Substrate temperature effects on the peel behavior of temporary pavement marking tapes

Temporary pavement marking (TPM) tapes are utilized In road construction to delineate temporary traffic lanes and work zones. Adhesive failure of TPM tapes can therefore remove lane and work zone designations, confusing drivers and causing serious accidents, especially in high speed zones. Thus, the adhesion of TPM tapes to pavement surface plays an important role in road construction traffic safety. Pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs) comprise the adhesive layer of TPM tapes. The adhesion of PSAs depends on their temperature-dependent viscoelastic properties. Since environmental conditions vary during construction, the adhesion of TPM tapes will change over a range of operating temperatures. The viscoelastic properties and peel force of four brands of commercial TPM tapes were characterized via double lap shear dynamic mechanical analysis and 90 degrees angle peel adhesion testing over a range of temperatures (-20 degrees C to 40 degrees C). The interfacial fracture behavior and peel forces were analyzed with respect to the measured viscoelastic properties of TPM tapes. For temperatures below the glass transition temperature of the top layer and the transition temperature into the rubbery plateau of the PSA, the peel force decreased. Through this simple technique, an effective operating temperature range for each TPM tape was determined.