Polyisobutylene can be used as either a base polymer or as a modifier in a variety of adhesive formulations. These resins have similar properties to natural rubber except that their aging properties are significantly better. The natural tack, stability, and light color of polyisobutylene resins make them ideal in many applications.
RESULTING PROPERTIES
PIB resins are used in adhesive formulations generally because of their resistance to aging and to attack by chemicals. They are used in pressure sensitive adhesives for technical and medical applications, such as surgical tapes, sealing tapes, insulating tapes, masking tapes, and anticorrosion tapes.
Many pressure sensitive tape products are formulated with polyisobutylene resins as the base polymer. These products remain permanently tacky. The table above provides a formulation for a hot melt pressure sensitive adhesive that can be applied to removable label stock. The lack of age hardening characteristics has made PIB adhesives one of the first choices for removable pressure sensitive adhesive products. These are often used for bonding credit cards, product handouts, etc. to mailing brochures.
