Photoreactivity adjustment of acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesives

Scientific interest in UV crosslinkable systems developed in the 1940s, when the first patent was granted for unsaturated polyester styrene inks that polymerized readily under UV radiation. Basic solvent-based, water-borne or solvent free pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs)—polymers used in self-adhesive tapes, labels and layers—are usually acrylics, natural or synthetic rubbers, silicones, polyesters, polyurethanes, polyether or ethylenevinyl acetate copolymers. Normally, these polymers are not photoreactive.