Solutions for Diagnostic Device Applications
Diagonostic Device Applications
As a global technology leader, Adhesives Research (AR) provides solutions to critical healthcare segments, including Diagnostic Devices.
AR’s portfolio of pressure sensitive adhesives and heat seals is designed for a broad range of Blood Glucose Test Strip, Lateral Flow Immunoassay, Microplate, and Microfluidic Device applications including cover, spacer, transfer, and hydrophilic tapes. Our chemists and engineers are passionate about developing innovation-rich products that help our customers overcome challenging applications in meeting the demands of an ever- evolving Diagnostic Device market.
Typical applications include:
Sealing/Cover Tapes
Permanent and removable pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) sealing tapes, available in both acrylic and silicone options, provide a range of protective cover material options in applications such as reagent packs, microplates and microfluidic devices. Our updated offering now includes PFAs-free options.
Microfluidic Spacer Tapes
Double-coated spacer tapes are used in devices to create channels with tailorable volumes and flow rates, accommodating a variety of substrate chemistries and surface energies. Our advanced manufacturing process, coupled with in-line measurement gauges, ensures precision in tape thickness and adhesive performance, guaranteeing optimal device functionality.
Fluid management
AR’s proprietary ARflow® hydrophilic adhesive technologies reduce the surface tension of aqueous fluids (water, urine or blood), allowing for rapid flow from the inlet area to a remote reagent site within diagnostic and microfluidic devices.
General bonding
Transfer tapes for versatile bonding options throughout the device (including low VOC, low surface energy and high surface energy substrates)
Process aids:
Ultra-clean release liners and protective films to withstand extreme process conditions for medical device production with no chemical contamination.
Blood Glucose Test Strip
Microplate Cover/Seal Tape
Lateral Flow Immunoassay
Microfluidic
Device
Types of Tape Construction
Transfer Tape (TT)
Unsupported adhesive is coated directly onto a release liner, allowing transfer films to be the most flexible and conformable of all bonding systems.
Single-Coated Tape (SCT)
Single-coated tapes consist of a backing that is coated on one side with an adhesive. Single-coated tapes are available either in selfwound rolls or with a release liner for ease of application.
Heat-activated Film Tape
Heat-activated film tapes require heat and pressure to achieve final bonding to any surface.
Double- Coated Tape (DCT)
Double-coated tapes have a carrier that is coated on both sides with an adhesive. The instant bonding capabilities of double-coated tapes make them very conductive to automation and high-speed processing.
Technology Highlights
PFAS – free Sealing/Cover tapes
ARsealTM 32000 Series
Key features:
Product construction:
| Product | Construction | Release Liner (Type/Thickness) | Adhesive (Type/Thickness) | Carrier/Backing (Color/Type/Thickness or Basis Weight) | Total Thickness (excluding liners) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARseal™ 32440 | SCT | White siliconized polyester (PFAS-free /51 µm) | Silicone / 51 µm | Clear polypropylene / 51 µm | 102 µm |
| ARseal™ 32460 | SCT | White siliconized polyester (PFAS-free /51 µm) | Silicone / 51 µm | Clear polyester / 100 µm | 151 µm |
Technical properties:
| Product | Peel Adhesion on Stainless Steel | Release of Liner | Optical Clarity (Transmission, Haze, Clarity) | Recommended storage of unconverted product | Shelf life of unconverted product |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARseal™ 32440 | 60 oz/in | 20 g/2 in | 100% 1% 98% |
70°F±20°F 21°C ±11°C 50% ± 20% RH |
Not to exceed one year from the date of manufacture |
| ARseal™ 32460 | 90 oz/in | 10 g/2 in | 98% 0.6% 99% |
70°F±20°F 21°C ±11°C 50% ± 20% RH |
Not to exceed one year from the date of manufacture |
Technology Highlights
Microfluidic Spacer Tape
ARcare® 94119
Key features:
Product construction:
| Construction | 1st and 2nd Release Liner (Type/Thickness) | 1st and 2nd Adhesive (Type/Thickness) | Carrier/Backing (Color/Type/Thickness or Basis Weight) | Total thickness (excluding liners) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DCT | Clear polyester / 51 µm | Silicone / 46 µm | Clear polypropylene / 51 µm | 143 µm |
Technical properties:
| Peel Adhesion on Stainless Steel | Release of Polyester Liner | Recommended storage of unconverted product | Shelf life of unconverted product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 65 oz/in | 26 g/2 in | 270°F±20°F 21°C ±11°C 50% ± 20% RH |
Not to exceed one year from the date of manufacture |
Sealing Tapes
| Product | Description | Construction | Release Liner (Type/Thickness) | Adhesive (Type/Thickness) | Carrier/Backing (Color/Type/Thickness) | Thickness (without liner) | Adhesion to Stainless Steel (ozf/in [N/25.4mm]) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARseal™ 32440 (formally ARseal™ 94460) | Acrylic PSASilicone PSA with non-fluorinated, PFAS-free release liner for laminating and assembly of in-vitro diagnostic and related membrane-based immunoassay devices. | SCT | White siliconized polyester (PFAS-free) / 51 µm | Silicone / 51 µm | Clear polypropylene/51 µm | 102 µm | 60 (17.0) |
| ARseal™ 32460 (formally ARseal™ 94506) | Silicone PSA with non-fluorinated, PFAS-free release liner for laminating and assembly of in-vitro diagnostic and related membrane-based immunoassay devices. | SCT | White siliconized polyester (PFAS-free) / 51 µm | Silicone / 51 µm | Clear polyester/100 µm | 151 µm | 94 (26.0) |
| ARseal™ 90697 | Silicone PSA for laminating and assembly of in-vitro diagnostic and related membrane-based immunoassay devices. | SCT | Fluorosilicone coated polyester / 51 µm | Silicone / 46 µm | Clear polypropylene/51 µm | 97 µm | 50 (14.0) |
| ARseal™ 94090 | Acrylic PSA for laminating and assembly of in-vitro diagnostic and related membrane-based immunoassay devices. | SCT | Fluorosilicone coated polyester / 51 µm | Silicone / 51 µm | Clear polypropylene/51 µm | 102 µm | 65 (18.1) |
| ARseal™ 94126 | Acrylic PSA for laminating and assembly of in-vitro diagnostic and related membrane-based immunoassay devices. | SCT | Fluorosilicone coated polyester / 51 µm | Silicone / 51 µm | Clear polyester/100 µm | 151 µm/td> | 100 (27.8) |
| ARcare® 7759 | Acrylic PSA for laminating and assembly of in-vitro diagnostic and related membrane-based immunoassay devices. | SCT | Clear polyester/51 µm | Acrylic / 30 µm | Clear polyester/25 µm | 56 µm | 50 (13.9) |
| ARcare® 7815 | Acrylic PSA for laminating and assembly of in-vitro diagnostic and related membrane-based immunoassay devices. | SCT | Clear polyester/51 µm | Acrylic / 30 µm | Clear polyester/51 µm | 81 µm | 75 (20.5) |
| ARcare® 92104 | Acrylic PSA for laminating and assembly of in-vitro diagnostic and related membrane-based immunoassay devices. | SCT | Clear polyester/51 µm | Acrylic / 30 µm | Clear polyester/76 µm | 106 µm | 91 (25.0) |
| ARcare® 7922 | Acrylic PSA for laminating and assembly of in-vitro diagnostic and related membrane-based immunoassay devices. | SCT | 53# off-white paper/ 81 µm | Acrylic / 20 µm | Aluminum Foil / 76 µm | 96 µm | 63 (17.5) |
| ARcare® 8192 | Acrylic PSA for laminating and assembly of in-vitro diagnostic and related membrane-based immunoassay devices. | SCT | Clear polyester/51 µm | Acrylic / 18 µm | Clear polyester/ 127 µm | 145 µm | 68 (18.9) |
| ARcare® 8259 | Acrylic PSA for laminating and assembly of in-vitro diagnostic and related membrane-based immunoassay devices. | SCT | Clear polyester/51 µm | Acrylic / 30 µm | White polyester/127 µm | 157 µm | 100 (27.8) |
| ARcare® 9020 | Acrylic PSA for laminating and assembly of in-vitro diagnostic and related membrane-based immunoassay devices. | SCT | White 90# paper/ 142 µm | Acrylic / 30 µm | White polystyrene/254 µm | 284 µm | 56 (15.6) |
| ARcare® 90437 | Acrylic PSA for laminating and assembly of in-vitro diagnostic and related membrane-based immunoassay devices. | SCT | Off-white 42# paper/ 64 µm | Acrylic / 51 µm | White vinyl/89 µm | 140 µm | 100 (27.8) |
| ARcare® 92617 | Acrylic PSA for laminating and assembly of in-vitro diagnostic and related membrane-based immunoassay devices. | SCT | Polycoated Paper/ 102 µm | Acrylic / 13 µm | Clear polyester/36 µm | 49 µm | 45 (12.5) |
General Bonding
| Product | Description | Construction | 1st Release Liner (Type/Thickness) | Adhesive (Type/Thickness) | 2nd Release Liner (Type/Thickness) | Thickness (without liner) | Peel Adhesion to Stainless Steel (ozf/in[N/25.4 mm]) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ARclad® 7876 |
Silicone PSA for medical devices for excellent long-term stability and low surface energy substrates | TT |
Clear polyester/ 51 µm |
Silicone transfer / 56 µm |
Clear polyester/ 51 µm |
56 µm | 62 (17.0) |
|
ARcare® 8026 |
Silicone PSA for medical devices for excellent long-term stability and low surface energy substrates | TT |
Clear polyester/ 51 µm |
Silicone transfer / 25 µm | Clear polyester/ 51 µm | 25 µm | 45 (12.4) |
|
ARcare® 92524 |
Acrylic optically clear PSA for bonding, laminating, assembly of medical devices |
TT | Clear polyester/ 51 µm |
Acrylic optically clear / 25 µm |
Clear polyester/ 51 µm | 25 µm | 50 (13.9) |
|
ARcare® 93551 |
Acrylic PSA for adhering medical devices with high and low surface energy materials | TT | Clear polyester/ 51 µm |
Acrylic / 28 µm |
Clear polyester/ 51 µm | 28 µm | 65 (18.1) |
|
ARcare® 93977 |
Acrylic PSA for adhering medical devices with high and low surface energy materials | TT | Clear polyester/ 51 µm |
Acrylic / 51 µm |
Clear polyester/ 51 µm | 51 µm | 130 (36.0) |
Microfluidic Diagnostic Tapes
| Product | Description | Construction | 1st Release Liner (Type/Thickness) | 1st Adhesive (Type/Thickness) | Carrier/Backing (Color/Type/Thickness) | 2nd Adhesive (Type/Thickness) | 2nd Release Liner (Type/Thickness) | Thickness (without liner) | 1st Adhesive Peel Adhesion to Stainless Steel (ozf/in [N/25.4mm]) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARclad® 7876 | Acrylic PSA for bonding, laminating and assembly of medical devices | DCT | Clear polyester/ 51 µm | Acrylic / 20 μm | White polyester / 51 μm | Acrylic / 20 μm | Clear polyester/ 51 µm | 91 µm | 91 µm |
|
ARcare® 8252 |
Acrylic PSA for bonding, laminating and assembly of medical devices | DCT | Clear polyester/ 51 µm | Acrylic / 43 μm | Clear polyester/ 25 µm | Acrylic / 43 μm | Clear polyester/ 51 µm | 111 µm | 70 (19.5) |
| ARcare® 8939 | Acrylic PSA for bonding, laminating and assembly of medical devices | DCT | Clear polyester/ 51 µm | Acrylic / 25 μm | White polyester / 76 μm | Acrylic / 25 μm | Clear polyester/ 51 µm | 127 µm | 50 (13.9) |
| ARcare® 90445Q | Acrylic PSA for bonding, laminating and assembly of medical devices | DCT | Clear polyester/ 51 µm | Acrylic / 28 μm | Clear polyester/ 25 µm | Acrylic / 28 μm | Clear polyester/ 51 µm | 81 µm | 70 (19.5) |
| ARcare® 93836 | Acrylic PSA for bonding, laminating and assembly of medical devices | DCT | Clear polyester/ 51 µm | Acrylic / 20 μm | Clear polypropylene / 51 μm | Acrylic / 20 μm | 91 µm | 45 (12.5) | |
| ARcare® 7737 | High-tack self-wound tape for bonding, laminating and assembly of medical devices | DCT | Off-white 55# paper / 81 μm |
Acrylic / 33 μm | Clear polyester / 13 μm | Acrylic / 33 μm | 79 µm | 75 (20.9) | |
| ARclean® 90176 | Acid-free, low outgassing acrylic PSA for use in medical applications | DCT | Off-white 84# paper/165 μm | Acrylic / 38 μm | Clear polyester / 51 μm | Acrylic / 38 μm | Clear polyester / 51 μm | 127 µm | 55 (15.0) |
| ARcare® 8915-6970 | Acid-free, low outgassing acrylic PSA for use in medical applications | DCT | Clear polyester / 51 μm | Acrylic / 38 μm | Clear polyester /76 μm | Acrylic / 38 μm | Clear polyester / 38 μm | 152 µm | 60 (16.7) |
| ARcare® 8915W-6970 | DCT | Clear polyester / 51 μm | Acrylic / 38 μm | White polyester / 76 μm | Acrylic / 38 μm | Clear polyester / 38 μm | 152 µm | 60 (16.7) | |
| ARcare® 92660 | High tack, shear and adhesion acrylic PSA for medical device assembly. | DCT | Clear polyester / 51 μm | Acrylic / 38 μm | White polyester / 178 μm | Acrylic / 38 μm | Clear polyester / 51 μm | 254 µm | 85 (23.6) |
| ARcare® 92712 | Flexible, thin, conformable acrylic adhesive for bonding, laminating and assembly of medical devices | DCT | Clear polyester / 51 μm | Acrylic / 18 μm | Clear polyester / 13 μm | Acrylic / 18 μm | Clear polyester / 51 μm | 49 µm | 66 (18.3) |
| ARcare® 92848 | Thermoplastic, heat sealing adhesive for joining of polymer plastic and metalized plastic substrates in medical devices | HDCT | Clear polyester / 51 μm | Heat seal / 23 μm | White polyester / 51 μm | Heat seal / 23 μm | Clear polyester / 51 μm | 97 µm | – |
| ARcare® 92448 | Rubber PSA for bonding, laminating, and assembly of medical devices | DCT | Clear polyester / 51 μm | Rubber / 76 μm | Clear polyester / 250 μm | Rubber / 76 μm | Clear polyester / 51 μm | 402 µm | 198 (55.0) |
| ARcare® 90106NB | High tack and peel adhesion acrylic PSA ideally suited for bonding, laminating and assembly of low surface energy medical | DCT | White polyester / 51 μm | Acrylic / 58 μm | Clear polyester / 25 μm | Acrylic / 58 μm | White polyester / 51 μm | 141 µm | 150 (41.7) |
| ARcare® 94119 | Silicone PSA evaporation barrier for bonding, laminating and assembly of medical devices | DCT | Clear polyester / 51 μm5 | Silicone / | Clear polypropylene / 51 μm | Silicone / 46 μm | Clear polyester / 51 μm | 143 µm | 65 (18.1) |
Fluid Management
| Product | Description | Construction | 1st Release Liner (Type/Thickness) | 1st Adhesive (Type/Thickness) | Carrier/Backing (Color/Type/Thickness) | 2nd Adhesive (Type/Thickness) | 2nd Release Liner (Type/Thickness) | Thickness (without liner) | Contact angle with water (2µL Dl water drop, 30 sec. dwell) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARflow® 93687 | Double sided tape with hydrophilic PSA on both sides for use in medical devices | DCT | Clear polyester/ 76µm | Hydrophilic / 76 µm | Clear Polyester / 13 µm | Hydrophilic / 76 µm | Clear polyester/ 51 µm | 165 µm | 6° |
| ARflow® 9302 | Single coated tape with hydrophilic coating for use in in-vitro diagnostic and applications that require enhanced wettability with water, blood or other hydrophilic liquids. | SCT | Clear polyester/38 µm | Hydrophilic / 11 µm | Clear polyester / 102 µm | – | – | 113 µm | 4° – 10° |
| ARflow® 93049 | Single coated tape with hydrophilic coating for use in in-vitro diagnostic and applications that require enhanced wettability with water, blood or other hydrophilic liquids. | SCT | Clear polyester/38 µm | Hydrophilic / 25 µm | Clear polyester / 76 µm | – | – | 101 µm | 6° – 7° |
| ARflow® 93699 | Single coated tape with hydrophilic coating for use in in-vitro diagnostic and applications that require enhanced wettability with water, blood or other hydrophilic liquids. | SCT | Clear polyester/51 µm | Hydrophilic / 46 µm | Clear polyester / 76 µm | – | – | 122 µm | 6° |
| ARflow® 93450 | Hydrophilic PSA with excellent wettability with water, blood, and other hydrophilic liquids for in-vitro diagnostic device assembly | TT | Clear polyester/ 51 µm | Hydrophilic / 25 µm | – | – | White polyester / 51 μm | 25 µm | < 10° |
| ARflow® 93361 | Polyester heat seal with single-sided hydrophilic coating for enhanced surface wettability to water, blood and other hydrophilic liquids are required | Heat – activated | Low density polyethylene / 51 µm | Hydrophilic heat seal/ 25 µm | Clear polyester / 102 µm | – | – | 127 µm | ~ 10° |
| ARflow® 90128 | Polyester heat seal with single-sided hydrophilic coating for enhanced surface wettability to water, blood and other hydrophilic liquids are required | Heat – activated | Clear polyester/51 µm | Hydrophilic heat seal / 30 µm | Clear polyester / 127 µm | – | – | 157 µm | ~ 10° |
| ARflow® 93234 | Acrylic heat seal with single-sided hydrophilic coating for enhanced surface wettability to water, blood and other hydrophilic liquids are required | Heat – activated | Clear polyester / 51 μm | Hydrophilic heat seal/ 25 µm | Clear polyester /76 μm | – | – | 101 µm | < 10° |
Process Aids
| Product | Description | Construction | Carrier (Color/Type/Thickness) | Adhesive(Type/Thickness) | Peel Adhesion to Stainless Steel (ozf/in [N/25.4mm]) | Release Classification | Release Force (g/2 in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARclad® 79027 | Low-tack acrylic self-wound tape suitable for temporary protection or as a process aid for casting | SCT | Clear polyester/ 51µm | Acrylic / 18 μm | 0.3 (0.08) | – | – |
| ARclean® W-5000 | Thermally cured, solventless silicone coating suitable for clean and consistent removal of liner from adhesive or coated material | SCT / Liner | Clear polyester / 76 μm | – | – | Medium-Tight | 40-80 |
| ARclean® W-5002 | Thermally cured, solventless silicone coating suitable for clean and consistent removal of liner from adhesive or coated material | SCT/Liner | Clear polyester/76 µm | – | – | Easy | 15 |
| ARclean® W-5003 | Thermally cured, solventless silicone coating suitable for clean and consistent removal of liner from adhesive or coated material | SCT/Liner | Clear polyester/ 51 µm | – | – | Easy-Medium | 25 |
| ARclean® W-5004 | Thermally cured, solventless silicone coating suitable for clean and consistent removal of liner from adhesive or coated material | SCT/Liner | Clear polyester / 51 μm | – | – | Medium-Tight | 50-70 |
| ARclean® W-5005 | Thermally cured, solventless silicone coating suitable for clean and consistent removal of liner from adhesive or coated material | SCT/Liner | Clear polyester/51 µm | – | – | Tight | 70-130 |
| ARclean® W-6000 | UV-cured silicone coating suited for medical applications where clean and consistent removal of release liner is required | SCT/Liner | Clear polyester / 51 μm | – | – | Easy | 20 |
| ARclean® W-4013 | Ultra-clean liner with ultra-low extractables; ideal for sensitive medical components and materials | SCT/Liner | Clear polyester / 76 μm |
– | – | Easy | 10 |
| ARclean® W-5030 | Ultra-clean liner with ultra-low extractables; ideal for sensitive medical components and materials | SCT/Liner | Clear polyester / 51 μm | – | – | Medium-Tight | 54 |
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