Heat‐activated pressure sensitive adhesives for linerless labels

ABSTRACT Pressure‐sensitive adhesives (PSAs) suitable for use in label applications without a silicone‐coated release liner (so‐called “linerless” labels) were developed utilizing heat‐activated adhesive formulations comprised of dispersed styrenic block copolymers (SIS), dispersed plasticizers, and dispersed tackifiers. Various grades of SIS were investigated, as well as several different dispersants. The best results were obtained with an SIS polymer with 19% diblock dispersed with a long‐chain primary carboxylic acid. Of the four plasticizers studied, sucrose benzoate resulted in the best combination of high peel and low blocking in the end‐use application. Peel forces upwards of 10 N/25 cm were obtained for the heat‐activated adhesive, indicating their applicability for many label applications. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47048.