Effect of temperature and humidity on mechanical properties and constitutive modeling of pressure-sensitive adhesives

Abstract

Abstract Pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) are crucial for the structural and functional integrity of flexible displays. Investigating the intricate mechanical properties of PSAs can help enhance product quality and performance. This study conducts systematic mechanical tests, including uniaxial tensile, compression, planar shear, and stress relaxation, on PSAs at temperatures ranging from – 25 to 85 ℃ and relative humidity levels from 0 to 90%. Our findings reveal that the Anssari-Benam model accurately describes the hyperelastic behavior of PSA materials under large deformation, outperforming the Ogden model by requiring fewer parameters and better preserving convexity. Moreover the results show that temperature markedly affects PSA properties, particularly near the glass transition temperature (Tg), with lower temperatures leading to decreased elasticity and higher temperatures aiding in stress relaxation. Similarly, humidity impacts PSA behavior, increasing elasticity and decreasing stiffness, especially noticeable in stress relaxation tests. These findings highlight the substantial influence of environmental conditions on the material properties of PSAs and underscore the necessity of understanding both hyperelastic and viscoelastic responses for their application in flexible technologies. This research provides critical insights for the optimal utilization of PSAs in the rapidly evolving field of flexible electronics, including OLED displays.