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Adhesive & surface guide

Matching adhesive type to surface energy, texture, temperature and removability.

5 min read

Surface energy decides the adhesive

High-energy surfaces such as steel, aluminium and glass accept almost any permanent acrylic. Low-energy plastics such as polypropylene, polyethylene and powder-coated finishes need a high-tack or rubber-based adhesive to bond reliably.

Texture and curvature

Rough, dimpled or curved surfaces reduce the contact area. Use a thicker, more conformable face material with a high-tack adhesive, and keep the label small enough that its edges do not lift.

Temperature at the point of application

An adhesive rated to +150C in service may still need to be applied above +10C. Cold application is the most common reason a correctly specified label peels within days.

  • Permanent acrylic: general-purpose, most industrial assets
  • High-tack: low-energy plastics, textured powder coat
  • Removable: rental equipment, temporary inspection tags
  • Destructible / tamper-evident: security and warranty sealing

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