ASTM D6195-03(2019)

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D6195 − 03 (Reapproved 2011) D6195 − 03 (Reapproved 2019)
Standard Test Methods for
Loop Tack
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6195; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of properties of a pressure-sensitive adhesive. These test methods are applicable
to those adhesives that form a bond of measurable strength rapidly upon contact with another surface. Tack force may be measured
as the force required to separate the adhesive from the adherend at the interface shortly after they have been brought into contact
under a load equal only to the weight of the pressure-sensitive article (for example, tape, label, sticker, etc.) on a 1 in. contact
area.
1.2 The following test methods are included:
1.2.1 Test Method A (using Tensile Tester), and
1.2.2 Test Method B (using Loop Tack Tester).
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard because the industry standard width for
pressure-sensitive tape is 1 inch. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for
information only and are not considered standard.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
A666 Specification for Annealed or Cold-Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Sheet, Strip, Plate, and Flat Bar
D907 Terminology of Adhesives
D2651 Guide for Preparation of Metal Surfaces for Adhesive Bonding
E4 Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
E171 Practice for Conditioning and Testing Flexible Barrier Packaging
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
2.2 European Association for the Pre-Adhesed Labeling Industry (FINAT) Standard:
FTM 9 “Quick-Stick” Tack Measurement
2.3 Tag and Label Manufacturers Institute, Inc. (TLMI) Standard:
L-IB1 TLMI Loop Tack Test
L-IB2 Tensile Tester Loop Tack Test
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 Many of the terms found in these test methods are defined in Terminology D907.
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on Packaging and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.14 on Tape and Labels.
Current edition approved April 1, 2011Aug. 1, 2019. Published April 2011August 2019. Originally approved in 1997. Last previous edition approved in 20032011 as
ε1
D6195 – 03 . (2011). DOI: 10.1520/D6195-03R11.10.1520/D6195-03R19.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Available from FINAT, Laan Copes Van Cattenburch 79, 2585 EW, The Hague, Holland.van Nieuw-Oost Indië 131-G 2593 BM, The Hague, P.O. Box 85612, 2508 CH
The Hague, The Netherlands, http://www.finat.com.
Available from TLMI, 40 Shuman Blvd., Ste. 295, Naperville, IL 60563.6 Main St., Milford, OH 45150, https://www.tlmi.com/home.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D6195 − 03 (2019)
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 These test methods involve allowing a loop of pressure-sensitive adhesive with its backing to be brought into controlled
contact with a 1 in. (25 by 25 mm) surface of stainless steel, with the only force applied being the weight of the pressure-sensitive
article itself. The pressure-sensitive article is then removed from the substrate, with the force to remove the pressure-sensitive
article from the adherend measured by a recording instrument.
4.2 Test Method A (using a Tensile Tester) applies when a Tensile Tester is used to measure loop tack and involves the use of
a loop prepared from an 7 in. (175 mm) specimen strip.
4.3 Test Method B (using a Loop Tack Tester) applies when a Loop Tack Tester is used to measure loop tack and involves the
use of a loop prepared from a 5 in. (125 mm) specimen strip.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 These test methods provide a quantitative measure of the pressure-sensitive tack property of an adhesive.
5.2 These test methods are designed to measure the tack property of the adhesive mass. The tack of a given adhesive varies
depending on the backing (generally, stiffer backings lead to higher values).
5.3 Theses test methods are suitable for quality control and research purposes.
5.4 Test Method A (using Tensile Tester) makes use of a specimen strip 7 in. (175 mm) in length. Both the FINAT FTM 9 “Quick
Stick” Tack Measurement Test and the TLMI L-IB2 Tensile Tester Loop Tack Test also use a specimen strip of that length.
5.5 Test Method B (using Loop Tack Tester) makes use of a specimen strip five in. (125 mm) in length. That is the only length
specimen strip that fits properly in the loop tack tester.
5.6 If the adhesive is not already otherwise coated, these test methods incorporate the use of a clear 2 mil (0.05 mm) polyester
(PET) film backing for specimen preparation. Use of other backing materials changes performance of the specimen to be tested.
TEST METHOD A (Using a Tensile Tester)
6. Apparatus
6.1 Tensile Tester—A constant rate of extension type.
6.2 Test Fixture (Fig. 1 or Fig. 2 )—To be mounted into the jaws of the tensile tester. A panel held by the test fixture allows
for a 1 in. (25 by 25 mm) contact area of the pressure-sensitive article. Alternately, the test fixture may include a raised area that
allows a 1 in. (25 by 25 mm) contact area of the pressure-sensitive article.
6.2.1 The panel or the raised area of the test fixture is stainless steel as specified in Specification A666.
6.3 Apparatus for Cutting:
6.3.1 Die Cutter—A 1 by 7 in. (25 by 175 mm) rectangular mallet-type die cutter with mallet for sample preparation.
6.3.2 If a fixed dimension die is unavailable, substitute a 1-in. (25-mm) steel bar with a double razor knife or other apparatus
suitable for cutting the specimen into the specified dimensions to prepare the 1 in. (25 mm) wide specimen strips.
6.4 Absorbent Lint-Free Cleaning Material—Materials produced from entirely virgin raw materials and containing less than
0.25 % by weight of solvent-leechable materials.
6.5 Masking Tape—1 in. (25 mm) wide.
FIG. 1 Loop Tack Test Fixture 1
Available from Chem Instruments, 510 Commercial Drive, Fairfield, OH 45014-7593.
D6195 − 03 (2019)
FIG. 2 Loop Tack Test Fixture 2
FIG. 3 Loop Tack Sample During Test
6.6 2 mil (0.05 mm) PET Film—To be used as a support medium in evaluating unsupported adhesives such as transfer tapes,
laminating adhesives, or other free-film adhesives.
6.7 Reagents—Appropriate reagents include acetone, diacetone alcohol, n-heptane and toluene, reagent or analytical grade, or
an ethanol cleaner for water-based adhesives.
7. Sample Preparation
7.1 Cut sample into 1 by 7 in. (25 by 175 mm) specimen strips in the machine direction (when known) of the pressure-sensitive
article. Use of strips of other lengths may change results. Cut at least three specimen strips for each adhesive to be tested.
NOTE 1—If transfer or unsupported adhesives are to be tested, these are to be laminated to 2 mil (0.05 mm) PET film, used as an adhesive support,
prior to cutting the samples into the 1 by 7 in. (25 by 175 mm) specimen strips.
7.2 Condition specimens to be tested for at least 24 h in a testing room at 73.4 6 3.6°F (23 6 2°C) and a relative humidity
of 50 6 5 %, in accordance with Specification E171, prior to conducting the test.
8. Conditioning
8.1 Testing Room—Test in a standard laboratory atmosphere, at 73.4 6 3.6°F (23 6 2°C) and a relative humidity of 50 6 5 %,
in accordance with Specification E171.
9. Procedure
9.1 Ensure that the tensile tester is calibrated according to instructions supplied by the manufacturer and conforming to the
requirements of Practices E4.
9.2 Set the instrument crosshead speed at 12 in. (300 mm)/min.
9.3 Place the test fixture in the lower grip of the tensile tester. It is important that the test fixture be level and straight in the
lower grip. See Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. 3.
9.4 Set gaps for the crosshead using the minimum and maximum gap setting on the extension cycle. Set gaps 1 6 0.05 in. (25
6 1 mm) (critical) and 4 6 0.1 in. (100 6 3 mm) (optional) from the bottom of the upper grips to the face of the stainless steel
portion of the test fixture when the test fixture is locked in the lower grips. Set the chart recorder speed for 2 in. (50 mm)/min.
Set the chart recorder load scale to 20 lb (90 N) full scale.
9.5 Clean the stainless steel portion of the test fixture (the area the pressure-sensitive article will contact) prior to use using
reagent(s) from 6.7. Use absorbent, lint-free cleaning material. Use a separate piece of cleaning material each time. Repeat for a
total of three washes after the test fixture appears clean. Allow 2 min to elapse after cleaning to ensure complete evaporation of
the cleaning solvent. The user must ensure that the cleaning method used removes all residue from the test fixture. The water-break
test, described in Guide D2651, may be used to verify cleanliness.
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9.6 Completely remove the release liner (if the pressure-sensitive article normally includes a release liner) from the specimen.
9.7 Bend the specimen completely back on itself, being careful not to crease it. The specimen forms a tear drop shaped loop
with the adhesive surface facing out.
9.8 Fasten the ends of the loop together, using a strip of masking tape 1 in. (25 mm) wide (Fig. 4). The masking tape covers
the ends of the loop, preventing contamination of the grips of the tensile tester.
9.9 Insert the taped end of the specimen loop into the upper grips so that the bottom edge of the masking tape is even with the
bottom edges of the grips.
9.10 Turn on the chart recorder. Activate the tensile tester so that the crosshead moves downward. The mid-section of the
specimen loop must contact the center of the stainless steel portion of the test fixture. When the crosshead reaches its minimum
position, it will immediately switch direction and move upward. When the crosshead is at its minimum position, the specimen loop
will completely cover the 1 in. (25 mm) area of the stainless steel portion of the test fixture without excessive “hang-over” of the
edges.
NOTE 2—If the tensile tester does not have automatic cycling, cycling must be done manually.
9.11 Record the maximum force required to remove the specimen loop from the stainless steel portion of the test fixture as well
as the mode of failure.
9.11.1 Record the failure mode as adhesion, cohesion or transfer.
9.12 Repeat procedure (9.5 to 9.11.1) at least two additional times for each adhesive to be tested (for a minimum of three
replicates). Use a fresh specimen strip for each test.
9.13 When testing is complete, clean the stainless steel portion of the test fixture with approved reagent. Cover with masking
tape when not in use to protect the surface from scratches.
TEST METHOD B (Using a Loop Tack Tester)
10. Apparatus
10.1 Loop Tack Tester (Fig. 5) ,also used in TLMI Test L-IB1.
10.2 Stainless Steel Test Panels—1 in. (25 mm) by 6 in. (150 mm), stainless steel as specified in Specification A666.
10.3 Apparatus for Cutting.
10.3.1 Die Cutter—A 1 by 5 in. (25 by 125 mm) rectangular mallet-type die cutter with mallet for sample preparation.
10.3.2 If a fixed dimension die is unavailable, substitute a 1 in. (25-mm) steel bar with a double razor knife or other apparatus
suitable for cutting the specimen into the specified dimensions to prepare the 1 in. (25 mm) wide specimen strips.
10.4 Absorbent Lint-Free Cleaning Material—Materials produced from entirely virgin raw materials and containing less than
0.25 % by weight of solvent-leechable materials.
10.5 Masking Tape—0.5 in. (12.5 mm) wide.
10.6 2 mil (0.05 mm) PET Film—To be used as a support medium in evaluating unsupported adhesives such as transfer tapes,
laminating adhesives, or other free-film adhesives.
10.7 Reagents—Appropriate reagents include acetone, diacetone alcohol, n-heptane and toluene, reagent or analytical grade, or
an ethanol cleaner for water-based adhesives.
FIG. 4 Specimen Loop - Test Method A
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FIG. 5 Loop Tack Tester
11. Sample Preparation
11.1 Cut the sample into 1 by 5 in. (25 by 125 mm) specimen strips in the machine direction (when known) of the
pressure-sensitive article. Use of strips of other lengths may change results and will not fit properly in the loop tack tester. Cut at
least three specimen strips for each adhesive to be tested.
NOTE 3—If transfer or unsupported adhesives are to be tested, these are to be laminated to 2 mil (0.05 mm) PET film, used as an adhesive support,
prior to cutting the samples into the 1 by 5 in. (25 by 125 mm) specimen strips.
11.2 Condition the specimens to be tested for at least 24 h in the testing room at 73.4 6 3.6°F (23 6 2°C) and a relative humidity
of 50 6 5 %, in accordance with Specification E171, prior to conducting the test.
12. Conditioning
12.1 Testing Room—Test in a standard laboratory atmosphere, at 74.3 6 3.6°F (23 6 2°C) and a relative humidity of 50 6 5 %,
in accordance with Specification E171.
13. Procedure
13.1 Ensure that the loop tack tester is leveled and connected to electrical power. Release the upper assembly locking lever (Fig.
5(B)).
13.2 Turn the power switch (Fig. 5(E)) to
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