Peel-Cling Test

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Peel-Cling test

General information

Various test methods are known for investigating the adhesion or cling behaviour of adhesive films. While the T-peel test and fixed-arm peel test are used for sealing films, e.g., to assess sealing behaviour in the food industry, the peel-cling test is used for stretch films in the packaging industry to evaluate self-adhesion (adhesion of films to themselves). These packaging films are used, for example, in agriculture or for pallets to secure loads during transport or storage.

Fundamentals of the test method

The peel-cling test according to ASTM D 5458 [1] is used to characterise the cling behaviour of stretch films. This test method measures the force required to separate a strip of film with a defined area from a fixed underlying film made of identical material (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1:

Set-up and measuring principle of the peel-cling test

The measuring principle is based on fixing the underlying film on a 20° inclined plane by placing the film on and under the wedge and tightening it using a rotary knob. The film must lie on the base without any bubbles or wrinkles. A 1-inch (25.4 mm) wide strip of film is then placed in the centre of this film and rolled on with a brush or roller to remove any wrinkles or bubbles, with a clamp attached to the lower end with a thread. This thread is guided by means of a deflection roller to the clamping device (see also: specimen clamping) of a universal testing machine (Fig. 2) [2, 3].

Fig. 2:

Functionality of the peel-cling test

After applying a preload to tension the thread, the test is carried out at a test speed of 100 mm min^-1. The force F and the crosshead path ΔL are recorded when the upper film is detached from the start of the plane, where the angle of the wedge is 20°, to the cling line 2.6 inches away (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3:

Technical model of the peel-cling test on a universal testing machine

Determination of measured variables

The recorded force-extension diagram (Fig. 4) is stored by the universal testing machine and evaluated by the associated software. In accordance with ASTM D 5485, the cling force F_cling at point A and the total energy E_G are determined. However, due to the low forces, which are significantly below 1 N, the evaluation of this test poses considerable problems. This is because the elastic deformation and bending effects of the films are recorded in the area of the start-up behaviour and steep rise of the curve until a constant level for the peeling process should occur at point A. As can be seen in Fig. 2, even the pull-off angle of the test device is not constant, which results in a geometry-dependent test force and means that a constant cling peel force cannot be obtained.

Fig. 4:

Ideal and real force–extension curve in the peel-cling test [4]

See also

• Peel-Cling test extended
• Peel-Cling test cyclic
• Peeling process
• Peel properties of peel systems
• Adhesive energy release rate

References

[1]	ASTM D 5458 (1995; reapproved 2025): Standard Test Method for Peel Cling of Stretch Wrap Film
[2]	Rennert, M., Nase, M., Reincke, K., Lach, R., Grellmann, W.: Fracture Mechanics Characterisation of Low-adhesive Stretch Films. In: Grellmann, W., Langer, B. (Eds.): Deformation and Fracture Behaviour of Polymer Materials. Springer Series in Materials Science 247, Springer, Berlin Heidelberg (2017) 283–296 (ISBN 978-3-319-41877-3; e-Book: ISBN 978-3-319-41879-7; see AMK-Library under A 19)
[3]	Rennert, M.: Fracture Mechanics Investigation of Autohesive Interfacial Interactions of Polyethylene Stretch Wrap Films. Promotion. Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg. November 16, 2018 (see AMK-Library under B 1-29) ([Content)
[4]	Reincke, K.: Testing of Polymeric Films. In: Grellmann, W., Seidler, S. (Eds.): Polymer Testing. Carl Hanser Munich (2022). 3rd Edition, pp. 643–678 (ISBN 978-1-56990-806-8; e-Book ISBN 978-1-56990-807-5; ePub ISBN 978-1-56990-802-2; see AMK-Library under A 22)