Understanding an anti-slip tape’s performance under different conditions is crucial. Adhesive terms like “peel adhesion” and “peel strength” often come up, but what do they mean? At Heskins, we pride ourselves on creating high-performance anti-slip tapes, and a big part of their success comes down to understanding and optimising these key adhesive properties. In this blog, we’ll break down what peel adhesion and peel strength mean and how they differ, as well as explore other important adhesive-related terms to help you make an informed decision.
What is Peel Adhesion?
Peel adhesion measures the quality of the bond when the tape is pulled away from the material it’s adhered to. Think of it as the “stickiness” factor of the tape. This is essential for ensuring that the tape stays firmly in place, even on challenging surfaces such as concrete or other porous surfaces.
Peel adhesion is vital for anti-slip tapes because they often have to endure significant stress from foot traffic, equipment, or environmental factors. High peel adhesion ensures the tape remains fixed, delivering consistent safety performance over time.
What is Peel Strength?
Peel strength, however, measures the force required to pull the tape away at a specific angle. This term focuses on the tape’s ability to resist being peeled off once applied. It reflects the adhesive’s durability and overall holding power under various conditions.
Peel strength is particularly important for anti-slip tapes used in high-stress environments, such as industrial settings or outdoor areas exposed to extreme weather. A higher peel strength means the tape is less likely to lift or fail, even when subjected to heavy use.
How Do Peel Adhesion and Peel Strength Differ?
Although the two terms are closely related, they measure different aspects of adhesive performance. Peel adhesion evaluates how well the adhesive initially bonds to the surface, while peel strength looks at how resilient that bond is under stress.
Practically, a tape with high peel adhesion may stick well when first applied but could lack the peel strength needed to stay firmly in place over time. Conversely, a tape with exceptional peel strength might not adhere effectively if the initial adhesion weakens. At Heskins Ltd, we offer a multitude of anti-slip tapes all with different properties to meet the specific requirements for our customers.
Other Key Adhesive Terms to Know
To fully understand the performance of our anti-slip tapes, here are a few other important adhesive terms:
Shear Strength
This measures the adhesive’s ability to resist forces that attempt to slide the tape parallel to its applied surface. High shear strength is crucial for applications where the tape is subjected to constant friction or movement.
Tack
Refers to the adhesive’s initial stickiness or ability to grab onto a surface when first applied. A high tack ensures easy application and immediate bonding, particularly useful in fast-paced environments.
Cohesion
Cohesion describes the internal strength of the adhesive itself. It measures how well the adhesive holds together without breaking down, even under stress or prolonged exposure to environmental factors.
The Heskins Approach to Adhesive Performance
At Heskins, we know the adhesive is just as crucial as the anti-slip surface. That’s why we carefully design our tapes to balance peel adhesion, peel strength, shear strength, and tack to deliver reliable performance in any environment. Whether you need anti-slip tape for indoor use, industrial applications, or harsh outdoor conditions, our tapes are engineered to stick securely and hold strong for the long term. We also provide removable anti-slip tape for temporary applications, ensuring flexibility without compromising safety. With our extensive range of options, we have a solution to suit every application need.
Understanding adhesive terms like peel adhesion and peel strength is essential when choosing the right anti-slip tape. Peel adhesion determines how well the tape sticks initially, while peel strength reflects its ability to stay bonded under stress. By considering these properties—and others like shear strength and tack—you can select a tape that meets the demands of your environment.
We’re always here to help you find the perfect solution. Contact us today to learn more about our range of anti-slip tapes and how they can improve safety in your space.
