Information on the most widely used ASTM standards within the materials testing industry
EN 1719:1999: Adhesives for paper and board, packaging and disposable sanitary products – Tack measurement for pressure-sensitive adhesives – Determination of loop tack.
EN 1719 specifies test method to quantify the loop tack of coated pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs)—a critical property for adhesives used in applications requiring rapid, low pressure, initial bonding (e.g., labels, tapes, disposable hygiene products). The standard aligns with European Committee for Standardization (CEN) requirements and is intended for quality control, research, and regulatory compliance in the adhesive and packaging industries.
EN 1719 Test Principle and Test Methods
The core principle is to quantify loop tack as the maximum force (in Newtons, N) required to separate, at a specified speed, a loop of adhesive-coated material (adhesive side outermost) from a defined surface area. The test simulates real-world PSA applications (e.g., applying a label) by:
1), Forming a loop with the adhesive facing outward.
2), Bringing the loop into controlled contact with a flat surface.
3), Separating the loop at a constant speed while recording the peak force.
Per the definition, loop tack reflects the adhesive’s ability to form an immediate, measurable bond—with higher values indicating stronger initial adhesion.
Test methods:
Loop tack measures the instantaneous bond strength of PSA under minimal contact conditions (no applied pressure, no dwell time):
A PSA loop is lowered onto the rigid substrate at 5 mm/s, making full 25×25 mm contact.
Upon contact, the loop is immediately retracted upward at 5 mm/s.
The maximum force required to fully separate the loop from the substrate is recorded as the loop tack value (units: N/25 mm or N/cm).
Test Device for the EN 1719 Loop tack test
The apparatus consists of four essential components, all calibrated for precision:
Tensile Testing Machine: A constant-rate-of-extension machine with a reversing function.
Key specs:
Vertical jaw separation rate: 5 mm/s (±2% accuracy).
Maximum load capacity: 100 N.
Load measuring cell accuracy: ±2%.
Flat Rigid Plate: Made of glass or metal, with minimum dimensions 30 mm × 30 mm × 3.0 mm. The surface finish is defined, and plates must be thoroughly cleaned before use.
Jig: Attaches the plate horizontally to the lower jaw of the tensile tester.
Coating Equipment: Ensures a consistent dry adhesive coating weight of (25 ± 2) g/m² (deviations must be reported).
Test Specimen
Specimens are adhesive-coated strips prepared.
| Base Material | 50 μm thick polyester film |
| Coating | Adhesive is applied to the film to achieve a dry weight of (25 ± 2) g/m², then covered with release paper. |
| Dimensions | Strips are (25 ± 0.5) mm wide and (175 ± 2) mm long (machine direction). Cuts must be clean and straight. |
| Quantity | Minimum of 5 strips per test. |
| Conditioning | Strips are stored for (24 ± 4) hours at standard climate (23 ± 2°C, 50 ± 5% relative humidity, RH). Cleaned plates are conditioned for ≥30 minutes under the same conditions (handled only by edges). |
EN 1719 Adhesives Loop Tack Test Procedure:
The step-by-step process is conducted at standard climate:
Prepare the Loop: Immediately before testing, remove the release paper from a strip. Hold the ends, fold the strip into a loop (adhesive side out), and join the ends.
Clamp the Specimen: Secure the loop’s ends (10 ± 1 mm) into the tensile tester’s upper jaw, leaving a free-hanging loop length of (155 ± 4) mm. Protect the jaw sides from adhesive contamination.
Mount the Plate: Fix the cleaned plate to the lower jaw using the jig.
Contact and Separate: Start the machine—bring the loop into contact with the plate at 5 mm/s. When the contact area reaches ~25 mm × 25 mm, immediately reverse direction and separate the loop at 5 mm/s (see Figure below).
Record Data: Capture the maximum force (N) required to fully separate the loop from the plate. Report the average loop tack value (N) of 5 strips.
Test Report:Includes standard reference, adhesive details (manufacturer, grade, batch), coating method/weight, substrate info, plate surface, results (average, min/max), visual observations (e.g., adhesive transfer), and test date.
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Test Application (Industry Fields)
| Industry | Key Applications | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Paper & Board | Envelope adhesives, bookbinding, packaging labels | Ensures secure, instant sealing without manual pressure |
| Packaging | Food packaging seals, shipping labels, tamper-evident tapes | Prevents premature opening and ensures product integrity |
| Disposable Sanitary Products | Diaper tabs, feminine hygiene product adhesives | Critical for user comfort and secure fit during use |
| Converting | Adhesive tapes, labels, and decals for consumer goods | Validates batch consistency for mass production |
Related Standards
| Standard | Relationship | Key Differences |
|---|---|---|
| ASTM D6195 | Global equivalent for loop tack | Speed: 5 mm/s (EN 1719) vs. 300 mm/min (ASTM D6195); substrate flexibility |
| FINAT FTM 9 | Label industry standard | Similar loop tack principle; specimen dimensions may vary slightly |
| PSTC 16 | Pressure-Sensitive Tape Council standard | Aligns with EN 1719 for packaging adhesives; industry-specific tweaks |
| ASTM D3330 | Peel adhesion test | Measures bond strength after pressure/dwell (vs. instant contact for EN 1719) |
Related products and device
Related Standard
ASTM D6195 provides procedures to quantify the loop tack property of pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs)—a critical metric for adhesives that form rapid, measurable bonds upon contact (e.g., tapes, labels, stickers). The standard focuses on two test methods (A and B) and is widely used for quality control and research in packaging, labeling, and adhesive manufacturing. It provides a quantitative measure of an adhesive's ability to form an immediate bond upon brief, light contact with a substrate, simulating real-world application conditions where minimal pressure and dwell time are typical.
ASTM D1002 is the most widely used standard test for measuring the apparent shear strength of metal‑to‑metal adhesive single‑lap joints under tension loading. It provides comparative data for adhesive selection, process control, and quality assurance in structural bonding applications. It is the most common test for evaluating adhesive shear performance.
ASTM D897 prescribed a method for determining the comparative tensile properties of adhesive bonds in a standard specimen when tested under specific conditions. Its primary purpose was to measure the tensile strength of an adhesive bond between two rigid substrates (metal to metal).
ASTM D1781: Standard Test Method for Climbing Drum Peel for Adhesives
ASTM D1781 test method covers the determination of the peel resistance of adhesive bonds between: a relatively flexible adherend and a rigid adherend; and the relatively flexible facing of a sandwich structure and its core, when tested under specified conditions.
ASTM D1876: Standard Test Method for Peel Resistance of Adhesives (T-Peel Test)
ASTM D1876 test method is primarily intended for determining the relative peel resistance of adhesive bonds between flexible adherends by means of a T-type specimen using a tension testing machine. The bent, unbonded ends of the test specimen shall be clamped in the test grips of the tension testing machine and a load of a constant head speed shall be applied. An autographic recording of the load versus the head movement or load versus distance peeled shall be made. The peel resistance over a specified length of the bond line after the initial peak shall be determined.
ASTM D3167 Peel Resistance Adhesives Test - Floating Roller
ASTM D3167 Floating Roller Peeling test method covers the determination of the relative peel resistance of adhesive bonds between one rigid adherend and one flexible adherend when tested under specified conditions of preparation and testing.
ASTM D5041: Standard Test Method for Fracture Strength in Cleavage of Adhesives in Bonded Joints
ASTM D5041 test method covers the determination of fracture strength in cleavage of adhesive bonds when tested on standard reinforced plastic specimens and under specified conditions of preparation and testing.
It describes the fracture strength testing of flat adhesively bonded reinforced plastic specimens. It involves imposing controlled cleavage stresses to split apart the specimen using a movable wedge.
ISO 11339 Adhesives — T-peel test for flexible-to-flexible bonded assemblies.
It specifies a T‑peel test for the determination of the peel resistance of an adhesive by measuring the peeling force of a T‑shaped bonded assembly of two flexible adherends. The ISO 11339 test method is suitable for self-adhesive tapes that are prepared under the relevant guidelines within this test standard. For a T-peel test for a flexible-to-flexible assembly, the force is applied to the unbonded ends of the specimen . The angle between the bond line and the direction of the applied force is not fixed.
ISO 8510-2: Adhesives — Peel test for a flexible-bonded-to-rigid test specimen assembly Part 2: 180° peel.
ISO 8510-2 specifies the 180-degree peel adhesion test for evaluating the adhesive peel strength of bonded materials. This standard is essential in industries such as packaging, medical devices, electronics, and adhesives, where strong and reliable adhesion is crucial. The test provides critical insights into the performance and durability of adhesives by measuring the force required to separate a flexible adherend from a rigid adherend under controlled conditions.
Testing Procedure:
The rigid adherend is clamped into the machine’s fixed grip.
The flexible adherend is clamped into a self-aligning grip.
The machine applies force parallel to the bonded plane, pulling the flexible adherend at a 180-degree angle.
FAQs about EN 1719 Loop Tack Test for Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives (PSAs)
Q1: Why is the EN 1719 test important?
A: The EN 1719 test is important because it is a standardized method (British Standard BS EN 1719:1999, aligned with European Standard EN 1719:1998) for quantifying the loop tack of coated pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs). This property is critical for adhesives used in applications requiring rapid initial bonding—such as labels, tapes, and disposable hygiene products. The test supports quality control, research, and regulatory compliance in the adhesive and packaging industries, ensuring consistent and comparable results across manufacturers and users.
Q2: What is the definition of "loop tack" in EN 1719?
A: For the purposes of EN 1719, loop tack is defined as: "the maximum force required to separate at a specified speed, a loop of adhesive coated material (adhesive outermost) which has been brought into contact with a specified area of a defined surface".
Q3: How are results expressed in EN 1719?
A: The loop tack value is expressed as the average in Newtons (N) of five strips tested.
Q4: What must be included in an EN 1719 test report?
A: The test report must include:
a) A reference to this European Standard (EN 1719);
b) Adhesive details (manufacturer’s name, grade, batch number, or other unique identifier);
c) Method of adhesive coating preparation;
d) Coating weight (if other than 25 ± 2 g/m²);
e) Specifications of the polyester film and release paper used;
f) Description of the flat rigid plate’s surface;
g) Loop tack value (in N);
h) Lowest and highest test results (in N);
i) Visual comments (e.g., adhesive transfer, lifting from the substrate);
j) Date of the test.
Q5: Is there dwell time in the test?
A: No dwell time — contact and immediate separation.
Q5: What are the main differences between EN 1719 and other loop tack test standards like ASTM D6195?
A:
| Item | EN 1719 | ASTM D6195 |
| Substrate & Coating | A 50 μm polyester film base with a consistent dry adhesive coating weight of (25 ± 2) g/m² | Allows unsupported adhesives (laminated to 2 mil PET film); uses a 1 in² (25×25 mm) ASTM A666 stainless steel surface. |
| Specimen Dimensions | strips 25 ± 0.5 mm wide × 175 ± 2 mm long | Method A (1×7 in./25×175 mm) Method B (1×5 in./25×125 mm) |
| Test Speed | 5 mm/s contact/separation speed (300 mm/min) | 5 mm/s (300 mm/min) |
| Equipment | single tensile testing machine | Two methods (tensile tester or dedicated loop tack tester) |
| Result Expression | reports the average of 5 strips | at least 3 replicates per method |
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