Rolling Ball Tack

The ChemInstruments RBT-100 Rolling Ball Tack Tester meets the standards set by the Pressure Sensitive Tape Council (PSTC-6) and the ASTM (ASTM D3121) for testing the tack of a pressure sensitive adhesive.

The RBT-100 Rolling Ball Tack Tester provides a quick and economical method of testing the tack of an adhesive. This method quantifies the ability of an adhesive to quickly adhere to another surface.

TEST SPECIMEN: 15" (38cm) long by 2" (5cm) wide.

GENERAL TEST METHOD: Clean inclined trough and steel ball with n-heptane or methyl alcohol. Do not touch trough or ball with fingers after cleaning; wear gloves and use a lint free cloth to place the ball at the top of the incline.

Make sure the Tack Tester is level. Arrange a test sample just removed from the sample roll adhesive side up in a straight line with the trough. The tester should hold down one end of the specimen and a weight or other tape will hold the other end securely. Press the release lever and allow the ball to roll down the trough. Measure the distance between the end of the incline and the point where the ball stops. (One 7/16" (11mm) diameter ball is included with the RBT-100.)

• Solid aluminum construction, made to withstand many years of laboratory use
• CNC machined inclined trough, engineered for a smooth and accurate test
• Extra care taken in the design to minimize a "bounce" at the ball-to-tape interface
• Simple loading of the ball for quick and easy operation
• Spring lever designed to release the ball with minimal user interference
• Bubble level mounted on starting platform to ensure proper orientation for accurate testing
• Precision machined surfaces to ensure a square testing platform
• One 7/16" diameter (11mm) plated and polished steel ball is included with the device

Some of the more popular test methods that this device is capable of performing.

• PSTC: 6
• ASTM: D 3121

General Test Methods

• Clean the inclined trough and ball with n-heptane or methyl alcohol.
• Do not touch the trough or ball with fingers after cleaning.
• Cut a 15" long (380mm) by 2" wide (50mm) specimen for testing purposes.
• Arrange the test specimen at the end of the device, adhesive side up, in a straight line with the trough. The bottom of the device should hold downthe leading end of the specimen and a weight or other tape should hold the other end securely.
• Ensure the device is level and aligned with the trough axis.
• Use a lint free cloth to place the ball at the top of the inclined trough for testing.
• Press the spring lever and allow the ball to roll down the trough.
• Measure the distance between the end of the incline and the point where the ball stops.