhesive tapes are used for holding and anchoring lead wires to the outer wrap of transformer coils, capacitor wrapping, protection of leads and coils, and other similar applications. Adhesive transfer films are used to hold insulating material in position. Natural rubber based pressure sensitive adhesives have poor solvent resisitance unless they are cross-linked. Many modifications are possible. Synthetic rubber has better stability than natural rubber and better solvent and ozone resistance. Acrylic pressure sensitive adhesives have the best balance of properties. They maintain their... 

Pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) based on acrylic, natural rubber and silicone are employed primarily for ease of application. To name Just a few applications, PSAs bond decals to surfaces, interior decorative surfaces to interior panels, interior trim pieces in place directly or hook and loop tape for the same purpose, structural shims in place during manufacturing and acoustic (sound deadening) materials to body skin interior surfaces. Tape products with pressure-sensitive adhesive on one or both surfaces are used for such functions as cargo compartment sealing, as a fluid barrier to prevent spills and leaks in the lavatories and... 

Today, even in the most developed countries, natural adhesives dominate the market because they are less expensive than synthetic-based materials, and they perform the intended function. Natural rubber is still the most widely used base material in pressure-sensitive adhesives. The first such modern uses were flypaper to trap flying insects, and medical bandages and tapes. Because of restrictions on the use of pesticides in many countries, both natural rubber and sticky synthetic materials have returned full circle to one of their original uses in trapping rodents and other small mammals. Natural rubber solvent solution adhesives are widely used throughout the world as general-purpose adhesives. 

The first pressure sensitive adhesives were based on natural rubber and rosin. They were applied as patches and tapes for surgical use [203], In the 19th century some early technical tapes were derived therefrom (e.g., Citoplast, P. Beiersdorf Co., Germany), but the application range was very narrow. When spray painting was introduced in the automotive industry, such tapes were employed to mask color lines. They were imperfect and had to be improved [204]. This was the starting point for the development of industrial tapes. 

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