During these uncertain times, you PTFE Tape may be wondering if your adhesive tape inventory has gone beyond its shelf life. The shelf life is considered the period of time an adhesive remains usable after being manufactured and before the material is converted for a specific application.Typically, the manufacturer’s shelf life for a pressure sensitive adhesive is one to two years when stored out of direct sunlight, in ideal temperatures of 60° to 80° degrees Fahrenheit and at 40 to 50 percent relative humidity. However, there are many factors that play into the life of your product.
Depending on the type of adhesive, substrate, release liner, application, manufacturer and storage conditions, these factors will shorten or lengthen the time you will be able to use the product effectively.Shelf life of a pressure sensitive adhesive tape is dependent on the chemistry of the adhesive, substrate and the liner used in the product construction.Depending on the manufacturer, acrylic adhesive systems generally last anywhere from one to two years. Rubber adhesives are sensitive to environmental conditions which can often change the adhesives properties.
Whether the silicone-based material is self-wound or comes with release liners, may extend the shelf life from 6 months to a year. Paper release liners are susceptible to moisture, so proper storage extends the liners usability.During storage, the environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity and UV exposure can affect the shelf life of a tape. The first step is to follow the manufacturers storage recommendations, usually found on the data sheet. Proper stacking in a cool preferably 60°F or cooler, dark and dry storage location, preserves the adhesives integrity.Remember to rotate the stock to yield the best value.
Tape performance is not expected to alter even after the shelf life expires but we do suggest that tapes are used prior to the expiration date.Once the converter, in this case MBK Tape Solutions, die cuts, laminates or replaces the liner or packaging, a warranty part date replaces the manufacturer shelf life date. When the converted product is stored in ideal conditions, it should continue to perform as prescribed by the manufacturer. It is up to the customer to test and validate that the pressure sensitive adhesive will adhere for the life of the product. It is important to note that once a pressure sensitive adhesive tape is unwound and successfully attached to one or more surfaces, its stability greatly increases and is less susceptible to usability and performance issues.
