Pretreating surfaces:
Surfaces have to be dry, free of dust, grease, oil, release agents and other soiling. Prevent any condensation formation. Condensation may, for example, develop if the objects to be adhered to are moved from a cold space into a warm space. To not stick to any surfaces on which there are any silicones, paraffins or waxes. When pretreating with paint, avoid additives that reduce adhesive force. It is no problem for surfaces to be cleaned chemically or mechanically prior to adhesions.
Chemical pretreatment:
The following cleaning agents can be used to remove dust, grease, oil and release agents: Isopropanol (IPA), a mixture of isopropanol and distilled water at a ratio of 1:1 or common commercially available degreasing chemicals. Important: Be very sure to check through your own testing the suitability solvents, especially for cleaning naphtha, MEK, toluene, acetone, MIBK, heptanes and the like. The manufacturer's safety instructions must be followed. Be sure to remember to protect yourself.
Mechanical pretreatment:
After degreasing, the surface to be adhered to can be roughened using a sanding cloth. Adhesion on roughened, i.e. enlarged surfaces usually produce greater strength. Blast off the sanding dust and/or wipe with a lint-free disposable paper towel. Once surfaces have been cleaned and treated, the adhesion to them should be done as soon as possible, and they should be protected from becoming soiled again, especially by fingerprints. If the adhesion is carried out at a later time, we recommend self-adhesive protective foils.
Qualities of surfaces to be adhered to:
Surfaces to be adhered to have to be solid and sturdy. Any loose particles have to be removed or bound by a primer. It is a fact that the strength of any adhesion is only as good as the strength of the surface. For rough, uneven surfaces, use thick, compensating adhesive tapes.
Temperature for use:
The best temperature for use is with the temperature of the object and the surrounding temperature between +20° C and +30° C with normal relative humidity indoors. Avoid using adhesive tapes at temperatures below +10° C. Especially in winter be sure that adhesive tapes are not stored in unheated premises and thus too cold when used. Condensation must also be absolutely prevented, such as when materials to be connected are taken from cold storage premises into warm production premises. Provide for sufficient time so that the temperatures of the items to be joined can adjust to one another.
How to use:
The strength of an adhesion is directly dependent on the contact that the adhesive develops with the surfaces to be adhered to. High contact pressure, such as with a pressure roller, usually improves the adhesive contact compared with doing the operation simply "by hand". But be sure to mind the fact that, for example with woven or non-woven structures, with too much pressure the adhesive can get pressed into the substrate, then no longer being available for the adhesion process. All tools used in the operation (including hands) have to be clean and free of oil and release agents. For adhesive tapes with extreme load-bearing capacities, bear in mind that the maximum adhesive force is not reached for 24 hours and in unfavourable conditions 72 hours after application. Do not stick under tensile stress!
Storage:
At a storage temperature of approx +20° C and 50% rel. humidity, adhesive tapes can be stored unused for twelve months in their original cardboard box. Opened items should be stored in the original packaging without direct radiation by the sun. Do not allow any contamination by, for example, plasticizer or the like.
Instructions for bonding to common materials
Metal bonds:
These are usually unproblematic surfaces to be adhered to. If such surfaces are carefully cleaned, no problems usually develop in the bonding. The following problem cases may occur: With nonferrous metals, such as lead, brass, nickel and copper, self-adhesive compounds may chemically react with the surface, creating discolouration. With anodised aluminium, residues may come about especially with synthetic rubber. Never attach masking tapes for longer than three days. We will be glad to advise you. Rule of thumb: If, when wiped over with a rag saturated with ink, any ink residue remains visible on the surface, it is definitely necessary to carry out a test of the bonding.
Plastics and painted surfaces:
These are usually problem-free surfaces to be adhered to. With the following materials, interactions between the surface adhered to and the adhesive can have negative effects on the bonding: Soft PVC and in part also EPDM. Discolouration may be caused by softening agent diffusion. If an adhesive tape is to be removed after being in place a long time, residue of the adhesive often remains on the surface. So-called low-energy plastics, such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), coating powders and rubber materials are considered to be critical surfaces. In adhesive bonds, the strength of the molecular force of attraction between two different materials, the so-called adhesion, is crucial to their load-bearing capacity. Special variations of adhesive tapes with more favourable flow behaviour today make bonding even these materials possible in many cases. Test bonding is urgently advised.
Remove gradually the residue of adhesive compound
Instructions on removing adhesive tapes:
It occurs that adhesive tapes are not used and removed properly, or residue is left when removed, such as when for short-term outdoor applications, products are exposed for longer than three days to the weather and UV stressing. The adhesive tape backing should be pulled off slowly and evenly. Warming up with a blow-dryer makes it easier to pull off. Residue of the adhesive should be removed gradually!
Synthetic rubber:
The backing can be pulled off, and the adhesive compound is still soft: Remove with industrial cleanser or adhesive cleaner, or alternatively, cleaner's naphtha. The carrier is brittle, and the adhesive compound is slightly solidified: Heat backing with blow-dryer and carefully pull off. Treat adhesive as above. If the adhesive compound has already solidified, the remaining adhesive has to be softened for at least one minute. Then scrape off the softened compound with a plastic trowel.
Acrylate adhesive:
Test the following solvent mixture for removing the adhesive compound: Cleaner's naphtha, special adhesive cleaner, mixture of 40% spirit and 40% cleaner's naphtha as well as 20% acetone. Or a mixture of 50% ethyl acetate and 50% xylene. The adhesive compound can usually just soak, but not be dissolved. We therefore recommend thorough soaking and then scraping off the adhesive compound through preliminary testing on a concealed spot. Take precautions against damage to the surface! Rub away residue of adhesive with a cloth soaked with solvent. Be very sure to provide for sufficient ventilation. Use a suitable respiratory protection mask if required.
Attention!
We give all our instructions and recommendations to the best of our knowledge based on our practical experience. However, as conditions of use are will always vary, we recommend doing your own testing of the suitability of the products listed through your own tests. We are gladly available to you for any further questions you might have. Please note that for the reasons cited, we can only reject any liability in cases of failures.