Scope:

The T-peel test (ASTM D1876) determines how much force is needed to gradually separate two bound, flexible adherents. Peel tests intended for flexible adhesives are designed to measure resistance to highly localized stresses. A peel test also measures a material’s adhesive strength and the adhesive bonding strength between two materials. The T-peel test is commonly used to assess an adhesively bonded system’s surface treatment and environmental endurance. 

Variations in test specimen preparation, such as adhesive curing, adhesive thickness, adherents,  and conditioning reveal opportunities for process and application improvement.

Procedure:

According to ASTM D1876, the test specimen’s bent, unbonded ends are gripped in the tension testing machine’s test grips. A steady head speed of 254 mm (10 in.)/min is used to attach the load. The bond will separate at a rate of 127 mm (5 in.) per minute at this speed. During the peel test, an autographic recording of load vs head movement or load vs distance peeled is made.  After that, the peel resistance of the bond line for at least 127-mm (5-in.) length after the initial peak is determined.

Video 01: ASTM D1876 Measuring T-peel resistance of adhesives

Specimen size:

As per ASTM D1876, specimens with dimensions 25.4 mm (1.0 in) * 300 mm  (12 in) are cut from a T-peel panel.  

Data : 

For ASTM D1876, the peel load is reported in pounds per inch of the specimen width required to separate the adherents.

Conclusion:

The T-peel test (ASTM D1876) determines how much force is needed to gradually separate two bound, flexible adherents.