Pressure-sensitive adhesives provide vast utility in applications ranging from the built environment to automobiles to consumer electronics. When these adhesives are coated on backings typically made of plastic films or cloth, they are known as tapes. Given the breadth of applications tapes can be used in, several pressure-sensitive adhesive chemistries have been developed over the years to provide optimal performance depending on adhesive application requirements, such as operating temperature, environmental conditions, and chemical exposure, to name a few. Two types of pressure-sensitive adhesive chemistries dominate the market today: silicone and acrylic.
To assist with selecting the right adhesive, ChemPoint has prepared the content below to compare the properties and strengths of silicone and acrylic chemistries. In general, if an application does not require the advantages silicone pressure-sensitive adhesives offer, it can likely do well using an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive.
Silicone and Acrylic Adhesive Comparison
Silicone Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives
Operation in extreme temperatures
Performance from −175°F to 500°F, compared to a range of −40° to 250°F for acrylics
Better resistance to environmental stress
Exhibits maximum resistance to water, sunlight, extreme weather, and attack from fungus and mildew
Greater chemical resistance
Provides better resistance to strong acids and bases and solvents such as hydrocarbons, ketones, and alcohols
Adhesion to difficult-to-bond substrates
Adheres well to various low–surface energy substrates and fabrics
Acrylic Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives
Lower cost
Typically, 3–5 times lower cost than silicone due to differences in raw material value
Faster adhesion development
Can be formulated with higher tack than silicone, enabling quicker, more immediate bonds to be formed
High versatility in formulations
Formulations range from commoditized to custom-made products, covering more applications than silicones
Longer shelf life
Can provide several more months of shelf life than silicones when manufactured into tapes if stored properly
Typical Applications for Silicone and Acrylic Adhesives
Silicone Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives
Electrical tapes
Electronic masking tapes
Thermal spray masking tapes
Heat shield tapes
EMI/RFI shielding tapes
Brake shim NVH damping tape
Siliconized paper or film splicing
Silicone rubber bonding
Acrylic Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives
Packaging tapes
Paint masking tapes
Double-sided mounting tapes
Product labels
Automotive part assembly
Electronic device assembly
Medical tapes
Stationery adhesion
ChemPoint is a distributor of specialty chemicals and products. We are partnered with Momentive and Mitsubishi Chemical Group to offer both silicone and acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesives.
If you are a consumer looking for finished, ready-to-use silicone pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes, contact us below, and we will point you in the right direction.
Mitsubishi Chemical Group Acrylic Nichigo G-Tape™
Our Mitsubishi Chemical Group portfolio includes Nichigo G-Tape™, a line of finished, ready-to-use acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes that provide strong adhesion in a variety of applications.
