Key Links for Adhesive Test Methods

Go straight to the source to find the right test method for your application

If you’ve ever had to develop a validation plan for a new product or a specification for a new material used in your process you know that finding the right standards and test methods is important for success.

Searches can be aided by SaaS platforms such as Engineering Workbench where you can search standards from multiple organizations, download, and compare revisions. However, if your company doesn’t have a subscription, you might have to perform a search the old fashioned way by pouring over lists of documents and navigating each standard organizations’ search feature.

To help ease the pain, the following links can be helpful in locating adhesive test methods or understanding where to find a relevant document. This is intended primarily for industrial applications in North America, so I have left off DIN and BSI links. In some instances the standards or methods have been developed for specific applications; keep this in mind when determining if a method is applicable or appropriate for your purposes.

Note: This list is not a comprehensive list of standards. It should instead help you identify where to look. Links will ultimately take you to the publisher where you can purchase standards as needed.

Links

ASTM International

ASTM International (founded as: the American Society for Testing and Materials) has >150 adhesive-related standards. These include Methods, Practices, Specifications, and Guides. ASTM standards are organized according to Technical Committees and Subcommittees. The relevant committees for adhesives are D10.14 - Tape and Labels and D14 - Adhesives. The Tape and Labels subcommittee has jurisdiction over standards relevant to pressure sensitive adhesives that might be used in products like foam tapes. The following list includes links to each subcommittee where descriptions of specific standards can be found.

• D10 - Packaging

  • D10.14 - Tape and Labels

• D14 - Adhesives

  • D14.03 - Research

  • D14.04 - Terminology

  • D14.10 - Working Properties

  • D14.30 - Wood Adhesives

  • D14.40 - Adhesives for Plastics

  • D14.60 - Adhesive Material Classification System

  • D14.70 - Construction Adhesives

  • D14.80 - Metal Bonding Adhesives

ISO

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has 85 adhesive focused standards. These have been assigned to classification 83.180 of the International Classification for Standards. There are classifications for adhesives standards related to Insulating Materials and Materials for Aerospace Construction, however, as of this writing, these are placeholders without any active documents. Note there are also standards for materials constructed using adhesives (e.g., plywood); I have left these out of the current discussion.

• 83.180 - Adhesives, including adhesive tapes

• 29.035.20 - Plastics and rubber insulating materials (including adhesive tapes)

• 49.025.50 - Adhesives

PSTC

The Pressure Sensitive Tape Council has a book of standard test methods available for purchase.

SAE

SAE International (founded as the Society of Automotive Engineers) has many standards for adhesives and materials used in automotive, aerospace, and commercial vehicle applications. Searching for standards outside of SAE Mobilus can be cumbersome. Fortunately, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has compiled lists of key SAE automotive and aerospace standards to help you locate useful documents.

• SAE Automotive Standards

• SAE Aerospace Standards

Conclusions

Finding the right test methods for your application is an important step for your adhesive selection projects and will take you closer toward commercialization of your product. It lays out the road ahead for testing and frees you up to focus on other areas of the project. Thanks for reading and good luck!

If you have questions about how to develop and execute your own test plan for your application, contact Digital Glissade to schedule a consultation.