Classification of OPP adhesive tapes according to MALDI mass spectra of adhesives.

Classification of acrylic and rubber-based pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs) of colorless and transparent oriented polypropylene adhesive tapes distributed in Japan according to matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrum has been studied. MALDI mass spectra of acrylate oligomers and emulsifiers were observed from tetrahydrofuran extracts of acrylic PSAs, and aliphatic petroleum resin, aliphatic-aromatic copolymer and unknown additives were from 2-butanone extracts of rubber-based PSAs. Acrylic PSAs were classified into 10 groups and rubber-based PSAs were into 8 groups. The criteria for the classification according to the MALDI mass spectrum were clearer than according to FT-IR spectrum. Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.