Silicone Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives for Extreme Conditions
High Performance Silicone Adhesives
Pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) used for basic tape, label, or assembly applications are usually based on acrylic or rubber. These adhesives are cost-effective but often fall short when exposed to extreme temperatures or harsh chemicals. Thus, while rubber or acrylic PSAs may be appropriate for packaging tapes or paper labels, a more robust PSA is required in applications like automotive or aerospace.
Momentive's SilGrip™ silicone pressure-sensitive adhesives are designed to hold up in applications where most other adhesives fail. They excel in providing high-performance adhesion in extreme environments, as the silicone backbone of SilGrip™ PSAs allows for maintained flexibility and adhesion, even in challenging environments that expose materials to high temperatures, chemicals, and moisture. These solvent-based adhesive systems offer excellent peel adhesion in applications such as thermal masking tape, electrically insulating tape, and automotive safety labels.
SilGrip™ PSA529 & PSA6573A
While Momentive’s silicone PSAs tend to be used in tapes and labels intended for extreme environments, they may also be used as contact adhesives that can be applied to various assembly applications. In general, SilGrip™ silicone-based PSAs offer outstanding adhesion to both rigid and flexible substrates, even those with low surface energies. This makes them ideal for plastic tape and label stock and plastic assembly substrates. SilGrip™ PSA529 and PSA6573A are two of the most versatile PSAs in the SilGrip™ portfolio. They may be applied by hand for assembly applications or by using machine-applied coating methods, such as gravure coating for tape and labels.
These PSAs are based on chemically resistant methyl silicone gum that shows minimal change when exposed to extreme weather and temperature changes, which commonly occur in aerospace, military, and automotive applications. In addition, PSA529 and PSA6573 offer superior electrical insulation due to their inherent dielectric properties. Thus, one of the applications they are used in is cable wraps that shield wires and cables from electrically conductive environments.
PSA529 is well balanced for peel, cohesive, and lap shear strength and facilitates room-temperature cure for assembly applications when paired with the SRC18 catalyst. PSA6573A exhibits slightly less tack than PSA529 but higher shear and creep resistance than most other silicone pressure-sensitive adhesives. Both have exceptional adhesion to low–surface energy substrates like polyolefins, polyesters, and even fluoropolymers, such as PTFE. Additionally, both PSAs may be blended with the SilGrip™ SR545 resin dispersion to modify tack, peel, and shear properties. When using SR545, peel and shear strength increase while tack decreases.
See the videos below for more details about these silicone adhesives and how to use them properly.
Introduction to PSA529 & PSA6573A
How to Use PSA529 & PSA6573A
Technical features, physical properties, and general use instructions for these pressure-sensitive adhesives are outlined in the data sheets linked below. ChemPoint has dedicated product specialists to answer questions and assist with your application. Feel free to contact us here for help.
