Radiation-cured rubber-based pressure-sensitive adhesive

A radiation-curable rubber-based pressure-sensitive adhesive which comprises at least one elastomeric rubber-based pressure-sensitive adhesive comprising a block copolymer selected from the group consisting of styrene-butadiene-styrene, styrene-isoprene-styrene, styrene-butadiene and styrene-isoprene block copolymers and mixtures thereof and a polythiol crosslinking agent present in a positive amount up to about 10% by weight based on the weight of the rubber-based pressure-sensitive adhesive and polythiol.

A radiation-cured rubber-based pressure-sensitive adhesive which comprises at least one elastomeric rubber-based pressure-sensitive adhesive formed of a tackified elastomer comprising a block copolymer selected from the group consisting of styrene-butadiene-styrene, styrene-isoprene-styrene, styrene-butadiene and styrene-isoprene block copolymers and mixtures thereof which is cured by electron-beam radiation at a level up to about 100 kGy in the presence of a functional polythiol crosslinking agent present in an amount up to about 10% by weight based on the weight of the pressure-sensitive adhesive and the polythiol, said electromeric rubber-based pressure-sensitive adhesive exhibiting following cure a 70.degree. C. shear greater than 86.4 kiloseconds with minimal change in the ambient temperature properties of 180.degree. peel and loop tack of said rubber-based pressure-sensitive adhesive relative to the properties of the same rubber-based pressure-sensitive adhesive cured in the absence of said polythiol.

A radiation-cured rubber-based pressure-sensitive adhesive which comprises at least one elastomeric rubber-based pressure-sensitive adhesive comprising a block copolymer selected from the group consisting of styrene-butadiene-styrene, styrene-butadiene, styrene-isoprene-styrene, styrene-isoprene and mixtures thereof and cured by ultraviolet radiation in the presence of a photoinitiator and a functional polythiol crosslinking agent present in an amount up to about 10% by weight based on the weight of the rubber-based pressure-sensitive adhesive and polythiol.

A process for improving the high-temperature properties of rubber-based pressure-sensitive adhesives which comprising subjecting a rubber-based pressure sensitive adhesive comprising a block copolymer selected from the group consisting of styrene-butadiene-styrene, styrene-isoprene-styrene, styrene-butadiene and styrene-isoprene block copolymers and mixtures thereof which is the action of electron-beam radiation, in the presence of a polythiol crosslinking agent, said polythiol being present in an amount up to about 10% by weight based on the weight of the pressure-sensitive adhesive, at a dosage level sufficient to increase 70% shear of the pressure-sensitive adhesive with minimal change in ambient temperature properties of 180.degree. peel and loop tack relative to such properties of said pressure-sensitive adhesive cured in the absence of said polythiol.

A process for improving the high-temperature properties of rubber-based pressure-sensitive adhesives comprising a block copolymer selected from the group consisting of styrene-butadiene-styrene, styrene-isoprene-styrene, styrene-butadiene and styrene-isoprene block copolymers and mixtures thereof, which comprises subjecting a rubber-based pressure-sensitive adhesive, comprising at least one rubber-based pressure-sensitive adhesive formed of a tackified elastomer which is responsive to the action of ultraviolet radiation, in the presence of a photoiniator and polythiol crosslinking agent, present in an amount up to about 10% by weight based on the weight of the pressure-sensitive adhesive, at a dosage level sufficient to increase the 70.degree. C. shear of the pressure-sensitive adhesive with minimal change in the ambient temperature properties of 180.degree. shear and loop tack of said rubber-based pressure-sensitive adhesive cured in the absence of said polythiol.