Increasing Stickiness with Tackifiers

Study and Compilation by: Anuj Agrawal

Date: 18th March 2022

Tackifiers are low molecular weight component used in adhesive formulations,

especially in tacky adhesives such as hot melt adhesives and pressure sensitive
adhesives. As the name suggests, they are used to increase the tack in the adhesive.
They can increase the tack as they increase the glass transition temperature and
lower the modulus of the polymer system. Tackifiers also help in maintaining correct
balance between the adhesive and cohesive strength of the system.

It is important to understand how the addition of tackifiers affects the other adhesive properties. From
the graph below we see that adding tackifiers results in increase in tack but only up to a certain limit.
Hence formulators must understand that there is a limit to increase in tack by addition of tackifier in the
adhesive system.

Influence on modulus

A pressure sensitive adhesive exhibits tack when the polymer is pliable to absorb energy rather than
allowing it to propagate through cracks. The lower the modulus, easier it is for the PSA to deform, flow
and make good contact to the bonding substrate.

Since tackifiers have low molecular weight (300 to 2000), they dilute the polymeric network and reduce
the modulus.

A plasticizer by itself can also reduce the modulus of the polymer network, but it is ineffective in
increasing the tack, as it decreases the Tg of the system.

1
Influence on glass transition temperature

At temperatures near the glass transition region, the adhesive is very effective in dissipating energy and
providing good adhesive bond. Tackifiers have Tg greater than room temperature, whereas the tacky
adhesives have Tg lower than room temperature. Hence adding tackifier, increases the Tg of the system.

To be an effective pressure sensitive adhesive, the modulus of the system must be below 3.3 x 105 Pa
and Tg must be close to the application temperature.

Types of Tackifiers

There are three main types of tackifiers:

1. Hydrocarbon resins
2. Rosin resins
3. Terpene resins

Tackifier Feedstock Characteristics Advantages Disadvantages

C5 resin, C9 resin, Limited raw material
Hydrocarbon Low price, good aging
Dicyclopentadiene, Tg above 230C base, restricted
resins resistance
Phenol usability
Range of grades available,
Poor aging resistance,
Tg from liquid provides balance
Rosin resins prone to discoloration
to 1500C between adhesion and
Pine trees, D- (yellowing)
cohesion
limonene
Tg higher than Compatible with many
Terpene
other polymers, excellent heat Higher price
resins
tackifiers resistance

Compatibility

It is very important that the tackifier being used is compatible/soluble with the base polymer in adhesive
formulation. Higher the compatibility, higher will be the tackification. If the tackifier is not compatible,
then it acts as a filler in the system, i.e., it will increase the modulus and will not change the Tg.

Solubility parameter, molecular weight and molecular weight distribution determine compatibility.

For those who have access to DSC or other characterization equipment – You can check if the tackifier is
compatible with the polymer by checking for the Tg value. If the tackifier is compatible, you will see only
one Tg for the system, otherwise the system will show two different Tg.

2
Other criteria’s important when using tackifier

1. Softening Point: For the same tackifier family, a low softening point resin will be more compatible
in a specific polymer than a higher softening point. Resins with higher softening points are less
miscible in the polymer, but if compatible offer higher shear resistance and creep resistance.

2. Dosage: Modulus increase will begin in the range of 40%-60% of resin loading. However, tackifier
content more than 20% generally results in lower cohesive strength. For natural rubber-based
PSAs tackified with hydrocarbon resins, maximum tack is obtained at 50%-60% dosage of tackifier.

3. Compounding High viscosity tackifiers are pre-warmed for better handling. Tackifiers with higher
melting point should be added early in the formulation stage to ensure complete melting and
mixing. Soft resins can be added with fillers and other additives to make use of their wetting and
dispersing properties, and relatively late addition can be useful for building tack.

3
Application of Tackifiers

The primary application areas for different tackifiers are listed below in the table.

Applications Hot Melt Solvent based Water based

Tapes and Labels SBC SBC, Acrylic, EVA Acrylic, NR

Disposables SBC, APO, EVA SBC Acrylic, VAE
Pressure sensitive
Graphic arts SBC, APO, PE, EVA
adhesives SBC, Acrylic Acrylic
General Assembly EVA, SBC
Packaging EVA, SBC, APO SBC PVA, VAE, NR
Heat Seal Labeling NR
SBC, APO, EVA SBC
Non-woven Acrylic, VAE

General Assembly Packaging SBC, APO, PE, EVA

SBC, Acrylic Acrylic, PVAc, VAE
Product Assembly SBC, APO, EVA
Bookbinding EVA, SBC SBC
Insulated glass SBC

Ceramic tiles &

Sealants
fixtures Acrylic, VAE
General SBC SBC, Acrylic

Urethane,
Shoe making Urethane
Neoprene
Neoprene,
Contact Adhesives
Urethane
SBC, Neoprene,
Construction SBC
Urethane

SBC: Styrene Block Copolymers NR: Natural Rubber

APO: Amorphous Polyolefin VAE: Vinyl Acetate Ethylene
EVA: Ethylene vinyl acetate PVAc: Polyvinyl Acetate
PE: Polyethylene

References

1. Special Chem. Selecting tackifiers for Adhesives and Sealants.