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ABRASION RESISTANCE
The ability of a tape to withstand rubbing and still function satisfactorily.
ACCELERATED AGING
A means whereby the deterioration of a tape encountered in natural aging may be accelerated and reproduced in the laboratory.
ACCELERATED WEATHERING (weathering)
Exposure in a chamber to ultraviolet light, heat, and water whereby the effect of outdoor exposure on a tape can be approximated.
ACCORDION FOLD
Multiple parallel score lines or folds designed to cause a material to open like an accordion.
ACETATE (cellulose acetate)
A transparent film that is used for various reasons in tape backings; the primary characteristic is that of being more moisture resistant than cellophane. Key characteristics include: rigidity, dimensional stability, and ink receptivity.
ACRYLIC
A synthetic polymer with excellent aging characteristics that can be used as either a single component adhesive or a coating or saturant, depending upon composition.
ADHESION
A bond produced between a pressure sensitive adhesive and a surface.
ADHESION BUILD-UP
An increase in the peel adhesion value of a pressure sensitive tape after it has been allowed to dwell to the applied surface.
ADHESION TO BACKING
The bond produced to the backing of the same tape or another tape backing.
ADHESIVE
Any material that will usefully hold two or more objects together solely by intimate surface contact.
ADHESIVE DEPOSIT OR RESIDUE
Adhesive that is pulled away from the tape upon removal and remains on the surface to which it has been applied.
ADHESIVE, PERMANENT
An adhesive characterized by relatively high ultimate adhesion. Sometimes it can be removed when the degree of force used overcomes its bonding ability but generally it is not removable.
ADHESIVE, PRESSURE SENSITIVE
A type of adhesive, which in dry form is aggressively tacky at room temperature. It has the capability of promoting a bond to dissimilar surfaces on contact, with pressure.
ADHESIVE PROMOTER (adhesive primer)
An adhesion promoter or primer is most commonly a resin system in a solvent-based carrier. Adhesion promoter is most often used to increase the adhesion levels of low surface energy plastics such as: TPO, PP, PPO, PC, ABS and other plastic blends/alloys, for bonding with pressure sensitive adhesives.
ADHESIVE, REMOVABLE
An adhesive characterized by relatively high cohesive strength and low ultimate adhesion. It can be removed easily from most surfaces. Some adhesive transfer could take place depending on the affinity of the adhesive to the surface.
ADHESIVE TRANSFER
The conveyance of adhesive from its normal position on the tape backing to a surface to which the tape was not previously attached, i.e. lamination, or application to substrate.
AESTHETIC APPLICATION
Any application where visual and or tactile appeal are considerations. Typically those products in plain sight on ‘Class-A Surfaces’.
ANCHORAGE
The specific adhesion of a pressure sensitive adhesive to a face material or an anchor coat.
ATTACHMENT APPLICATION
The use of a PERMANENT ADHESIVE to bond or create ADHESION between components, i.e. acrylic foam tape is widely used to bond exterior trim, molding, badging, and cladding. See also FASTENING APPLICATION.
BACKING
See release liner and carrier.
BACKSIZE
An occlusive coating applied to the non-pressure sensitive side of a porous backing such as paper in order to provide a satisfactory surface that the pressure sensitive adhesive side can contact when the tape is wound into a roll.
BACK-SLIT RELEASE LINER
The term, back-slit describes a release liner which is supplied split into multiple pieces, either by the act of slitting, or by laminating multiple strips of release liner. Often used as an alternative to a release tab.
BI-DIRECTIONAL
Related to strapping tapes or woven materials, in which the material consists of filaments in both the length and cross directions, i.e. strapping tapes and woven cloths.
BLEEDING
Penetration through the tape of a coloring material (paint, etc.) onto the surface to which the tape is applied.
BLOCKING
Adhesion between the sheets of the plies of rolls of coated material, usually due to extreme conditions of pressure, temperature, or humidity.
BURSTING STRENGTH
The ability of a tape to resist damage when a force is applied evenly and perpendicularly to the surface of a tape.
BUTT CUT PARTS
Rectangular or tessellating parts in continuous form separated by a cut to the liner across the web. Also See MATRIX.
BUZZ, SQUEAK, and RATTLE (BSR application & noise, vibration, harshness, NVH)
Are undesirable noises typically caused by vibration between mating automotive components. BSR materials may be required to perform any number of specialized functions; primarily to neutralize or minimize these noises, by creating a barrier surface with a low coefficient of friction or to function as a sound dampener/ insulator.
CALIPER
The thickness (as of a sheet of paper) measured under specified conditions. See also THICKNESS.
CARRIER
A webstock that holds a pressure sensitive adhesive. A carrier most commonly refers to a layer of material used in the construction of double-faced or double-coated tapes. See also RELEASE LINER.
CELLOPHANE (regenerated cellulose)
A thin transparent film manufactured from wood pulp.
COATED CLOTH
Fabric with a rubber or plastic coating to provide increased moisture resistance and longer wear.
COATING WEIGHT
The weight of a coating per unit area. In SI-units expressed as grams per square meter (g/m2).
COHESION (cohesive strength, internal bond)
The ability of the adhesive to resist shear stress and splitting. Good cohesion is necessary for clean tape removal.
COLD FUSING
The converting process of joining two or more thermoplastic films, with a special die and pressure. Cold fusing is similar to heat sealing, but relies on pressure alone to form a seal. This somewhat limited process provides an economical alternative to heat sealing. See also, HEAT SEALING.
COLD FLOW
The tendency of a pressure sensitive adhesive to act as a heavy viscous liquid over long periods of time. Such phenomena as oozing and increase in adhesion with time are the result of this characteristic.
COLOR CODING
The use of color to differentiate parts. Color-coding provides easy, intuitive product identification, speeding assembly and reducing potential for operator error. Economical color-coded release liners, for example, are commonly used to differentiate symmetrically opposite components, like driver’s side components from passenger’s side. Shape-coding can also be used to differentiate parts.
COLOR STABILITY
The ability of a tape to retain its original color, particularly when exposed to light.
CONVERTER
A company, such as Argent International, that fabricates one form of material into a more advanced form, i.e. a clothing manufacturer converts fabric into clothing or an envelope manufacturer converting paper into envelopes.
CONVERTING
The process of fabricating one form of material into a more advanced form. See also: CONVERTER.
CONFORMABILITY
The ability of tape to fit snugly or make essentially complete contact with the surface of an irregular object without creasing, folding, or flagging.
CORONA RESISTANCE
The ability of an elastomeric adhesive, coating, or sealer acting as an insulator to withstand the effects of high voltage discharge. Indications of failure appear as surface cracks.
CORONA TREATMENT
A process that alters the surface of a material or its surface energy by exposing that material to a high voltage electrical discharge treatment. Typically used to raise the surface energy of films such as polyethylene or polypropylene to obtain better adhesion of inks, adhesives and other coatings. High-energy surfaces permit better wet-out (contact) of the coating than low energy surfaces.
CREEP
The slow movement of the adhesive or backing under shear stress.
CREPED
Paper that has small folds in it, giving it high stretch.
CROSS-LINKING
Developing a three-dimensional molecular structure in an adhesive normally activated by heat or irradiation. An improvement in shear resistance, high temperature resistance, and oil or solvent resistance will normally result.
CUPPING
A slight U-shaped deformation of the tape (at right angles to the length) which usually appears after unwind tension is relaxed.
CURE
To alter the properties of an adhesive by chemical reaction, which may be condensation, polymerization, or vulcanization. Usually accomplished by the action of heat and catalysts, alone or in combination, with or without pressure.
CURED
See CURE, CROSS LINKED.
CURL
The tendency of paper by itself or in a laminate to bend or partly wrap around the axis of one of its dimensions.
CUT-THROUGH (full-cut, trim-cut)
In die cutting, to cut through all layers of pressure sensitive material, the adhesive and backing materials. See also: KISS-CUT and MULTI-LAYER CUTTING.
DEAD STRETCH
The net increase in length after tape has been elongated without breaking and allowed to recover.
DEADENED ADHESIVE
A term that refers to temporarily or permanently neutralizing an adhesive through means of converting; typically, through lamination of an additional material. Deadened adhesive may be used to create selective patterns of functional adhesive coverage, i.e. to keep adhesive away from key surfaces or to function with automated dispensing equipment. See also: ZONE CUT & ZONE COATED ADHESIVE.
DEBOSSING
In debossing, an image or text, such as a logo or part number, is pressed into the surface of a material using a punch or die, creating permanent depressions in the material’s surface. Also note that trim-cut punches provide a similar, yet higher contrast, ID solution.
DELAMINATION
A separation or splitting of the tape such as separation of the backing into two distinct layers, separation between laminations of a tape consisting of more than one backing, separation between filaments and backing of a filament reinforced tape, or separation of the adhesive from the backing.
DIE
Any of various knife edged cutting or trimming tools or devices such as clicker dies, high dies, steel rule dies etc. , used for cutting a desired shape into soft or semi-rigid material.
DIE-BOARD
Used as the carrier for steel rule in cutting dies, usually hardwood plywood.
DIE-CUT
A piece part created through the act of die-cutting.
DIE-CUTTER
A person who is employed in die cutting or operates a die-cutting press.
DIE-CUTTING
The method of using sharp edged cutting dies to cut out shapes from a wide array of soft to semi-rigid materials. The action of making piece parts from bulk materials using cutting dies and presses.
DIE-CUTTING PRESS
Machine that holds the die, blanks or cuts the material into piece parts.
DIE-CUTTING SURFACE
Any cutting surface that a die cuts against or cuts into in the die cutting process. The die- cutting surface can be any number of surfaces such as: hardened steel or plastic.
DIELECTRIC STRENGTH
The measure of the maximum voltage stress that a single layer of tape can withstand before dielectric failure occurs, the test being carried out under prescribed conditions.
DIMENSIONAL STABILITY
That property of a material that relates to the constancy of its dimensions, particularly in relation to external influences such as moisture or temperature.
DISCOLORATION
See Stain.
DISHING
See Telescoping.
DOUBLE COATED
An adhesive application to both sides of a backing.
EDGE CURL
The peeling back or lifting of the outer edge of an applied tape in a curved manner.
EDGE LIFT
The tendency for the edge of an adhesive label to lift from a surface to which it has been adhered.
ELASTICITY
The extensible property of adhesive films or adhesive interfaces to contract and expand in such a manner as to overcome the differential contraction and expansion rates that the bonded adherends may exhibit.
ELASTIC MEMORY
A tendency of some tapes to attempt to return to their original length after being elongated.
ELASTOMER
An elastic, polymeric substance, such as natural or synthetic rubber.
ELECTROLYTIC CORROSION FACTOR
A measure of the tape’s corrosive effect on an electrical conductor, particularly copper. This is particularly important in the selection of tapes for electrical insulation.
ELONGATION (stretch, ultimate elongation)
The distance a tape will stretch in the machine or cross direction before breaking under controlled conditions, expressed as a percentage of original length. Elongation is not necessarily an indication of conformability.
FACE STOCK
Any paper, film, fabric, laminate, or foil material suitable for converting into pressure sensitive material stock. In the finished construction this web is bonded to the adhesive layer and becomes the functional part of the tape construction.
FALL-OFF
When a tape pulls completely from the surface to which it is applied and drops off.
FASTENING APPLICATION
The use of a permanent or reclosable fastener to attach components, i.e. 3M™ Dual Lock™, or Argent Wirestrap™. See also ATTACHMENT APPLICATION.
FATIGUE
A weakness resulting from stress created by repeated flexing or impact force upon the adhesive-adherend interface.
FEATHERING
A jagged, irregular paint line frequently characterized by small feathers of the top-coat projecting into the masked area.
FILAMENTS
Thin, longitudinal yarns or threads of glass, polyester, nylon, or other high strength materials.
FILM
Uniform, homogeneous, nonfibrous synthetic materials.
FISHEYES
Relatively small deformations (pock marks) in the adhesive caused by the entrapment of air between layers in the roll. They are not an indication of a quality defect.
FLAGGING
A peeling away from the surface of the end of a length of tape, particularly in a spiral-wrap application.
FLAKING
A condition sometimes occurring during removal of masking tape in which flakes or particles of paint flake away from the tape backing.
FLAME RESISTANCE
The ability of a tape to withstand exposure to flame. Fireproof materials will not burn even when exposed to flame. Flame-resistant (fire-retardant, self-extinguishing) materials will burn when exposed to flame, but will not sustain the burn after the flame is removed.
FLEXIBILITY
The ability of a tape to be bent or flexed freely.
FLEXOGRAPHIC PRINTING (flexography)
Flexographic printing refers to web-based printing processes using a flexible printing plate. Print is achieved by creating a mirrored master of the required image as a 3D relief in a rubber or polymer material. A measured amount of ink is deposited upon the surface of the printing plate (or printing cylinder) using an anilox roll. The print surface then rotates, contacting the print material which transfers the ink.
FLUOROCARBON FILM
A film with very high and low temperature limits, excellent electrical characteristics and a very slippery, non-sticking surface. One example is Du Pont’s Teflon (polytetrafluorethylene).
FLUTING
Distortion of a roll of tape such that the layers no longer form a circle.
FOAM
A soft, cushiony material formed by creating bubbles in base material such as natural or synthetic rubbers, or other elastomeric materials.
FREEZING
A hardening or crystallizing of the adhesive after application so that tape cannot be removed easily or cleanly.
GAPPING
Openings between layers of tape within a finished roll.
GASKETING AND SEALING APPLICATION
The use of a material to mechanically seal vacant spaces between components. To prevent leakage of fluids or gases, a sealant may be used, such as a PERMANENT ADHESIVE, laminated to the gasket material.
GLOSS
A light reflection characteristic of tape backings, usually expressed by such terms as glossy, low gloss, matte, etc.
HEAT ACTIVATED ADHESIVE
An adhesive film intended to be bonded using heat. Adhesive is reactivated by the application of physical or chemical changes caused by exposure to high temperatures.
HEAT RESISTANCE
The ability of a tape to withstand exposure to specified temperatures after application to a surface. Clean removal after exposure may or may not be important depending on the intended function of the tape and the type of adhesive.
HEAT SEALING
The converting process of joining two or more thermoplastic films, with a special die, heat, and pressure. Heat sealing is also commonly used to cleanly fuse a synthetic fiber’s edges, such as 3M™ acoustical dampening Thinsulate™ product. See also, COLD FUSING.
HIGH-SPEED UNWIND
A term referring to the process of unwinding or dispensing of tapes at a relatively high rate of speed, usually over 15 meters / minute.
HOLDING POWER (shear adhesion, shear resistance)
The ability of a tape to resist static forces applied in the same plane as the backing. Usually expressed in a time required for a given weight and length of tape to shear free from a vertical panel.
HOLE COVER (hole cover application)
A self-adhesive product similar in use to a hole plug. A hole cover provides a finishing treatment for frame, drain, and access holes. Hole covers may be required to perform any number of specialized functions such as to eliminate wind noise or to provide a seal against environmental contaminants.
HOT MELT (pressure sensitive adhesive)
A pressure sensitive adhesive, applied to the backing in hot liquid form, which then cools to form a conventional pressure sensitive adhesive.
HUMIDITY
The moisture content of the air. Actual humidity is the number of grams of moisture in the air at any given time. Relative humidity is the percent of moisture relative to the maximum that air at any given temperature can retain without precipitation.
HYGROSCOPIC
A tendency of some materials to readily absorb moisture from the atmosphere.
IMPACT RESISTANCE (shock resistance)
The ability of a tape to resist sudden impacts, pulls, or shocks as may sometimes be encountered by packages in transit.
INKJET PRINTING
A type of computer printer that operates by propelling tiny droplets of liquid ink onto a substrate. Relatively high speed, high resolution, and low-cost make inkjet printing a sound identification solution for printed part numbers, sequential numbers, text, barcodes, logos, and graphics.
INSULATION RESISTANCE
The ability of tape to prevent the flow of electrical current across its surface, usually measured on the backing.

KERF
Kerf describes the width of material ablated (removed) by cutting processes such as, laser cutting, water jet cutting, or traditional cutting processes like sawing. This material may be removed through vaporization, chipping, or other erosive processes. Note that in specialty cutting, a wider kerf can provide a variety of benefits over traditional die-cutting methods.
KISS CUT (pressure sensitive cut)
In die cutting, to cut through only the top layer or layers of pressure sensitive material and leave the backing stock uncut. See also: cut-through and multi-layer cutting.
KRAFT PAPER
A high strength paper made of sulfate fibre pulp. An alkaline process of pulp manufacture. Made on a fourdrinier machine from virgin pine fibers.
LABEL
The functional portion of a pressure sensitive construction comprising the face material and adhesive, die cut into various shapes.
LABEL STOCK
Pressure sensitive insulation. Materials furnished in roll or sheet form with liner, which can be later printed, frequently die cut, and intended for use as labels.
LAMINATE
A web material formed by bonding two or more materials together as in a pressure-sensitive construction. To apply one layer of material over another.
LAP JOINT
A joint made by lapping one material over another to provide a mated area that can be joined with an adhesive.
LATENT STAIN
A stain in a surface to which tape has been applied, which does not become noticeable until some time after the tape is removed, usually after the surface has been exposed to sunlight or heat.
LIFTING
A situation where a section of tape has pulled away from the surface to which it has been applied.
LOW SURFACE ENERGY
Describes those materials which adhesive bonding may be difficult due to a lack of available electrons on its surface. Some LSE materials include: polypropylene, polyethylene, powder coated paints. Also note that some adhesives are designed specifically for use in LSE applications, as are ADHESIVE PROMOTERS.
MATERIAL SPLICE
An area where tape has been used to attach two rolls of material together to form one continuous web.
MATRIX (WASTE SKELETON)
The face material and adhesive surrounding a specialty-cut product, usually removed after die cutting. Also see: BUTT-CUT PARTS.
METAL FOIL
Thin flexible sheets of metal, such as aluminum, copper, and lead, used as tape backings because of their inherent properties such as weather resistance, electrical conductivity, reflectivity, etc.
MIGRATION
The movement, over a long period of time, of an ingredient from one component to another when the two are in surface contact. May occur between tape components or between a tape and the surface to which it is applied. Some plastic films and foams contain plasticizers, which are apt to migrate into the tape adhesive causing the adhesive to soften.
MOISTURE VAPOR TRANSMISSION RATE
A measure of the rate of water vapor transmission through a pressure sensitive product usually measured in grams / square meter / 24 hours.
MULTI-LAYER CUTTING
(1) Many materials are laid up in multiple layers before die cutting. It is not uncommon to lay up many thickness of material 3 or 4 inches in height and have a die cut through all the layers in one cycle of a press. (2) In die cutting, to cut through various layers of pressure sensitive material at various depths, to leave other layers uncut. See also: kiss-cut, cut-through and multi-layer cutting.
MYLAR
(1) A DuPont trademark for polyester film. Used as a base for graphic image layouts. (2) In offset preparation, a polyester film made by DuPont specially suited for stripping positives because of its mechanical strength and dimensional stability. Commonly used for die "strike sheets" or "overlays." (3) An inspection tool used to perform visual pass/ fail dimensional checks during a manufacturing process.
NON-WOVEN MATERIALS
Usually refers to paper 'tissues' or synthetics such as 3M™ Tyvek™.
NOISE, VIBRATION, HARSHNESS: NVH
See BUZZ, SQUEAK, and RATTLE, WIND NOISE and SOUND DAMPENING.
OEM
An acronym for "Original Equipment Manufacturer." One who produces a component or components used in the making of a finished assembled product.
OFF-CORE
A roll of tape in which the layers are in correct alignment, but the tape is displaced sideways on the core.
OOZING
A "squeezing out" of the adhesive from under the backing. Occurrence when a tape is in a roll form causes the edges of the roll to become tacky.
OPACITY
The ability of a tape to prevent the transmission of light.
OUT-GASSING
The release of volatile components under heat or vacuum.
OVERLAMINATING
Applications of a clear film to a face stock for the purpose of protection or to enhance graphic quality, usually done in-line on the press.
PATTERN COATED
See ZONE COATED.
PEEL ADHESION
The force per unit width required to break the bond between a pressure sensitive adhesive tape and the surface to which it has been applied when the tape is peeled back at a controlled angle at a standard rate and condition.
PERFORATED
Refers to a series of small incisions made in specialty-cut products and/or their release liner to facilitate tearing, folding, tearing, glue adherence along a pre-determined line.
PERFORATED SCORE
Score made by a perforated cutting rule that is relieved at regular intervals to achieve a cut/score effect.
PERMANENT ADHESIVE
An adhesive characterized by having relatively high ultimate adhesion to a wide variety of surfaces.
PLASTICIZATION
The softening of an adhesive when exposed to migrating plasticizers or oils.
POLYESTER
A strong film having good resistance to moisture, solvents, oils, etc. Usually transparent, although available with opaque and metallized finish. A clear complex ester formed by polymerization or condensation. Excellent strength, clarity and dimensional stability.
POLYESTER LINER
A polyester film that is silicone release coated. It provides an excellent die cutting surface and is also used on over laminating films to provide a smooth, glass-like surface of adhesive.
POLYETHYLENE
A tough, stretch plastic film having very good low temperature characteristics, also used a great deal for producing semi-rigid recyclable bottles.