Pressure-sensitive adhesive based on partially oriented and partially crystallized elastomer

A process for preparing a pressure-sensitive adhesive article comprising a substrate and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer thereon, wherein the pressure-sensitive adhesive comprises a partially oriented and partially crystallized elastomer, which process comprises providing a normally solid elastomer capable of strain-induced crystallization, masticating said elastomer, optionally, blending said masticated elastomer with a tack-inducing additive, heating said masticated elastomer, shaping said masticated and heated elastomer to induce partial orientation therein, depositing said shaped elastomer on a substrate, and cooling said shaped elastomer to a temperature below the melt temperature of the partially oriented elastomer at a rate so as to induce partial crystallization and maintain said partial orientation in said elastomer induced by the strain of said shaping.

A process of bonding one or more substrates or objects, which process comprises applying to the surfaces thereof a pressure-sensitive adhesive comprising a partially oriented and partially crystallized elastomer, wherein partial orientation in said elastomer is displaved when measured by optical birefringence, infrared dichroism or x-ray diffraction and partial crystallization in said elastomer is displayed when measured by differential scanning colorimetry or x-ray diffraction.

A process of transferring one or more objects from one location to another location, which process comprises applying to the surfaces of said objects a pressure-sensitive adhesive article comprising a substrate and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer thereon, wherein the pressure-sensitive adhesive article comprises a partially oriented and partially crystallized elastomer, wherein partial orientation in said elastomer is displayed when measured by optical birefringence, infrared dichroism or x-ray diffraction and partial crystallization in said elastomer is displayed when measured by differential scanning colorimetry or x-ray diffraction, said substrate is a backing, and said pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is coated on said backing, and transferring the resulting loaded product to the other location.