How our in-house lab guarantees quality

Why adhesion in tape is more than “it sticks well or it doesn’t”

In practice, tape is often judged on one simple question: does it stick or not. For B2B customers, that’s far too simplistic a view. The real question is whether the tape does what it needs to do in a specific situation. Does it stick strongly enough, long enough, on that particular surface, at that temperature, without damage on removal, without adhesive residue and without unexpected failure?

Adhesion isn’t a single property, but an interplay of chemistry, physics and conditions. The adhesive formula, the contact surface, the pressure during application, the time and the temperature together determine the result. Anyone who chooses tape based purely on packaging text or price is gambling with the outcome. Anyone who chooses based on measured performance and practical tests works in a controlled and professional way.
For manufacturers, processors and private label brands, predictable quality is no luxury. Tape that fails leads to costs, delays and sometimes reputational damage. That’s why it’s crucial to understand what happens technically and how we safeguard it in the lab.

What happens when tape adheres

Most professional tapes use pressure-sensitive adhesives. Under pressure, the adhesive flows into the microstructure of the surface. This creates more actual contact surface and therefore more adhesion.
The properties of the surface play a major role in this. A smooth aluminium profile calls for something different than matt wall paint, wood or plastic. The same tape can therefore perform perfectly on metal and disappoint on a rough or porous surface. In our lab, we deliberately test these differences, so that we know how a product behaves in various situations.

Surface, pressure, time and temperature

Four factors ultimately determine whether a tape performs well in practice:

• The surface
  The texture and surface tension of the substrate determine how well the adhesive can set. New materials that are still outgassing, or highly absorbent surfaces, require extra attention.
• The applied pressure
  Pressure-sensitive adhesives need application pressure to truly activate. In automated lines and in manual applications, this is an often underestimated point.
• Time
  Adhesion builds up. The adhesive strength immediately after application is lower than after a few hours or days. In situations where the tape needs to be removed again quickly, or where it faces prolonged stress, this is crucial.
• Temperature
  In cold conditions, adhesive becomes stiffer and bonds less easily. In heat, adhesive becomes softer and can start to creep. A tape that works fine indoors can react completely differently outdoors in the sun or in an oven process.

For exactly those reasons, we test tapes in our lab not only “under ideal conditions”, but with a focus on the situations in which our customers work.

Our in-house lab as an R&D engine

As an independent tape converter, ATS isn’t tied to a single manufacturer. We select the best jumbo rolls worldwide and combine them with our own expertise. Our lab is the R&D department that continuously monitors, measures and develops.
Every new raw material, every new combination and every batch passes through the lab. That way, we don’t build on assumptions or solely on suppliers’ datasheets, but on our own measurement data and practical tests.

From jumbo roll to end product

Our lab is involved in three main phases:
1. Incoming material
New suppliers and batches are tested for adhesive strength, tensile strength, thickness and other relevant properties, among other things. Only after approval do they go into production.
2. During conversion and production
We carry out interim batch checks, so that we’re certain the process settings don’t adversely affect quality.
3. Final check
The end product is tested against the agreed specifications before the batch is released. This ensures that the tape the customer receives matches the intended application.

Why we don’t rely blindly on datasheets

Datasheets remain important as a starting point, but they’re always drawn up under specific lab conditions at the manufacturer. In practice, conditions differ and raw materials can vary from batch to batch.
That’s why our lab always tests for itself. Not because we distrust suppliers by definition, but because we want to protect our customers from surprises. We assess what actually happens on relevant surfaces, at relevant temperatures and under realistic stress. That gives an honest picture of the performance you can expect.

Private label with substantiated quality

For private label customers, it’s about more than a good product. The tape carries their brand name and must strengthen that brand. Together, we define specifications that suit the market and the application. Will the tape mainly be used outdoors, does it need to be cleanly removable after fourteen days, does it have to go through an oven process, or does it instead need to stay in place for a long time?
Based on that, we develop trial batches that we assess in the lab on the points that matter most to that customer. Only when the test results meet the agreed standard do we scale up. Private label thus becomes a controlled and substantiated product, not a gamble.

Adhesive strength, heat and UV

Adhesive strength, heat resistance and UV resistance are core parameters we test for daily. With these, we make performance measurable and comparable, batch after batch.

Adhesive strength

We measure both the immediate adhesive strength (initial tack) and the adhesion after a certain time (final adhesion). In the lab, we apply the tape to reference surfaces, let them rest under controlled conditions and measure the force needed to remove the tape.
For our customers, this means they can count on predictable performance. A tape delivered today matches what they’ve used before. If the application changes, we can use this measurement data to actively help find a better-suited alternative.

Real-world simulations

Laboratory figures only gain real value when you connect them to practice. That’s why we recreate situations our customers recognise:

• We test painter’s tapes on various surfaces, with realistic drying and working times. We look at sharp lines, adhesive residue and any paint tear-off.
• We test industrial tapes on metal panels that go through heat cycles, comparable to oven processes or heated components.
• For construction applications, we simulate changing temperatures and moisture, so that it becomes clear how a tape holds up on roofs, façades and films, for example.

If a product fails the test, it doesn’t go to the customer. We find the cause, adjust the formulation or construction if needed, and test again. If we can’t reach the desired level within the set conditions, we’re honest about that and recommend a different solution.

Heat resistance in industry and construction

In powder coating, automotive and various industrial processes, temperatures rise considerably. There, heat resistance isn’t an optional extra, but a basic requirement.
In our lab, we use ovens and temperature cycles to test prolonged and fluctuating heat loads. A tape that withstands a static temperature can react differently under repeated heating and cooling. By testing in a targeted way, we know where the safe limits lie and can communicate openly about them.
For powder coating, for example, this means we select tapes that stay in place throughout the entire oven process and can then be removed without adhesive residue. In construction, on the other hand, we pay close attention to the combination of temperature, moisture and the duration of the application.

UV resistance for outdoor applications

UV light breaks down chemical bonds in both the adhesive and the backing. A tape that looks fine when applied can become brittle, yellowed or extremely hard after a few weeks in the sun.
To avoid having to wait months, we use equipment that simulates UV ageing in an accelerated way. Tapes are tested under intense light and controlled climate conditions. This gives us quick insight into how a product will behave outdoors over the longer term.
This is essential for applications such as masking façades, exterior painting, temporary sealing around window frames or projects involving solar panels. It helps customers better estimate how long a tape can stay in place without problems, without damage on removal.

From test to certainty for your brand or project

All the data we gather in our in-house lab, we translate into clear specifications and practical advice. Datasheets, batch reports and internal standards together form the basis for our recommendations.

Batch control and traceability

Every production run is checked. Adhesive strength, thickness, tensile strength, heat resistance or other relevant parameters are measured according to fixed protocols. This allows us to demonstrate that quality remains consistent from batch to batch.
For customers in sectors with audits and certification requirements, traceability is important. We can trace back which materials were used in which batch and which test results belong to them. This supports not only daily practice, but also the quality and compliance side within our customers’ organisations.

Lower failure costs, more control

Predictable tape means lower failure costs. Less rework after painting, less waste in oven processes, fewer complaints from end users and less downtime on the building site or in the factory. The investment in testing and quality control pays off in process stability and in a more reliable product under your own brand.

ATS as the technical partner behind your label

For private label customers, we’re the technical backbone behind their brand. We select the right raw materials, develop the product, test in the lab and monitor quality batch by batch. Our customers can focus on positioning, sales and service, with the certainty that the product carrying their name is technically sound.
Would you like to know what our in-house lab in Tilburg can do for your application or private label plans? We’re glad to think it through with you, assess your situation against our measurement data and give honest advice. That way, you build on a product that lives up to its promise in practice, not just on paper.