Standard Test Method for Peel Adhesion of Pressure-Sensitive Tape - PDF

ASTM D3330 Peel Fixture – Universal Grip Data Sheet (PDF)

 

ASTM D3330/D3330M measures the peel adhesion of pressure-sensitive tape: the force needed to peel a strip of tape off a standard stainless steel panel (or off its own backing or liner) at a fixed angle and speed. It is the reference peel test on most tape data sheets, alongside the equivalent PSTC-101.

ASTM D3330 Methods A–F

• Method A: single-coated tape peeled at 180° from a standard stainless steel panel; the most common method

• Method B: single-coated tape peeled at 180° from its own backing (adhesion to backing)

• Method C: double-coated tape; each adhesive face is tested in turn, backed with 0.025 mm polyester film

• Method D: the release liner is peeled from the tape at 180° (liner release)

• Method E: adhesive transfer tape; each face is tested with a 0.025 mm polyester film as a temporary backing

• Method F: single-coated tape peeled at 90° from the panel, using a 90° peel fixture

Specimen and Conditioning

• Strip width: 24 mm (1 in), at least 300 mm long

• Panel: bright-annealed stainless steel, cleaned with solvent before every test

• Condition tape and panels at 23 ± 1 °C and 50 ± 2% RH (D4332) before testing

• Apply the tape with a 2 kg (4.5 lb) rubber-covered roller, one pass in each direction at a controlled speed

• Peel within 1 minute of application unless a longer dwell (for example 20 minutes, 24 hours or 72 hours) is specified

• Test at least 3 specimens per roll

Test Procedure

• Double the free end of the tape back on itself at 180° (or mount the panel in a 90° fixture for Method F)

• Clamp the panel in the lower grip and the tape end in the upper grip

• Peel at 300 mm/min (12 in/min)

• Ignore the force over the first 25 mm of peel, then average the force over the next 50 mm or more

• Note the failure mode: adhesive, cohesive, transfer to the panel or backing

Calculation

Peel adhesion = average peel force ÷ tape width

Report in N/100 mm, N/25 mm or oz/in, stating the method, panel, dwell time and failure mode.

Example: a 24 mm wide tape peels at an average of 6.0 N. Peel adhesion = 6.0 ÷ 24 × 100 = 25 N/100 mm (about 23 oz/in).

Equipment

• Universal testing machine with a low-capacity load cell (50–100 N) for accurate gram-level readings

• Peel grips: a lower panel clamp plus a light, self-aligning upper grip for the tape end

• 90° peel fixture with a sliding table for Method F

• 2 kg standard roller and stainless steel test panels

Related Standards

• PSTC-101 – peel adhesion of pressure-sensitive tape (equivalent method)

• ASTM D903 – 180° peel of adhesive bonds

• ASTM D1876 – T-peel of adhesives

• ASTM D3167 – floating roller peel

• ASTM D6862 – 90° peel of adhesives

• ASTM D3654 – shear adhesion (holding power) of tape

ASTM D3330 FAQ

What is the difference between D3330 Method A and Method F?

Method A peels the tape back on itself at 180° from a stainless steel panel. Method F peels it at 90° using a fixture that keeps the angle constant as the tape comes off.

What peel speed does ASTM D3330 use?

300 mm/min (12 in/min).

How long is the dwell time before peeling?

The tape is normally peeled within 1 minute of being rolled down. Longer dwells, such as 20 minutes or 24 hours, are used when a specification calls for them and must be reported.

What units are used for peel adhesion?

Force per unit width: N/100 mm, N/25 mm or oz/in. The report should also state the method, panel, dwell time and failure mode.

ISO equivalent: ISO 29862 peel adhesion of self-adhesive tapes