Adhesives & Adhesive Tapes Testing Guide | AML Instruments

Adhesives & Adhesive Tapes Testing Guide

Adhesives are one of the most widely tested products, meaning there are hundreds of different tests and test methods. This is also the same for adhesive and tapes testing

Adhesives are critical to just about every part of our lives and are used in so many industries and products such as electronics, engineering, packaging, and woodworking. As such, understanding the adhesive qualities and limiting factors are integral to ensuring consistent quality.

Each of these adhesives or tapes will have been peel tested in both the development stage and as part of the manufacturing process. While there are many types and subtypes of peel test, what’s unique is most can be tested with just a single universal testing machine.

Let’s discuss half a dozen of the most common peel test types and how critical they are to performing the correct peel test for your material and/or application.

What is a peel test?

Peel testing (also called adhesion testing) is a fundamental mechanical test that measures the peel separation strength between two materials. The bonded materials are peeled apart at a defined angle and speed, enabling the manufacturer to determine how effective an adhesive will be when joining certain types of materials.

Peel test types

A peel test can be broken down into six main versions of peel strength tests, which we’ve covered in detail below.

180 Degree Peel Tests

The 180-degree peel adhesion test is best suited to a flexible material that is bonded to a rigid substrate. A tensile tester and grips or special fixture are used along with a test panel to apply a force at 180 degrees to the panel.

Diagram of a 180-degree peel test showing a flexible strip being peeled back over itself between two grips, with arrows indicating the peeling direction. Diagram of a 180-degree peel test setup.

The image below shows a special fixture for holding the test panel — this type of fixture makes the test easier to complete and more reproducible.

Metal testing fixture with a vertical frame, adjustable holes, and a bottom clamp for securing specimens, used in peel or adhesion strength testing. Metallic fixture or holder used in materials testing, typically for a peel or adhesion test.

The test panels are generally float glass or stainless steel. The specifications of the test panels, test speed, and method of specimen preparation are specified in the relevant standard and test method followed.

180-degree peel tests are also widely performed in heat-sealed applications such as packaging — this differs as it doesn’t use a test panel and is generally called a T peel test (see later in this guide).

180 Degree Peel Test Methods and Standards

ASTM 180 Degree Peel Test Methods

ASTM-D3330 - A – Standard Test Method for Peel Adhesion of Pressure-Sensitive Tape

ASTM-F88 – Standard Test Method for Seal Strength of Flexible Barrier Materials

ASTM-D3330 - B - E – Standard Test Method for Peel Adhesion of Pressure-Sensitive Tape

ASTM-D903 – Standard Test Method for Peel or Stripping Strength of Adhesive Bonds

ASTM-D5458 – Standard Test Method for Peel Cling of Stretch Wrap Film

ISO Peel Test Methods

ISO-8510-2 – Adhesives - Peel test for a flexible-bonded-to-rigid test specimen assembly - Part 2: 180-degree peel

ISO-11607-1 – Packaging for terminally sterilized medical devices - Part 1: Requirements for materials, sterile barrier systems and packaging systems

BS 180 Degree Peel Test

BS EN-1939 – Self-adhesive tapes. Determination of peel adhesion properties

BS EN ISO-8510-2 – Adhesives. Peel test for a flexible-bonded-to-rigid test specimen assembly. 180-degree peel

Finat 180 Degree Peel Test

FINAT is the European association for the self-adhesive label industry. It also covers adjacent narrow-web product decoration and identification technologies.

FINAT-FTM1 – Peel adhesion (180°) at 300 mm per minute

FINAT-FTM3 – Low-speed release force

Afera 180 Degree Peel Test

Afera is the European Adhesive Tape Association.

Afera-5001 – Self Adhesive Tapes - Measurement of Peel Adhesion from Stainless Steel or from its own Backing

PSTC 180 Degree Peel Tests 

The Pressure Sensitive Tape Council (PSTC) is the North American trade association for the pressure-sensitive tape industry.  

PSTC-101 – International Standard for Peel Adhesion of Pressure Sensitive Tape

PSTC-4 – Relative performance of release coatings

PSTC-8 – unwind force of pressure-sensitive tape

TLMI 180 Degree Peel Tests

TLMI is a trade association for the adhesive labels industry. 

TLMI-L-IA1 – 180° peel adhesion - face stock

TLMI-L-IA2 – 180° peel adhesion - release liner

SAE 180 Degree Peel Methods

SAE-J 1907 – Peel Adhesion Test for Glass to Elastomeric Material for automotive glass Encapsulation

90 Degree Peel Tests

A tensile tester, grips and special fixture are used along with a test panel or part under test, applying a force at 90 degrees to the panel or part being tested. The 90-degree peel adhesion test is suitable for a flexible material that is bonded to a rigid substrate.

Diagram of a 90-degree peel test showing a strip being peeled vertically from a horizontal surface with rollers beneath it, arrows indicating upward peel force and horizontal table movement. Diagram of a 90-degree peel test setup.Metallic 90-degree peel test apparatus showing a vertical grip pulling a strip upward while a roller-supported horizontal table moves beneath it to maintain a constant 90-degree peel angle.

Mechanical 90-degree peel test apparatus used for measuring adhesive strength between two bonded materials.

Depending on the shape or size of the specimen or test panel these peel tables can be configured in many different ways. For information on the correct configuration and details on the test panel, the relevant standard or test method should be consulted, or contact AML for help and advice.

In a similar manner to the 180-degree test panels, these are often float glass or stainless steel. The properties, method, or specimen preparation are closely controlled to ensure repeatability and reproducibility.

ASTM 90 Degree Peel Tests

ASTM-D6252 – Standard Test Method for Peel Adhesion of Pressure-Sensitive Label Stocks at a 90° Angle

ASTM-D3330 – Standard Test Method for Peel Adhesion of Pressure-Sensitive Tape

ASTM-B533 – Standard Test Method for Peel Strength of Metal Electroplated Plastics

ASTM-B571-97 – Standard Practice for Qualitative Adhesion Testing of Metallic Coatings

ASTM-D816 – Standard Test Methods for Rubber Cements

ASTM-D429 – Standard Test Methods for Rubber Property—Adhesion to Rigid Substrates

ASTM-D6862 – Standard Test Method for 90 Degree Peel Resistance of Adhesives

BS 90 Degree Peel Tests

BS EN-1939 – Self-adhesive tapes. Determination of peel adhesion properties

BS EN-2243-3 – Aerospace series. Non-metallic materials. Structural adhesives. Test method. Peeling test metal-honeycomb core

BS EN-28510-1 – Adhesives. Peel test for a flexible-bonded-to-rigid test specimen assembly. 90° peel

ISO  90 Degree Peel Tests

ISO-8510-1 – Adhesives - Peel test for a flexible-bonded-to-rigid test specimen assembly - Part 1: 90-degree peel

SAE  90 Degree Peel Tests

SAE-J 1553 – Cross Peel Test for Automotive-Type Adhesives for Fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) Bonding

FINAT 90 Degree Peel Tests

FINAT-FTM2 – Peel adhesion (90°) at 300 mm per minute

IPC 90 Degree Peel Tests

IPC-TM-650 – IPC-TM-650 Test Methods Manual

AFERA 90 Degree Peel Tests

Afera-5001 – Self Adhesive Tapes - Measurement of Peel Adhesion from Stainless Steel or from its own Backing

Climbing Drum Peel Test

The climbing drum peel test (often referred to as the German wheel peel test) is a less common test, but can also be used where a flexible material and rigid substrate requires testing. 

Diagram of a peel wheel test showing a strip being peeled upward from a rotating drum, with arrows indicating wheel rotation and upward peel force. Diagram of a peel wheel (climbing drum peel test).

In the image below there is a German Peel Wheel. Peel wheel tests are easy to perform and less fiddly to set up compared to a 90-degree peel table test. 

Metal peel wheel fixture with a large cylindrical drum mounted on a stainless-steel frame, featuring a black handle knob and bolts at the base for mounting. Metal peel wheel fixture, typically used in climbing drum peel tests or adhesive testing.

The image below shows the type of climbing drum peel test used on composites honeycomb panels typically to the requirements of  ASTM D1781, EN 2243-3 or DIN 53295.

Climbing drum peel test fixture with an aluminum drum, guiding side arms, and a metal clamping block used to measure adhesive bond strength during controlled peeling. Climbing drum peel test fixture, a mechanical device used to measure the adhesive strength of bonded materials.

DIN Climbing Drum Peel Tests

DIN 53357-B

ISO Climbing Drum Peel Tests

ISO 6133

ATSM Climbing Drum Peel Tests

ASTM-D1781 – Standard Test Method for Climbing Drum Peel for Adhesives

ASTM-D1995 – Standard Test Methods for Multi-Modal Strength Testing of Adhesives 

Floating Roller Peel Tests

Diagram of a 115-degree floating roller peel test showing a strip being peeled upward and backward over rollers, with arrows indicating the direction of peel and applied force. Diagram of a floating roller peel test setup, specifically configured for a 115-degree peel angle.

There are many types of peel fixtures for the Floating Roller Peel Test. It is similar to the other tests described so far, as it is suitable for a rigid or semi-rigid substrate and flexible material.

The rollers are generally set at 90 or 115 degrees, but we have options for adjustable angle fixtures. These rollers are set a small distance apart to allow the thin and flexible material to pass through them. This is attached to another grip attached to the tensile tester, maintaining the required test angle.

90-degree peel test apparatus showing a mechanical setup with clamps, rollers, and a mounted test strip being peeled vertically to measure adhesive strength.

90-degree peel test machine, used for testing the adhesion strength of materials such as tapes, films, adhesives, and laminates.

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ASTM Floating Roller Peel Tests

ASTM-D3167 – Standard Test Method for Floating Roller Peel Resistance of Adhesives

BS Floating Roller Peel Tests

BS EN-1372 – Adhesives. Test method for adhesives for floor and wall coverings. Peel test

BS EN-1464 – Adhesives. Determination of peel resistance of high-strength adhesive bonds. Floating roller method

BS EN-2243-2 – Aerospace series. Non-metallic materials. Structural adhesives. Test method. Peel metal-metal

DIN Floating Roller Peel Tests

DIN EN-1464 – Testing of adhesives for metals and adhesively bonded metal joints; floating roller peel test

ISO Floating Roller Peel Tests

ISO-10373-1 – Identification cards - Test methods - Part 1: General characteristics

ISO-14676 – Adhesives - Evaluation of the effectiveness of surface treatment techniques for aluminium - Wet-peel test by the floating-roller method

ISO-4578 – Adhesives - Determination of peel resistance of high-strength adhesive bonds - Floating-roller method

Loop Tack Adhesive & Tape Testing

The loop tack test is the measure of the “initial grab” or “tack” of pressure-sensitive tapes or adhesives.

Close-up of a loop tack adhesive test showing a flexible adhesive strip formed into a loop held between two metal grips, used to measure tack strength.

Loop tack adhesive test setup, which measures the tack or initial stickiness of adhesive materials.

A loop of material is brought into contact with the standard material, usually glass or stainless steel. The size of the loop and standard material size and specification along with the speed of the test are set down in the relevant standard. The test measures the force required to pull the tape or adhesive away from the test panel.

Typical Standards for Loop Tack

FINAT-FTM 9 – Loop tack measurement

ASTM-D6195 – Standard Test Methods for Loop Tack

BS EN-1719 – Adhesives for paper and board, packaging and disposable sanitary products. Tack measurement for pressure-sensitive adhesives. Determination of loop tack

PSTC-16 – Loop tack

T-Peel Tests

T Peel tests are usually performed when both the adhesive or tape has similar flexibility to the substrate. Both substrate & adhesive must be flexible to allow bending through 90 degrees without breaking. In the T peel test, the tails are unsupported so that the entire load is applied to the bond.

Diagram of a T-peel test showing two bonded strips being pulled apart in opposite vertical directions by upper and lower grips, forming a T-shaped configuration. Diagram of a T-peel test setup, a common method for measuring the adhesive strength between two flexible materials.

Of all the peel test methods this one tends to provide the lowest force values. When testing very low peel force materials the weight of the tails will affect the results obtained. This can also add significant variation to the results.

If testing an adhesive or tape to a more rigid substrate then the 90 or 180-degree methods are more suitable.

ASTM T Peel Methods

ASTM-D1876 – Standard Test Method for Peel Resistance of Adhesives (T-Peel Test)

ASTM-D1995 – Standard Test Methods for Multi-Modal Strength Testing of Adhesives (Contact Adhesives)

ASTM-D2918 – Standard Test Method for Durability Assessment of Adhesive Joints Stressed in Peel

ASTM-D413 – Standard Test Methods for Rubber Property—Adhesion to Flexible Substrate

ASTM-D5170 – Standard Test Method for Peel Strength ('T' Method) of Hook and Loop Touch Fasteners

ASTM-D6496 – Standard Test Method for Determining Average Bonding Peel Strength Between the Top and Bottom Layers of Needle-Punched Geosynthetic Clay Liners

ASTM-F2256 – Standard Test Method for Strength Properties of Tissue Adhesives in T-Peel by Tension Loading

ASTM-F88 – Standard Test Method for Seal Strength of Flexible Barrier Materials

BS T Peel Methods

BS EN-12242 – Touch and close fasteners. Determination of peel strength

BS EN-1895 – Adhesives for paper and board, packaging and disposable sanitary products - 180°-'T' peel test for a flexible-to-flexible assembly

BS EN-868-5 – Packaging materials and systems for medical devices which are to be sterilized. Heat and self-sealable pouches and reels of paper and plastic film construction. Requirements and test methods

ISO T-Test Methods 

ISO-11339 – Adhesives - T-peel test for flexible-to-flexible bonded assemblies

ISO-20344 – Personal protective equipment - Test methods for footwear

Confused and not sure which tape adhesion test method you need?

After selection of the correct type of peel test, the next most important part of the test is the sample preparation. Each of the standards listed in this guide will have an exact method of sample preparation.

As well as determining the correct test and method for your needs, AML Instruments are on hand to help with this too. We can also provide a quotation for the test instrument required for your particular test, or professional advice on how to perform the test.

We do not source solutions from a single manufacturer, so can offer you the very best equipment to match your requirements exactly. As well as standard solutions, we can design and manufacture bespoke test equipment. Contact us today with your adhesive and tape testing challenge —  advice and consultancy is always available to help you make the right decisions and correctly specify the methods and equipment needed.

Important: Before attempting any adhesive tests you should study the relevant standard to ensure the test is performed exactly as stated, any deviation from the published method will mean significant errors in the data collected from the test.

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