Development of Acrylic Latex Pressure Sensitive Adhesive for Plasticized PVC Films

The migration of plasticizer from flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC) films to polymer coatings limits the use of many pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs) to non- vinyl applications. Systematic design of a PSA for plasticized PVC films can be accomplished if a good understanding of the mechanisms affecting plasticizer migra tion is developed. Exploitation of appropriate analytical techniques can offer a wealth of information toward understanding the plasticizer migration process and the polymer variables which affect it. Studies focused on understanding these mecha nisms have resulted in development of an aqueous acrylic PSA with excellent reten tion of properties after exposure to plasticized PVC (vinyl) films.