The Pressure Sensitive Tape Council (PSTC) is pleased to announce its New 16th Edition of Test Methods for Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Tapes. 

 

PSTC’s Test Methods contains standard procedures for quality control of pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) tape testing in the laboratory and measuring tape performance characteristics. PSTC was founded in 1953 to promote the manufacture of PSA tape products high in quality and performance. PSTC continues to be the leading North American voice in the proper use of pressure sensitive tapes, developing standard nomenclature and establishing test methods.

 

PSTC issued its first test method manual in 1955 with eight methods – 180° peel, shear holding, unwind, tensile, elongation, thickness, moisture vapor transmission rate and water penetration. Although the versatility of pressure sensitive tape backing and the various adhesive qualities make it impossible to include tests that measure the characteristics of all tapes, this 16th edition has grown to include 30 methods, including a new test method titled: Shear Adhesion Failure Temperature (SAFT) for Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Tape, test method #17.

 

PSTC continues to work with the new Global Tape Forum consisting of the five global trade associations in Europe and Asia on harmonizing test methods into global standards and then selecting the key tests to become ISO standards. A three-digit test method nomenclature in the Test Methods publication signifies that the method has become a global harmonized international method. As PSTC’s methods became harmonized, the decision was made to include metric measures for all tests.

 

Each method is identified with appropriate date of issuance and revisions stated in the top right corner of the first page. At the end of each method is a Summary of Changes section that summarizes the significant changes made starting with the 15th edition. Each test method page is double numbered, with the test method number and the page number.

 

The PSTC Test Methods Committee works throughout each year exploring and developing new methods, editing current methods. Each committee member has contributed to this edition.

 

PSTC Test Methods for Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Tapes, 16th Edition is available for purchase online at www.pstc.org/bookstore.