Heat-Activated Films for Bonding and Liner Removal

A heat-activated adhesive film needs a defined heat process to form its intended bond. tesa HAF is not tacky at room temperature and is bonded with a controlled combination of time, temperature and pressure. A pressure-sensitive adhesive system is applied differently; the word “film” alone does not identify the bonding mechanism. Check the data for the specific product and the heat tolerance of both substrates before choosing a format.

No. This category includes liner-removal films as well as adhesive films. 3M Hitzeaktivierbare Abziehfolie 5081 is described for removing liners and adhering to polyolefin release films; that does not establish its suitability as an adhesive film between components. Define the intended result first. For a bond, the substrates, adhesive film and available heat process must match; for liner removal, the specific release film is decisive.

Specify both substrates, their surfaces and the heating, pressure and processing time available in your operation. For reactive tesa HAF, these parameters govern the bond. Conditions in a manufacturer's documentation apply to that system and processing stage; they cannot simply be transferred to another adhesive film. Also describe the loads the finished assembly will face. These details support discussion of a suitable format and a meaningful trial for your application.

Converting depends on the material and the intended processing method: Krückemeyer GmbH can cut suitable base materials and produce die-cut parts. The manufacturer's documentation identifies tesa HAF as suitable for die-cutting, and the catalogue lists 3M Hitzeaktivierbarer Klebstoff-Film 583 as processable into die-cut parts. Specify the required width, contour and supply format. Whether the selected film performs as intended after converting must be checked for the product and application.