Introduction
ASTM D6295-98, entitled “Standard Test Method for Dispensability of Light–Duty Pressure–Sensitive Film Tape,” is one standard ASTM International provides on how to test light-duty PSA film tapes for dispensability. Because of their versatility and ease of application are also employed in various construction, electrical, and packaging applications. Dispensability is one of the most critical properties for industries where high-speed application of PSA tapes is required. This standard provides quantitative and qualitative methods to evaluate the performance of a PSA tape being dispensed by hand-held or mechanical dispensers.
Scope
The ASTM D6295-98 test method measures the ease of severing or dispensing the tape. This test suits office and stationery tapes with acetate, cellophane, or light-duty plastic backings. Pressure-sensitive film tapes come in roll form. Most Tape dispensers found in offices and stationeries should be able to sever these film tapes with a blade. The data from this test is used in product design and quality assurance. It can also compare different tape products on specific dispensing blades.
Test Procedure
In the ASTM D6295-98 test method, the operator mounts the test fixture containing the dispenser blade in the lower jaw of the tensile tester. The operator should set the distance between the teeth of the blade and the upper jaw to 50 mm, measuring from the tape edge, where the dispenser blade teeth will first puncture. Combining the jaw movement rate and the jaw separation from the dispensing teeth provides a strain rate of 500 %/min.
The end of the tape specimen is folded over 12 mm to form a tab and placed in the jaw. This tab is placed in the tester’s upper jaw, ensuring alignment. The adhesive side of the lower portion of the specimen is adhered to the land of the blade, over the teeth of the blade, with very slight tension on the tape specimen. The stressing jaw is operated at 250 mm/min until the blade has severed the specimen.
Sample Size and Result Analysis
The following are the technical specifications of ASTM D6295-98
| Sample size | The test specimens should be 18 mm wide and about 150 mm long. At least ten specimens are needed per roll. |
| Result | The result derived is the force required to dispense film tape. |
Applications of ASTM D6295-98
The dispensability of light-duty pressure-sensitive film tape is critical for many industries where time and precision are essential. The test results from ASTM D6295-98 are precious in applications such as
- Packaging Industry
This process allows users to easily dispense pressure-sensitive tapes for sealing lightweight packages without tearing or sticking, improving packaging efficiency.
- Consumer Products
Used to test the dispensability of tapes like Scotch or masking tape, ensuring they are user-friendly and work consistently in manual or automated dispensers.
- Industrial Use
In manufacturing, where tapes are used in automated dispensing machines, this test ensures the tapes feed smoothly through machines to avoid downtime or tape waste.
- Retail and Packaging Systems
In stores or crafting environments where users frequently use tape, this test ensures they can easily pull and cut it from a dispenser, preventing frustration.
Conclusion
ASTM D6295-98 is the primary standard for measuring the dispensability of light-duty pressure-sensitive film tapes. Major characteristics the test method would focus on during
This specification helps the manufacturer systematically test the tapes to retain their performance attributes over time and for inefficiency—and reliability-dependent applications. It has emphasized practical and real-world conditions, and thus, specification ASTM D6295-98 contributes decisively to the light-duty PSA tape quality control process, serving the interests of industries that depend on their comfort and reliability.
FAQs
The tester places the specimen between compressive plates parallel to the surface and compresses it uniformly. They record the maximum load and stress-strain data. An extensometer attached to the front of the fixture determines the modulus.
Take one end of the tape and peel it from the glass at right angles, stripping it at about one inch every five seconds. If it holds pretty well, then you know that the tack (the tape bonding to the glass) and the adhesion (the tape sticking to the glass) are satisfactory.
Calculate tensile strength by dividing the load by the bonding area: N/A = tensile strength your adhesive tape requires.
The tape is applied to the surface with a defined amount of pressure and then allowed to remain on the surface for a controlled amount of time (often 20 minutes, but tests using 24 hours or more are also performed). After that time, the tape is peeled off using a machine capable of measuring the force needed.
It includes testing adhesive strength, such as collecting tensile, shear, and peel data, and conducting other adhesive property tests (e.g., impact, odor, and aging). You can perform testing in hot, wet, or dry conditions at ambient, elevated, or reduced temperatures.
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