Labels & Adhesives for LSE Plastics
Labels that Stick to Plastic, Painted Metal & Low Surface Energy Plastics
TLP offers labels with adhesives specially engineered for use on LSE surfaces.
To establish the necessary “high performance” characteristic(s) and make an appropriate adhesive recommendation, we ask the following series of questions about the product on which the adhesive will be used.
- What industry will the product be servicing?
- What is this product expected to do?
- To what surface(s) will the adhesive be applied? If there are multiple surfaces, what is the order of application?
- What are the size, texture and shape of the application surface?
- Are there specific performance requirements for a particular test method or spec such as tamper evident?
We also ask questions related to environmental concerns, temperatures, type of equipment that will be used to process the product, and the processing concerns that the customer/converter has. This thorough analysis assures the most appropriate adhesive recommendation.
Low Surface Energy Adhesion
Other points of consideration when identifying the right adhesive for any number of low surface energy applications are:
- What is the application temperature?
- Will it resist outgassing?
- Can it resist dielectric breakdown?
- Does it act as a thermal insulator or facilitate heat transfer?
- Is the adhesive designed to lift a fingerprint, or will it leave residue behind?
- Can the adhesive survive strict loss of coolant accident (LOCA) requirements?
- Will it bond clamping materials to such surfaces as inner skins of aircraft or serve as the noise reducing component?
Moreover, if it’s a label stock or a branding product, the type of face stock, topcoat, printing method and environmental concerns will also need to be considered when determining a compatible adhesives for plastics.
QUESTIONS YOU MAY BE ASKING…
Why is it so difficult finding labels with aggressive adhesives for plastics?
Why won’t my decals and labels stick to powder coat paint?
Can TLP manufacture labels that stick to plastic, polypropylene and ABS?
Does TLP has a label stock with adhesive for PVC applications?
LET’S ASK THE ENGINEER!
Adhesives for Plastics &
Low Surface Energy Labels
What kind of label material should I use on my LSE plastic product?
One of the first questions TLP will ask is if the LSE plastic is smooth or textured? Smooth LSE plastic will require a standard or heavy coat weight of adhesive. Typically, a 1 or 2 mil coat weight of permanent acrylic adhesive will work well. Textured LSE plastic is more difficult to adhere to and will require a 5 or 7 mil coat weight of permanent acrylic adhesive.
How can I improve the bond of adhesive to LSE plastic?
Using a primer or mild solvent cleaner like isopropyl alcohol can clean the surface and will improve the bond of label adhesive to LSE plastics. We also recommend a full 72 hour dwell time to really test the adhesive bond.
Also of Interest
- Case Study: Domed Decals Engineered for the Automotive Market
- Custom Application: Harsh Environment
- Custom Application: Warning Labels