ASTM D6195 is a standard test method to determine the peel strength of pressure-sensitive adhesive. This test measures the initial sticking force of an adhesive product such as pressure-sensitive tape, labels, Teflon films, and more. Data is typically used from ASTM D6195 for process control to quantify the minimum adherence pressure required to ensure that the product sticks. A peel test machine is used to lightly press the adhesive to a flat secondary material and then the peel test machine pulls the loop out of adhesion and measures the required force. Our engineers can help guide you through the ASTM D6195 testing process, but we always recommend you purchase the official standard to achieve the best results.
Preparing the Specimens
In order to test in strict accordance with ASTM D6195, you must create specimens that are 7 inches long by 25 mm wide. Make sure that your substrate adherend is also 25 mm wide. You will want to create several test specimens so that you can average the test data.
ASTM D6195 Test Procedure
- First, take your adherend material and clamp it into the base of the machine with the toggle-clamps. Alternatively, you can clamp a stainless steel plate into the base of the test machine if a standardized adherend surface is desired.
- Next take the tape, label or desired specimen and form it into a loop. Place the specimen into the upper grips, such that the sticky side is on the outside of the loop.
- Set your peel tester at 12 inches per minute and run the machine down until the specimen and adherend are stuck together fully. Now run the peel tester upward and record the max force required to peel the specimen off the surface.
- Test at least three specimens and record the average peak loop tack force and standard deviation.
Advice from Our Engineers
Mechanical Vice Grips are a common choice for ASTM D6195, but our engineers often recommend pneumatic grips as an easier testing alternative. Pneumatic vice grips have a foot switch to enable the operator to use both hands for centering the specimen when clamping it. You should also note that it is important to be careful using pneumatic grips for a small-force test because tension in the air tubes will cause an error in the load signal. That error may be non-trivial because the measured forces are typically quite small in loop tack adhesion, but it is good to be aware that this can be an issue.
ASTM D6195 Recommended Test Equipment
A 100P250 Peel Tester is recommended for ASTM D6195. The 100P250 consists of a vertical load frame, an electromechanical actuator, load cell, a test controller, XY test software and peel grips. For ASTM D6195, we would configure a small capacity load cell (10 pounds or less) for loop tack adhesion because the loop tack forces are small. Our load cells measure loads accurately (+/- 0.5% of reading) from full scale rating to 1% of FS. A 10 lb load cell can be calibrated to measure 0.1 lb (0.5N) to an accuracy of 0.0005 lb.
The peel plot will be an important aspect of data retrieval and therefore we highly recommend our XyPlot software. If you would rather see the data in real-time and study the peel interface at the same time, we would provide you with our XyLive Software.
Peel Grips and Accessories
ASTM D6195 requires vice grips to hold the sample in place. We can provide you with our G227 for light and effective grip performance. As mentioned above, our engineers often recommend pneumatic grips for this test, such as the G229 Pneumatic Grips. These pneumatic grips are helpful in getting the specimen well-aligned in the grips due to the foot activator giving you both hands free to hold the specimen.
Give one of our engineers a call today and they can help guide you through the ASTM D6195 test process with the best machine configuration for your requirements.
Recommended Test Machine
Forces up to 10 kN (2,250 lbf)
Low force tabletop systems
Modular series of five frame options with adjustable test space
Affordable testing option for tension, compression, bend, peel and much more
Forces up to 5 kN (1,125 lbf)
Low force tabletop systems
Tests at speeds up to 2,500 mm/min (100 in/min)
Best for high travel or high elongation test requirements
Recommended Testing Accessories
Rated to 500 N (112 lbf)
Maximum specimen thickness of 6 mm (0.23 in)
Pneumatic design allows for quick specimen setup
Consistent clamping force between tests
