Fruit Stickers AdhesivesStephanie McQuaid

Brief History of Pressure Sensitive Adhesives Created in 1845 by a surgeon named Dr. Horace

Day. The adhesive consisted of India rubber, turpentine

extracts of cayenne pepper, litharge, pine gum, and other ingredients. The adhesive was added to a cloth support to create the first form of tape.

Commercial tapes: early twentieth century. (~1920) The first industrial use was in auto industries. The

tapes were used to create masks for two-toned colored cars.

Shortly after household/DIY adhesives became available to the public in small amounts.

History Continued Adhesive Ingredients/Continued

There are many different combinations of ingredients to create adhesive types. Adhesives are patented by companies, each individual company has their own adhesive.

After contacting Chiquita about what their adhesives are made of, their reply was as follows:

“Much of the material that students request is either difficult for us to develop or may be confidential…The adhesive type is "hot melt rubber". It's a rubber based adhesive with high initial tack and bond strength, for a wide variety of substrates.”

How do PSAs work? Pressure sensitive adhesives require pressure to

initiate bonding between the adhesive and the substrate.

All other adhesives require heat, water or a solvent to be applied to the substrate.

<http://www.lgintl.com/LabelEducation/PSL/label-education-adhesives.htm>, <http://www.lgintl.com/LabelEducation/PSL/label-education-adhesives.htm>

How do pressure sensitive adhesives effect the environment? The ingredients used in the adhesives give off

toxin/hazardous chemicals being released into the air. Toxins/hazardous chemicals released to the environment

vary based upon how the adhesive is made and for what kind of product.

Solvent-based adhesives are the most volatile to the environment.

Harmful substances: volatile organic compounds toxic curing agents plasticizers diluents and other additives

Adhesion Methods Solvent Hot melt Emulsion

Solvent Adhesive ingredients are dissolved in

solvent solution and applied to a web of material. The solvent then dries leaving the adhesive behind.

Most volatile to the environment. Ex: Sealants

Hot Melt Thermoplastic rubbers are formulated

with tackifying resins, oils and antioxidants. Need to be heated to adhere to the substrate.

Resist temperatures up to 300° F Ex: Hot glue

Emulsion Ingredients are emulsified in water,

applied to a web and then dried, the adhesive is left behind.

Ex: Glue stick

How Adhesives are Compared Shear Tack/ Tensile Peel Adhesion Cold flow/ ooze/ Bleed

Shear Measure of the internal or cohesive

strength of the adhesive. This is tested by putting equal pressure in opposite

directions on each side of the adhesive layer.

There is an inverse relationship between shear and the tack and peel adhesion.

<http://www.lgintl.com/LabelEducation/PSL/label-education-adhesives.htm>

Tack/ Tensile Measure of the force required to remove

the label and adhesive from the substrate. Tested by using force to pull the adhesive away from

the substrate.

It also refers to the measure of initial attraction of the adhesive to the substrate.

Manipulated by manufacturers to fit consumers needs.

<http://www.lgintl.com/LabelEducation/PSL/label-education-adhesives.htm>

Peel Adhesion Measures bond strength between an

adhesive and a substrate. Tested by adding stress in a peeling motion away

from the substrate.

Adhesion continues to increase for 24 hours after being applied to the material.

<http://www.lgintl.com/LabelEducation/PSL/label-education-adhesives.htm>

Cold flow/ ooze/ Bleed Bleed Through: The migration of

components from the adhesive onto the face material.

Cold Flow: The viscous flow of a PSA under stress. Signs of this shows that the adhesive is

dysfunctional.

Adhesive Formulation Rubber-based Adhesives Acrylic Adhesives Modified Acrylic Adhesives

Rubber-based Adhesives Made of synthetic, non-latex rubbers, formulated

with tackified resins, oils and antioxidants. Good for initial tack and adhesion for low-

surface-energy. Low temperature resistance (typically <150° F) Low resistance to solvents, sterilization,

chemicals or ultraviolet rays. Used for adhesion with high moisture

application.

Acrylic Adhesives Based on acrylic polymers. More resistant to solvents, UV light, elevated

temperatures, plasticizers and chemical reagents than rubber-based adhesives.

More costly than rubber based adhesives. Longer lasting adhesion and resistance to

environmental conditions than rubber-based adhesives.

Low to moderate initial tack and adhesion. Do not adhere well to low-surface-energy

substrates.

Modified Acrylic Adhesives Hybrid between rubber-based and acrylic-

based adhesives. Improved initial tack and adhesion to low-

surface-energy materials. Decreased resistance to solvents, plasticizers

and UV light. Shear properties and temperature resistance

are reduced. Lose internal strength and environmental

stability because they are modified.

Additional Effects to the Environment Solvent-based (rubber or acrylic)

pressure sensitive adhesives use a toluene and other organic solvents. Toluene and other volatile organic

solvents are not beneficial to the environment or to the body.

Comparison of Adhesive FormulationFEATURE ACRYLIC MODIFIED ACRYLIC

RUBBER BASED

Adhesion Medium to High High Medium to High

Cost Medium to High Medium to High Lowest

HSE Plastics* Excellent Excellent Excellent

LSE Plastics* Poor Moderate Excellent

Plasticizer Resistance Good Moderate Poor

Shear Medium to High Low Medium to High

Solvent Resistance Medium to High Low to Moderate Poor

Tack Low to Moderate High Medium to High

Temperature Resistance

Medium to High Low to Moderate Low

UV Resistance Good Poor Poor

*HSE: High Surface Energy Plastics: HDPE, PET, PETE, Vinyl, Polypropylene*LSE: Low Surface Energy Plastics: LDPE, Polystyrene, Teflon, Rubber (latex)

Table courtesy of Chemsultants Inc.

Types of Adhesives

Permanent Adhesives Good bonding characteristics and withstand

most environmental conditions. Performance depends on the surface they

are applied to.

Removable Adhesives Has a short-term life or is applied to a

surface that could be damaged by the adhesive.

Longer-term removable adhesives are available. Strength depends on the manipulation of the

ingredients added to create the adhesive. This differs with each company.

Repositionable Adhesives Allows label to be applied more than once

onto the same or different surface without leaving residue behind.

What is best for sticker on fruit?

Permanent indirect food contact

Good initial tack and adhesion.

Adhesive Effects on the Environment after Use There is a wide variety of PSAs that are

petroleum-based. Petroleum-based are NOT biodegradable

but are labeled disposable. Acrylic polymers and copolymers are also

not biodegradable. The only PSA that are biodegradable are

natural rubber-based adhesives.

Dyna-Tech Adhesive Dyna-Tech Adhesives & Coatings Division, Inc., was

founded by Richard C. Oldack in 1981. His goal was to manufacture adhesives that are

environmentally friendly adhesives. As well as make other industries and consumers aware of the benefits of his adhesives.

The adhesives used by Dyna-Tech are rubber-resin, water-based, PSAs for major tape, labeling and graphic arts industries. If the larger industries used these environmentally

friendly adhesives then hopefully it would be enough to make a difference for the environment.

Data Sheets This is what a company would disclose to the

public. The amount of information given is dependent on what the company is willing to disclose. DyTac 9127 PSA 2300

Alternative Solutions Use more natural rubber-based adhesives for

faster biodegradable labels. Use edible stamps/labels.

Draw backs: food/dye allergies Fruitwash

The label is made of soap for your fruit, overall it is better for your health.

Switch to low-solvent adhesives. If possible, use solvent-free adhesives to

prevent excess emissions into the environment.

Alternative Solutions Continued Use more organic polymers and pre-polymers if all other options are

exhausted. These are not easily biodegradable, but can be removed by biological

treatments. Recycle old adhesive in a compost (industrial level) Change the way the adhesives are made:

Create more water-based, solvent-free, solid-based, low toxicity adhesives to better the environment. This will limit the amount of emissions being let into the environment.

Also use more water-based, solid-based, solvent-free, adhesives with low toxicity. Not all water-based adhesives are non-polluting, this must be monitored

before creating the adhesive. Replace solvent-based adhesives with emulsion-type acrylic pressure-

sensitive adhesives This will also limit the emissions being let into the environment

Work CitedAdhesive and Sealants Council. "Environmental Protection." Environmental Protection. Adhesive and Sealants Council, Jan. 2012. Web. 13

Nov. 2012. <http://www.adhesives.org/adhesives-sealants/adhesives-sealants-overview/health-safety/environmental-protection>.  

Amron, Scott. "PRODUCE WASH FRUIT LABELS."PRODUCE_WASH_FRUIT_LABELS. Amron Experimental, Inc, 2011. Web. 16 Nov. 2012. <http://www.amronexperimental.com/Fruit_Wash_Labels.html>.

Chemsultants Inc. "Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Information." Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Information || Chemsultants International. Chemsultans International Inc., Jan. 2012. Web. 10 Nov. 2012. <http://www.chemsultants.com/technical-resources/pressure-sensitive-adhesive-info.aspx>.

Chiquita. Responding representative. Personal interview. 11 Oct. 2012.Dyna-Tech, Inc. "Dyna-Tech Adhesives and Coatings." DyTac. Dyna-Tech, Inc., 2012. Web. 16 Nov. 2012. <http://www.dyna-

techadhesives.com/products/adhesives/pressure-sensitive-adhesives/dytac/>.Eco Pack Store. "Eco Friendly Cellulose Tape." Eco Friendly Cellulose Tape. Insomnis Enterprises, 2009. Web. 16 Nov. 2012.

<http://www.ecopackstore.com/products/products/eco-friendly-tape/eco-friendly-cellulose-tape-1.html>.FDA. "CFR - Code of Federal Regulations Title 21." CFR - Code of Federal Regulations Title 21. Health & Human Services, 01 Apr. 2012. Web.

20 Nov. 2012. <http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfCFR/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=175.125>.LGInternational, Inc. "Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Families." Pressure Sensitive Label Adhesives. LGInternational, Inc., Jan. 2010. Web. 13

Nov. 2012. <http://www.lgintl.com/LabelEducation/PSL/label-education-adhesives.htm>.Meitaibang Chemical Co., LTD, Shenzhen. "Adhesive Industry and Environmental Issues and the Development of Green

Adhesives." Adhesive Industry and Environmental Issues and the Development of Green Adhesive - Instant Adhesive | Thread Locking Agent | UV Glue | AB Glue | Surface Treatment Agent | U.S. Taibang Technology Co., Ltd. of Shenzhen City . U.S. Taibang Technology Co., Ltd. of Shenzhen City, Jan. 2012. Web. 13 Nov. 2012. <http://glue-adhesive.com/en/JiaoZhanJiHangYeDeHuanBaoWenTiJiJiFaZhanLvSeJiaoZhanJi.html>.

Merrily A. Smith, Norvell M. M. Jones, Susan L. Page, & Marian Peck Dirda. "Pressure-Sensitive Tape and Techniques for its Removal From Paper"JAIC 1984, Volume 23, Number 2, Article 3 (pp. 101 to 113http://cool.conservation-us.org/coolaic/jaic/articles/jaic23-02-003.html

O'Loughlin, Elissa, and Linda Stiber. "Hinge, Tape, and Adhesive Removal." Http://cool.conservation-us.org. American Institute of Historic and Artistic Works, 27 Mar. 1992. Web. 13 Nov. 2012. <http://cool.conservation-us.org/coolaic/sg/bpg/pcc/15_hinge-tape-and-adhesive-removal.pdf>.

XL Brands. "Pressure Sensitive Adhesive 2300." Committed to Innovation, Technology and the Enviornment. XL Brands, 2011. Web. 16 Nov. 2012. <https://www.interfaceflor.com/PDF/Products/Technical/Adhesive2300_TechData.pdf>.