Types of Tests

Peel

What is a peel test?

Simply stated a peel test measures the tack, lap shear and tensile strength of adhesives and sealants. Bond strength can be measured by using either a climbing drum fixture (in say the case of a aluminium skin being peeled from a honeycomb wing structure) or in the form of tackiness of adhesive tape against different substrates.

Tape manufacturers have to test the strength and consistency of application of adhesives by performing 90 degree and 180 degree peel tests – often, maintaining the angle of peel is a critical requirement and crosshead movement of a motorized bed can be used to maintain the angle of pull.

Sealant manufacturers have to test the adhesive qualities of their products as well as their compressive and tensile strength. Occasionally these same samples have to be tested in both directions, and at elevated and reduced temperatures. Results are typically expressed as load per unit length of peel; this is not to be confused tear testing where results are expressed as load per unit width of tear.