INTRODUCTION

The Technical Handbook has, over the years, become one of the Technical Committee’s most important initiatives and is now a globally accepted norm for testing and handling self-adhesive laminates and labels. The 8th edition, published in 2009 contains two new test methods (FTM26 and FTM27), covering wash-off labels and the rub-resistance of printed labels. In this edition we have also made a full review of sections 2-12, the second part of the Handbook. Some sections have been removed, some have been completely re-written, others have only been slightly modified. By removing some sections and shortening others we have tried to keep the Handbook as compact as possible, still making sure it contains all relevant and important information.
English is the global language, but we truly believe there is a need for translations into as many languages as we have the capacity to cover. At the moment the English, French, German and Italian versions are available. Possible other language versions (e.g. business Chinese) will be released at a later date.
We would like to thank all members of the Technical Committee for their excellent work in creating, translating and proofreading the content. A special thanks to Jacques Lechat, Chairman of the Test Method Sub-Committee, for organising and leading this project.
We would like to encourage all members to provide input and feedback about the contents of the Handbook. Together we can make the next edition even more useful!

DISCLAIMER

Although the 27 FINAT Test Methods described in this publication have been prepared with the utmost care and accuracy, it should be noted that the safety, efficiency and performance of these tests methods and associated procedures are the responsibility of the end-user. FINAT cannot be held liable for any loss, damage or injury resulting from their application. Furthermore, the test methods and associated information do not in themselves imply any specification of performance relating to the materials under test.

CONTENTS 

Section 1: FINAT Test Methods & Reference List

• FTM 1 Peel adhesion (180°) at 300mm per minute
• FTM 2 Peel adhesion (90°) at 300mm per minute
• FTM 3 Low speed release force
• FTM 4 High speed release force (10 - 300 m per minute)
• FTM 5 Accelerated ageing - Extended storage
• FTM 6 Resistance to ultra-violet light
• FTM 7 Silicone coat weight by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectometry
• FTM 8 Resistance to shear from a standard surface
• FTM 9 Loop tack measurement
• FTM 10 Quality of silicone coated substrates for self-adhesive laminates: release force (300 mm per minute)
• FTM 11 Quality of silicone coated substrates for self-adhesive laminates: subsequent adhesion
• FTM 12 Adhesive coat weight
• FTM 13 Low temperature adhesion
• FTM 14 Dimensional stability
• FTM 15 Surface tension of plastic films
• FTM 16 Chemical resistance - Spot method
• FTM 17 Chemical resistance - Immersion method
• FTM 18 Dynamic shear
• FTM 19 Recycling compatibility of self-adhesive labels
• FTM 20 Fluorescence and whiteness
• FTM 21 Ink adhesion (basic)
• FTM 22 Ink adhesion (advanced)
• FTM 23 Die strike (a. paper; b. filmic paper)
• FTM 24 Mandrel hold
• FTM 25 Evaluation of silicone coverage of coated papers by use of a water based stain test
• FTM 26 Wash-off paper and film labels
• FTM 27 Ink rub test for UV printed labels, ink surface against substrate or ink surface

Section 2: Test Equipment

• 2.1. Standard FINAT Test Roller
• 2.2. Automatic Rolling Device
• 2.3. Sources of Test Equipment
• 2.4. Tesa test tapes

Section 3: Recommended joins in self-adhesive laminates for roll labels
Section 4: Processing recommendations
Section 5: Surfaces requiring caution
Section 6: Safety guide for users of self-adhesive label stock products
Section 7: Handling and storage of label stock throughout printing and converting
Section 8: Qualitative adhesion testing
Section 9: Adhesives

• Nomenclature for adhesives used in self-adhesive laminates

Section 10: Unwind roll chart
Section 11: Recommendations regarding static electricity

HOW TO ORDER

FINAT members and companies that become a member of FINAT automatically receive a free copy in either English, German, French or business Chinese. Of course it is also possible to order additional copies (€ 30 p/copy for members, € 45 p/copy for non-members). FINAT members may also download the Technical Handbooks from the members' only section of the FINAT website. Further information and the order form can be found in the prospectus.

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