ASTM D3121-17
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Tack of Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives by Rolling Ball
Standard Test Method for Tack of Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives by Rolling Ball
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The rolling-ball tack test is fast, easy to run, and requires little investment in equipment and little operator training. This test is intended primarily for quality control use since it demonstrates good reproducibility within a single laboratory and ability to detect batch-to-batch variations accurately if adhesive film thickness is held constant. Rolling ball tack is not intended as an investigative tool since for most pressure sensitive adhesive applications rolling ball tack results do not correlate well with application tack requirements.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers measurement of the comparative tack of pressure-sensitive adhesives by a rolling ball and is most appropriate for low-tack adhesives. This test method is only one of several available for the measurement of tack.
1.1.1 This test method is not recommended for the specification of end use products.
1.2 Values stated in either SI or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents, therefore, each system must be used independently without combining values in any way.
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 and health 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
Relations
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.
Designation: D3121 − 17
Standard Test Method for
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Tack of Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives by Rolling Ball
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3121; 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.
1. Scope 3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Many of the terms found in this test
1.1 This test method covers measurement of the compara-
method are defined in Terminology D907.
tive tack of pressure-sensitive adhesives by a rolling ball and is
most appropriate for low-tack adhesives. This test method is
4. Summary of Test Method
only one of several available for the measurement of tack.
4.1 In the determination of tack by the rolling-ball method,
1.1.1 This test method is not recommended for the specifi-
a steel ball is released at the top of an incline, allowed to
cation of end use products.
accelerate down the incline and roll on to a horizontal surface
1.2 Values stated in either SI or inch-pound units are to be
covered with a pressure-sensitive adhesive. Tack is determined
regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each
by measuring the distance that the ball travels across the
system may not be exact equivalents, therefore, each system
adhesive before stopping. There are two major retarding forces
must be used independently without combining values in any
applied by the adhesive to the ball: (1) the adhesion between
way.
the ball and the adhesive, often called “grab,” and (2) the
“plowing effect” or energy required to push the adhesive out of
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
the ball’s path.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.2 Test results are influenced by (1) adhesive film
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
thickness, (2) bond of adhesive to backing, and (3) backing
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
rigidity, so these factors must be carefully controlled for
satisfactory comparisons.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
5. Significance and Use
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
5.1 Therolling-balltacktestisfast,easytorun,andrequires
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
little investment in equipment and little operator training. This
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
test is intended primarily for quality control use since it
demonstrates good reproducibility within a single laboratory
2. Referenced Documents
and ability to detect batch-to-batch variations accurately if
adhesivefilmthicknessisheldconstant.Rollingballtackisnot
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2.1 ASTM Standards:
intended as an investigative tool since for most pressure
D907 Terminology of Adhesives
sensitive adhesive applications rolling ball tack results do not
E171 Practice for Conditioning and Testing Flexible Barrier
correlate well with application tack requirements.
Packaging
D5750/D5750M Guide for Width and Length of Pressure-
6. Apparatus (Fig. 1 and Fig. 2)
Sensitive Tape
6.1 Inclined Trough equipped with a release lever at the top
through which the ball gains downhill momentum. The ball is
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a11mm( ⁄16in.)diametersteelballunlessotherwisespecified.
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This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on
Packaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.14 on Tape and
7. Reagents
Labels.
CurrenteditionapprovedMay1,2017.PublishedJuly2017.Originallyapproved
7.1 Purity of Reagents—Reagent grade chemicals should be
in 1973. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as D3121 – 06 which was
used in all tests. Other grades may be used, provided it is first
withdrawn January 2015 and reinstated in May 2017. DOI: 10.1520/D3121-17.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or ascertained that the reagent is of sufficiently high purity to
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
permit its use without lessening accuracy of the determination.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. 7.2 Solvents:
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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D3121 − 17
10.2 Prior to the tests of each lot of adhesive
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