ASTM D3121-94(1999)

Standard Test Method for Tack of Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives by Rolling Ball

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 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values in the parentheses are given 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Oct-1999
• ICS: 83.180 - Adhesives
• Technical Committee: D10 - Packaging
• Drafting Committee: D10.14 - Tape and Labels

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM D3121-05 - Standard Test Method for Tack of Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives by Rolling Ball
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2005
• Referred By: ASTM D6465-99(2016) - Standard Guide for Selecting Aerospace and General Purpose Adhesives and Sealants
• Effective Date: 10-Oct-1999
• Referred By: ASTM D6123/D6123M-97(2020) - Standard Specification for Pressure-Sensitive Tape for Light-Duty Packaging and General Purpose Masking
• Effective Date: 10-Oct-1999

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:D3121–94 (Reapproved 1999)
Standard Test Method for
Tack of Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives by Rolling Ball
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 3121; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope adhesive before stopping. There are two major retarding forces
applied by the adhesive to the ball: (1) the adhesion between
1.1 This test method covers measurement of the compara-
the ball and the adhesive, often called “grab,” and (2) the
tive tack of pressure-sensitive adhesives by a rolling ball and is
“plowing effect” or energy required to push the adhesive out of
most appropriate for low-tack adhesives. This test method is
the ball’s path.
only one of several available for the measurement of tack.
4.2 Test results are influenced by ( 1) adhesive film thick-
1.1.1 This test method is not recommended for the specifi-
ness, (2) bond of adhesive to backing, and (3) backing rigidity,
cation of end use products.
so these factors must be carefully controlled for satisfactory
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
comparisons.
as the standard. The values in the parentheses are given for
information only.
5. Significance and Use
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
5.1 Therolling-balltacktestisfast,easytorun,andrequires
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
little investment in equipment and little operator training. This
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
test is intended primarily for quality control use since it
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
demonstrates good reproducibility within a single laboratory
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
and ability to detect batch-to-batch variations accurately if
2. Referenced Documents adhesivefilmthicknessisheldconstant.Rollingballtackisnot
intended as an investigative tool since for most pressure
2.1 ASTM Standards:
sensitive adhesive applications rolling ball tack results do not
D 907 Terminology of Adhesives
correlate well with application tack requirements.
E 171 Specification for Standard Atmospheres for Condi-
tioning and Testing Flexible Barrier Materials
6. Apparatus (Fig. 1 and Fig. 2)
3. Terminology 6.1 Inclined Trough equipped with a release lever at the
top through which the ball gains downhill momentum. The
3.1 Definitions—Several terms in this test method are de-
ball is a ⁄16-in. (11.1-mm) diameter steel ball unless otherwise
fined in accordance with Terminology D 907.
specified.
3.2 Description of Term Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 tack—the property of an adhesive that enables it to
7. Test Specimen
form a bond of measurable strength immediately after adhesive
7.1 The test specimen is a substrate coated with a pressure-
and adherend are brought into contact under low pressure.
sensitive adhesive. It is generally about 2 in. (51 mm) wide and
4. Summary of Test Method approximately 15 in. (381 mm) long. Specific sample dimen-
sions can be selected for the adhesive to be tested since the
4.1 In the determination of tack by the rolling-ball method,
length need only be sufficient to allow the adhesive to stop the
a steel ball is released at the top of an incline, allowed to
ball, and the width need be only wide enough to encompass the
accelerate down the incline and roll on to a horizontal surface
ball track.
covered with a pressure-sensitive adhesive. Tack is determined
by measuring the distance that the ball travels across the
8. Conditioning
8.1 Before test, store the pressure-sensitive adhesive-coated
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-14 on substrate at the selected test conditions for 24 h. If other
Adhesives and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D14.50 on Hot Melt and
Pressure Sensitive Adhesives.
Current edition approved Dec. 15, 1994. Published February 1995. Originally
e1
published as D 3121 – 73. Last previous edition D 3121 – 89 .
2 4
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.06. A suitable apparatus is available through the Pressure Sensitive Tape Co
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