P oduct

Claimed to be one of the lowest priced units of its kind on the UK market, the Uni 110 gummed tape dispenser has been designed to meet the needs of most gummed tape sealing operations. I t is available for use with any kind of gummed tape, whether wound with the gum inside or out, and wi l l take reels of up to 200 mm diameter, from 20 to 80 mm wide. In one lever movement pre-set tape lengths from 100 mm to 800 mm are moistened, precision-cut and dispensed.

Packaging Aids Limited, 103 Wantz Road, Dagenham, Essex, RM 10 8PS, UK.

B e n c h - t o p i n s t r u m e n t measures peel s t r e n g t h

Imass Incorporated, MA, USA, offers a portable Slip/Peel tester, Model SP 101B. Claimed to be simple to operate, the instrument will store measurement in memory for display on the meter screen when required. Either peak force or average force (over 10, 20, or 50 seconds, operator selectable) may be obtained in this way.

The 101B will measure 90 ° peel, 180 ° peel, or "T' peel at a speed of 12 in (approx 305 mm) per minute, which complies with the Pressure Sensitive Tape Council standard requirements. Other models are available with speeds varying from 0.5 in (12.7 mm)/min to 90 in (228.6 mm)/min.

As the name implies, the tester will also measure the coefficient of friction between two surfaces.

Imass Incorporated, PO Box 134, Accord (Hingham), MA 02018, USA

Adhesive assists smoo th label l ing

Swiftak 100 is the latest addition to the range of PET, Pvc and polystyrene labelling adhesives from Swift Adhesives Limited, UK. Developed to give high initial tack, the product also allows low coating weights to be used which not only leads to good label presentation but also assists in clean machine running.

The manufacturers claim that Swiftak 100 has been successfully tested on a variety of rotary and

of PET conta iners

straight-through labellers and that it can be used on dry or damp, warm or cold bottles. It is said to give good fibre-tear on PVC, PET and polystyrene bottles and may be used with 'difficult' labels such as those that are metallized or Pro- backed.

A data-sheet on Swiftak 100 may be obtained from: Swift Adhesives Limited, St George's House, 3 St George's Place, Twickenham, Middlesex, TW1 3NE, UI~

Contact adhesive developed for PVC substrates Stelmax Limited, UK manufacturers of specialist adhesives and sealants, has introduced an adhesive suitable for the assembly of rigid or flexible small PVC components. Stelmax Impact Adhesive 1985, formed by a PVC resin and tetrahydrofuran solvent mix, is said to be an easily- applied adhesive which bonds instantly to form a strong, maintenance-free joint. Supplied in

135 g tubes with a plastic applicator, Stelmax 1985 is particularly suitable for applications where bonding is only possible over small, narrow surface areas. The weathering properties, ultraviolet light and chemical resistance of the product are said to be similar to those of good quality PVC.

Stelmax Limited, 69 Constable Road, Ipswich, IP4 2 UZ UI~

Preview

A course on Adhesion Science and Technology will be held in The Hague, The Netherlands, on 16-19 November 1987. Topics to be covered will include: surface analysis techniques and their importance in adhesion; clean surface technology and the importance of surface cleanliness in adhesion; theories and mechanisms of adhesion; understanding interfacial interaction; locus of bond failure; adhesion improvement techniques; adhesion of films and coatings; adhesion aspects of metallized plastics; resist adhesion; adhesion measurement techniques; durability; and testing of adhesive joints. The course director will be Dr K.L. Mittal.

Further information may be obtained from: The Center for Professional Advancement, Palestrinastraat 1, 1071 LC Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

A short course on Fracture Mechanics of Engineering Plastics, Adhesives, and Composites has been arranged to take place at Imperial College, London, UK, on 5-7 January 1988. Designed to give a detailed introduction to both the theory and practice of fracture mechanics of non-metallic materials and to show its industrial relevance, the course will be suitable for those of degree or equivalent level and no prior knowledge of fracture mechanics will be assumed. It will be of interest to engineers, materials scientists, physicists, chemists working on mechanical characterization, and metallurgists who are engaged in research, development or technical service where the fracture and failure of engineering plastics, adhesives and fibre-reinforced materials is of interest.

Further information may be

180 INT.J.ADHESION AND ADHESIVES OCTOBER 1987