This dissertation focuses on the development and application of eco-friendly pressure-sensitive adhesives for surface protection films in architectural interior and exterior materials. The objective of this study is to develop an eco-friendly, water-b...
This dissertation focuses on the development and application of eco-friendly pressure-sensitive adhesives for surface protection films in architectural interior and exterior materials. The objective of this study is to develop an eco-friendly, water-based emulsion-type surface protection adhesive film that satisfies the adhesive performance characteristics—such as adhesion strength, weather resistance, and heat resistance—of conventional solvent-based acrylic and rubber-based pressure-sensitive adhesive products. Surface protection pressure-sensitive adhesive films are widely used across various industries, including the automotive, construction, packaging, home appliance, and shipbuilding sectors, and are required to exhibit a wide range of properties depending on their specific applications. A high-performance polyethylene (PE) film with superior mechanical properties was developed in combination with a waterborne acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA). For high tensile strength and elongation, functional PE resins were used as the base material, and extrusion tests were conducted by varying the types and contents of master batches (M.B.). Experimental results showed that when using BF415 (LDPE) resin with white M.B. (for UV blocking) and black M.B. (for heat and moisture resistance), the contamination resistance of the film improved. As the M.B. content increased, the haze value also increased, which enhanced UV resistance but reduced elongation. To address this trade-off, films produced using BO1401EN (mLLDPE) resin exhibited the best mechanical properties, with tensile strengths of 16.9 N (MD) and 14.9 N (TD), and elongations of 530 % (MD) and 663 % (TD), respectively. Furthermore, surface treatment optimization tests revealed that a corona discharge intensity of 6 A provided the most favorable surface energy (56 dyne/cm) and minimized surface damage. For the development of an eco-friendly waterborne acrylic PSA with excellent adhesion and contamination resistance, emulsion polymerization experiments were conducted by varying the type and content of functional acrylic monomers. Using n-butyl acrylate (BA) as the main monomer, and acrylic acid (AA) as the functional monomer, it was observed that increasing AA content improved adhesion but reduced weather and moisture resistance. To balance these properties, secondary monomers such as methyl methacrylate (MMA), cyclohexyl methacrylate (CHMA), styrene (St), acrylonitrile (AN), and butyl methacrylate (BMA) were investigated. Among the various formulations, the composition of BA/MMA/BMA/AA = 82/12/5/1 demonstrated optimal performance, showing a peel strength of 0.59 N/10 mm, excellent heat resistance (150 °C for 18 min), and stable weather and humidity resistance (7 days at 23 °C, 90 %RH). In conclusion, the combination of BO1401EN-based PE film and the BA/MMA/BMA/AA (82/12/5/1) acrylic emulsion adhesive exhibited outstanding mechanical and adhesive properties suitable for architectural interior and exterior protective films. The developed system provides comparable performance to solvent-based adhesives while ensuring environmental sustainability, thus demonstrating high potential for practical industrial applications.