Adhesive tapes loaded with granular powders - A comprehensive guide

In April 2018, we faced a challenging project.

A potential client needed to apply powders of mixed and relatively coarse particle size to a support material.

In addition, the material on which he wished to apply the powder solution needed to be self-adhesive.??

It was a unique request that demanded deep knowledge of the different technical aspects of an adhesive solution.?

But, before we get to the project, we want to clarify some specificity of the project.?

Why would you need to develop an adhesive tape loaded with granular powders?

Often, conventional adhesives cannot satisfy the specific needs of a tailor-made application.??

By adding powders or fillers, it is possible to modify many adhesive properties such as thermal or electric conduction, tack, fusion point, etc.

Therefore, if is one or more of these benefits you are looking for, you could consider loading granular powders.

?What are the challenges of developing a granular powder-loaded adhesive tape?

Since this is a complex and unusual procedure, this realization comes with several challenges. Such as:?

• Managing to develop a formulation that performs and guarantees homogeneity. In practice, this could mean adding a filler (in salt or grains) that mixed in the adhesive solution would conduct electricity horizontally and vertically.?
• Ensuring miscibility - the properties of two substances mixed in all proportions and concentrations to form a solution.?
• Adjusting the thickness of the powder solution. If together, the film and adhesive I want to apply measure 130 microns, it would be impossible to apply the adhesive through the coating machine. The bigger the granular entity, the harder it will be to run it through the machinery.

How do you apply adhesive on a surface with granular powder?

There are two ways to do this:?

1. You either mix the powder in the adhesive solution. Which, through the pumps, you insert this solution into the machine that then applies it to the material;
2. Apply the granular powders to the material after the adhesive solution has been applied coating process. This is a complex option because applying the powder in a uniform, homogeneous, and precise way, it’s impossible without the aid of advanced tools.

Our case study?

Now that we got the technicalities out of the way, we can tell you about the project.

The enterprise had been looking for an adhesive coater that offered this service but with no success.?

After the first few meetings, the customer commissioned us with a feasibility study.

1. The first obstacle was the dispersion of the powders.?

The goal was to distribute them evenly over the entire surface, with maximum coverage and quantity.

2. The second issue was how to make this "dusty" surface an adhesive one.

We, therefore, decided to build the prototype equipment to test some ideas that we discussed internally.

After performing various tests and making the necessary changes to the equipment, we could ensure an ideal outcome that met the customer's requirements.

Pilot production was then carried out, with the customer undertaking a series of functional tests for the application.

The result was a happy customer and, for us, a deeper knowledge of the adhesive universe.?

Secad took advantage of its long experience in developing tailor-made self-adhesives to develop a satisfying solution that seemed impossible to create.

Why are we telling you this?

Secad has been developing tailor-made adhesive solutions. Fair to say that after thirty years, we have worked on a range of adhesive solutions and industries so wide that we do not want to bother making a boring list.?

What drives us is the process of putting our knowledge and experience at the service of the next big challenge.?

To give you some more insight, we have managed to apply adhesive on zinc, absorbing mats, mosaic tiles, aluminium, and…you see? That’s just a boring list!

Now we partner with national and global market leaders and never put out the fire that drives in development of new, efficient, adhesive products.?

If you need an adhesive solution and feel like there is no way to develop one with the specific needs you are searching for, give us a call, drop a message, or email.?

Whatever suits you best. We are happy to help.

Secad, tu lo pensi. Noi lo realizziamo.