Self-adhesive materials are functional materials with their own adhesive layer, which can be directly adhered to the surface of objects without the help of water, solvents or heating. They are widely used in the fields of labels, packaging, industrial tapes, medical dressings, etc., especially in the self-adhesive label industry.

The following is a detailed analysis of self-adhesive materials:

Basic structure of self-adhesive materials

Typical self-adhesive materials are composed of three layers:

1. Face Material

Surface printing or display layer, materials include:

• Paper: coated paper, thermal paper, synthetic paper (water-resistant and tear-resistant)
• Film: PET (polyester), PP (polypropylene), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), etc. (stronger weather resistance)

2. Adhesive layer

Core bonding part, common types:

• Acrylic: excellent weather resistance, high transparency, suitable for long-term outdoor use.
• Rubber-based: strong initial adhesion, low cost, but poor temperature resistance.
• Silicone: high temperature resistant (＞200℃), mostly used in the electronics industry.
• Removable: no residual glue left after tearing off, suitable for temporary labels.

3. Release Liner

The release paper/film that protects the glue layer is mostly made of glassine or PE-coated paper and needs to have uniform release force.

Core characteristics of self-adhesive materials

• Peel and stick: No need to activate the adhesive, easy to operate, suitable for automated labeling equipment.
• Wide adaptability: By adjusting the combination of surface material and glue, it can be adhered to a variety of surfaces such as plastic, metal, glass, wood, etc.
• Environmental tolerance: High-quality self-adhesive materials can withstand extreme conditions such as high temperature (such as car engine compartment labels), low temperature (cold chain labels), and ultraviolet rays (outdoor signs).

Common application scenarios

Key factors for selecting self-adhesive materials

1. Labeling environment

• High temperature scenario: select heat-resistant glue (such as acrylic glue with a temperature resistance of 80~120℃).
• Humid environment: waterproof substrate (PP/PET) + anti-hydrolysis glue are preferred.

2. Surface of the object to be labeled

• Rough surface (such as corrugated paper): high viscosity glue (＞2000g/25mm).
• Low surface energy material (PE/PP): requires special treatment glue or corona treatment.

3. Use cycle

• Short-term temporary label: removable glue (stickiness 3~6 months).
• Long-term permanent label: permanent glue (stickiness ＞5 years).

Technology development trends

1. Environmental protection

Bio-based glue and compostable base paper (such as recycled paper lamination) gradually replace traditional petroleum-based materials.

2. Intelligence

Demand for functional labels such as integrated RFID chips and temperature-dependent inks is growing.

3. High performance

Innovative technologies such as nano-modified glue (improving heat resistance/chemical resistance) and ultra-thin surface materials (<20μm) are emerging.

FAQ

Q: Are self-adhesive materials and self-adhesive materials the same concept?

A: In a broad sense, they are interchangeable, but strictly speaking:

Pressure-sensitive adhesive: specifically refers to materials that activate adhesion through pressure.

Self-adhesive materials: cover a wider range, including some adhesive materials that require slight heating assistance.

Q: Why do some self-adhesive labels turn yellow and curl after being attached for a long time?

A: Possible reasons:

The glue is not resistant to aging (choose UV-resistant glue).

The shrinkage rate of the surface material and the glue does not match (customized material formula is required).

As a self-adhesive material manufacturer, Zhejiang Wanbaolong Adhesive Products Co., Ltd. provides a full set of solutions from substrates, glue to base paper, and ensures that the material is suitable for extreme environments through dynamic viscosity simulation tests. If you need a customized formula according to your scenario, please feel free to contact the technical team!