The choice of adhesive is a fundamental part of designing and manufacturing any diabetes care device. From the skin-contact layer of a CGM to the hydrophilic tape in a test strip, each component has specific material requirements. This guide provides an overview of the various adhesive solutions available for CGMs, insulin pumps, and blood glucose monitors (BGMs).
Long-Term Wear Adhesives (7+ days)
These tapes are designed for direct skin contact, providing secure attachment for wearable devices that need to remain in place for an extended period. The carriers are often soft, conformable nonwovens that allow the skin to breathe.
- ARcare® 93690 is an acrylic PSA with a PU nonwoven carrier, designed for up to 21-day wear for CGMs.
- ARcare® 93439 uses a PET nonwoven carrier and is suitable for both CGMs and insulin pumps with a wear time of up to 15 days.
- For insulin pumps with shorter wear times, ARcare® 94220 (≤ 7 day wear) and ARcare® 7261 (≤ 5 day wear) are available options.
Device Bonding Tapes
These double-coated and transfer tapes are used to bond components within a device or to attach the device housing to the skin-contact adhesive. They offer high bond strength to a variety of substrates.
- Products like ARcare® 93691 and ARcare® 94180 are double-coated tapes (DCT) using a scrim carrier for bonding CGMs, insulin pumps, and other wearables.
- ARcare® 93551 is a transfer tape (TT) that provides a thin bonding solution for various wearable devices.
Spacer Tapes for Blood Glucose Monitors (BGM)
Spacer tapes are used to create the precise channel in blood glucose test strips into which a blood sample is drawn. They offer highly uniform thickness.
- The range includes acrylic PSAs like ARcare® 8939, ARcare® 90445Q, and ARcare® 92712.
- A heat-seal adhesive option, ARcare® 92848, is also available.
Hydrophilic Tapes for BGMs
Hydrophilic tapes are used as cover tapes on test strips. Their surface is treated to attract water, which helps guide the blood sample quickly and consistently into the test channel.
- This range includes heat-sealable options like ARflow® 93234 and ARflow® 93361.
- Acrylic PSA versions such as ARflow® 93049 and a hydrophilic coating option, ARflow® 93025, are also available for BGM cover tape applications.
UV Curable Liquid Adhesives
For general bonding and sealing within a device, UV curable liquid adhesives offer a versatile solution.
- ARcare® A-5490 is a low-residual UV curable adhesive with a viscosity of 6,000 cps. It is suitable for bonding a wide range of materials including PC, PVC, ABS, and PET, making it ideal for CGM and insulin pump assembly.
To learn more about these technologies and how they apply to your project, review the Adhesives Research Diabetes Care page.
