Applicable Base Polymer Properties
Styrene block copolymers (SBCs) offer cohesion, strength, and heat resistance for both pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs) and non-pressure sensitive adhesives. The styrene phase forms a physically crosslinked network in the adhesive at room temperature. Of the SBCs, styrene-isoprene-styrene (SIS) is most often used in hot melt PSAs. SIS polymers are generally preferred over styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) polymers for hot melt adhesives because the SIS polymers provide a higher level of tack and are less likely to form gels during processing.