ASTM D1146-00(2018)e1

Standard Test Method for Blocking Point of Potentially Adhesive Layers

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Since some potentially adhesive materials are both thermoplastic and hygroscopic, this test method provides means for estimating, on the same material, both thermoplastic and hygroscopic blocking. Because some requirements are more strict than others, two varying degrees of blocking are recognized and defined: (1) First degree blocking, and (2) Second degree blocking. Two types of blocking are covered: (1) Cohesive blocking, and (2) Adhesive blocking.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the blocking point of a thermoplastic or a hygroscopic layer or coating of potentially adhesive material. Potentially adhesive materials comprise those materials in a substantially nonadhesive state which may be activated to an adhesive state by application of heat or solvents.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Oct-2018
• ICS: 83.180 - Adhesives
• Technical Committee: D14 - Adhesives
• Drafting Committee: D14.10 - Working Properties

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D1146-00(2018) - Standard Test Method for Blocking Point of Potentially Adhesive Layers
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2018
• Refers: ASTM D907-12a - Standard Terminology of Adhesives
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2012
• Refers: ASTM D907-12 - Standard Terminology of Adhesives
• Effective Date: 01-May-2012
• Refers: ASTM D907-11a - Standard Terminology of Adhesives
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2011
• Refers: ASTM D907-11 - Standard Terminology of Adhesives
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2011
• Refers: ASTM D907-08b - Standard Terminology of Adhesives
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2008
• Refers: ASTM D907-08a - Standard Terminology of Adhesives
• Effective Date: 15-Aug-2008
• Refers: ASTM D907-08 - Standard Terminology of Adhesives
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2008
• Refers: ASTM D907-06 - Standard Terminology of Adhesives
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2006
• Refers: ASTM D907-05e1 - Standard Terminology of Adhesives
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2005
• Refers: ASTM D907-05 - Standard Terminology of Adhesives
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2005
• Refers: ASTM D907-04a - Standard Terminology of Adhesives
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2004
• Refers: ASTM D907-04 - Standard Terminology of Adhesives
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2004
• Refers: ASTM D907-03 - Standard Terminology of Adhesives
• Effective Date: 10-May-2003
• Refers: ASTM D907-00 - Standard Terminology of Adhesives
• Effective Date: 10-Oct-2000

Overview

ASTM D1146-00(2018)e1 - Standard Test Method for Blocking Point of Potentially Adhesive Layers provides a recognized procedure for determining the blocking point of thermoplastic or hygroscopic coatings and layers. Blocking, in this context, refers to the unwanted adhesion that can occur between layers of material, especially during storage or use, potentially causing surfaces to stick together in a damaging way. This test method is essential for manufacturers and quality assurance teams working with materials that are initially non-adhesive but capable of becoming adhesive under specific conditions such as heat or humidity.

The standard defines two types of blocking - cohesive and adhesive - and two degrees of severity, offering a practical means to evaluate the performance of potentially adhesive materials under real-world conditions.

Key Topics

• Blocking Point Determination: Outlines the process for identifying the temperature or humidity at which a potentially adhesive material transitions from a nonadhesive to an adhesive state.
• Types of Blocking:
  • Cohesive Blocking: Adhesion occurring between two similar adhesive faces.
  • Adhesive Blocking: Adhesion between an adhesive face and a non-adhesive object, such as standard test paper.
• Degrees of Blocking:
  • First Degree Blocking: Surfaces cling together but can be separated without visible damage.
  • Second Degree Blocking: Separation causes visible damage to at least one surface.
• Testing Conditions: Involves the use of controlled temperature and humidity environments to simulate conditions under which blocking may occur.
• Material Scope: Applies to potentially adhesive coatings or layers, including those that are thermoplastic (sensitive to heat) or hygroscopic (sensitive to moisture).
• Reporting Requirements: The standard specifies documentation of test conditions, adhesive identification, specimen preparation, and the degree of blocking observed.

Applications

The ASTM D1146 standard is widely applicable in industries where materials are stored, processed, or shipped in stacked or rolled formats, and where unwanted adhesion could impact quality or usability. Main applications include:

• Adhesive Manufacturing: Enables producers to evaluate the stability and handling characteristics of adhesives and coated products.
• Packaging: Assures that packaging materials do not adhere inappropriately during storage or transport.
• Laminates and Films: Used to assess performance for plastic films, tapes, and coated papers, ensuring they remain functional in varying climates.
• Quality Control: Serves as a benchmark test for material certification and batch release, especially for suppliers working with thermoplastic and hygroscopic products.
• Research and Development: Assists in the formulation of new adhesives or coatings by providing a clear method to assess and compare blocking propensities under controlled environmental conditions.

Related Standards

For broader context and compliance, ASTM D1146 references and is used alongside several other standards, including:

• ASTM D907 - Terminology of Adhesives: Provides standard definitions relevant to adhesives testing and descriptions used within D1146.
• International Testing Principles: Developed in accordance with guidelines from the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee, ensuring harmonization with international industrial and regulatory practices.

Other closely related standards may include various ASTM test methods for physical properties of adhesives, plastics, and coated papers.

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By adopting ASTM D1146-00(2018)e1, organizations can ensure consistent, reliable evaluation of blocking properties in potentially adhesive materials, reducing production risks and supporting product integrity across supply chains. This standard is critical for anyone involved in the development, selection, or quality control of adhesive layers and coatings, particularly where exposure to heat or humidity is a concern.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
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Designation: D1146 − 00 (Reapproved 2018)
Standard Test Method for
Blocking Point of Potentially Adhesive Layers
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1146; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
ε NOTE—Footnote 1 was corrected editorially in May 2019.
1. Scope 3.2.1 adhesive blocking, n—the blocking of a potentially
adhesive face and a standard test paper.
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the block-
ing point of a thermoplastic or a hygroscopic layer or coating 3.2.2 blocking, n—the adhesion between touching layers of
of potentially adhesive material. Potentially adhesive materials similar or dissimilar material, such as occurs under moderate
pressures during storage or use.
comprise those materials in a substantially nonadhesive state
which may be activated to an adhesive state by application of
3.2.3 cohesive blocking, n—the blocking of two similar,
heat or solvents.
potentially adhesive faces.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
3.2.4 critical humidity, n—the lowest humidity at which
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
blocking of a given degree occurs.
only.
3.2.5 critical temperature, n—the lowest temperature at
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
which blocking of a given degree occurs.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2.6 first degree blocking, n—an adherence between the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
surfaces under test of such degree that when the upper
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
specimen is lifted the lower specimen will cling thereto, but
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
may be parted with no evidence of damage to either surface.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.2.7 second degree blocking, n—an adherence of such
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
degreethatwhenthesurfacesundertestsarepartedonesurface
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- or the other will be found to be damaged.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
NOTE 1—It is permissible to designate such other degrees of blocking
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
as may be agreed upon between the manufacturer and the purchaser of the
adhesive.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards: 4. Significance and Use
D907 Terminology of Adhesives
4.1 Since some potentially adhesive materials are both
thermoplastic and hygroscopic, this test method provides
3. Terminology
means for estimating, on the same material, both thermoplastic
3.1 Definitions—Many terms in this test method are defined
and hygroscopic blocking. Because some requirements are
in Terminology D907.
more strict than others, two varying degrees of blocking are
recognized and defined: (1) First degree blocking, and (2)
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
Second degree blocking. Two types of blocking are covered:
(1) Cohesive blocking, and (2) Adhesive blocking.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D14 on
Adhesives and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D14.10 on Working
5. Apparatus and Materials
Properties.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2018. Published November 2018. Originally
5.1 Constant-Temperature Oven, capable of maintaining
approved in 1951. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as D1146 – 00 (2013).
temperaturesupto85 61°C(185 62°F),andofsufficientsize
DOI: 10.1520/D1146-00R18E01.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or to hold one or more desiccators of the type described in 5.2.
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
5.2 Desiccators, for use as humidity chambers, with a
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. minimum diameter of 150 mm (6 in.). The desiccators are
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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D1146 − 00 (2018)
made of glass, with ground flanges and fitting covers. Ground adhesive blocking, superimpose three squares of standard
edges are clean and well lubricated with stopcock grease. paper on the adhesive face of a conditioned test specimen, and
place on a glass plate.Align the test specimens, standard paper,
5.3 Weights, of 0.45 kg (1 lb) each, having a flat base 645
2 2 and glass plate, so that the edges are flush. Place a 0.45-kg
mm (1 in. ) in area.
(1-lb) weight (5.3) on top of the aligned specimens, in the
5.4 Glass Plates, of plate glass, measuring 38 by 38 mm
center of the 38-mm (1 ⁄2-in.) square area.
1 1
(1 ⁄2 by 1 ⁄2 in.).
9.2 Make triplicate assemblies for each of the following
5.5 Standard Paper—General usage filter paper cut in by 38
types of test:
1 1
by 38-mm (1 ⁄2 by 1 ⁄2-in.) squares.
9.2.1 Cohesive Blocking: (1) Thermoplastic (2) Hygro-
scopic.
NOTE 2—In cases where standard paper is deemed
...