Probe tack tester

Probe Tack Determined by a Polyken Probe Tack Tester (Testing Machines, Inc.) Conditions 1 cm/sec Speed, 1 sec dwell, 100 gm/cm pressure. 

Probe tack conditions are set forth by ASTM and the Polyken Probe Tack Tester, shown schematically in Fig. 9, is the most commonly used instrument. In this device, developed by Hammond,a 5 mm diameter fiat-ended rod, connected to a load cell, constitutes the probe The instrument mechanically lifts the... 

Fig. 9. Schematic of Polyken probe tack tester showing detail of contact area. 1, backing 2, adhesive 3, weight 4, carrier 5, probe 6, timing control.

Hammond, Jr., F. H., Polymer Probe Tack Tester, ASTM Special Technical Publication No. 360, 1964, pp. 123-124. 

Figure 3 Schematic representation of a probe tack tester. The contact probe is usually stainless steel. The probe moves up to make contact and, after a certain set contact time, moves down. The rate of movement is also set prior to test.

Procedure for Polyken Tack Test (ASTM D2979-71). A 1-inch square of substrate coated with adhesive was adhered to the top of the brass cylinder. The cylinder was inverted, rubbed on the bench top, and placed right side up on the Polyken Tack Probe Tester. The probe speed was sent at 1 cm/sec and 1-sec dwell time. A 20-gram weight was used. Both the stainless steel probe and the brass cylinder were cleaned with toluene before each use, and sufficient time was allowed for drying. The force required to overcome the bond to the probe was recorded in g/cm. Seven trials were made and an average reported. 

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