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All About the Pomona Lab
All About the Pomona Lab

At Pomona, we test products to the high standards of ASTM & Pomona regulations. Our lab ensures Pomona’s products are of high-quality and fit for New Zealand conditions.

The primary functions of the Pomona Lab:

  • All Pomona products that come in from suppliers are tested, to ensure that it is in spec and thus suitable for its purpose.
  • Through our lab, we can make recommendations for the most suitable product based on a customer’s particular need.
  • Identifies the most suitable product for a particular substrate or surface.

So what are the capabilities of the Pomona Lab?

The Pomona lab is set up to tackle various testing based on ASTM & Pomona guidelines, to identify the tack and the strength of the adhesive tape. Here are some of the tests that we perform daily in our lab.

Peel Test: The peel test determines the force per unit width of tape required to break the bond between a pressure-sensitive tape and the surface to which it has been applied. To do this, we use a machine to peel back a small sample of the tape at a controlled angle, at a standard rate and condition.

peel test

Tensile & Elongation at Break Test: This test measures the breaking strength and stretch properties for pressure-sensitive tapes.

tensile test

Tack Test: Tack is the property of a pressure-sensitive tape that allows it to adhere to a surface under very slight pressure. In the lab, we perform the tack test using a small metal ball that we roll down a runway which is inclined at a slope of 30 degrees. The tack is not an indicator of adhesion value. It is a measurement of the initial “stickiness” of the adhesive when it comes into contact with the intended substrate.

Shear Test: Shear is the holding power and creep of the adhesive. Shear adhesion is the ability of the tape to resist static forces applied in the same plane as the backing. It is an indicator of the internal strength of the adhesive. It is the time required for a given weight to cause the tape sample to come loose from a vertical panel. Slippage can also be measured.

Accelerated ageing and UV Stability Testing: The accelerated ageing of samples can be carried out using temperature and UV light. The test for one day (24hrs) at 70°C, in theory, is equivalent to 6 months exposure in the atmosphere. The effect of UV radiation can also be accelerated by UV light. A test for 9 hours at 50°C and under a UV light is, in theory, equivalent to 6 months exposure. This test is perfect for finding out how much outdoor exposure a specific masking tape can handle.

For more information about the Pomona Lab, or to find out how the Pomona Lab can help you email sales@pglgroup.co.nz or phone 0800 POMONA or contact us here