PSTC History
PSTC HISTORY
1950s
- Founded by seven companies in 1953 to promote the manufacture of tape products high in quality and performance.
- Published first Test Methods manual in 1955 with eight methods – 180° peel; shear holding; unwind; tensile; elongation; thickness; moisture vapor transmission rate; and water penetration.
- Commissioned custom design engineering shop to build laboratory test equipment.
- Worked closely with other standards organizations toward consistency in tape measurement and testing.
- Held first technical committee meeting in 1966.
- Published articles on tape fundamentals as part of consumer education program.
- Produced first Tape Products Directory in 1969.
- Presented first technical paper (“Another Look at Peel Adhesion” by John Johnston) in 1973, setting the stage for future PSTC technical conferences.
- Significant issues faced the industry – OSHA and EPA formation, the U.S. oil shortage and reduced availability of raw materials.
- Tape researchers work long hours to redesign effective adhesives.
- Held first U.S. hot melt technical paper seminar in March of 1975.
- Solvent-free high-speed coating using block co-polymers becomes major industry advancement in 1975.
- Held first open technical seminar on water-based systems in 1978.
- Worked with EPA in generating data and offering alternative methods to the “bubble concept” over each coating head to control air emissions.
- Expanded technical seminar topics to include operational issues and personal productivity sessions.
- Offered first tape training class in 1990, which evolves into the Tape University series.
- Launched its global technical seminar in 1992, now held every third year.
- Celebrated “50 Years of Advancing Pressure Sensitive Tapes” in 2003.
- Worked with EPA on the air regulation rule, Paper and Other Web Coating Maximum Achievable Control Technology (P&OWC MACT).
- Published second edition of Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Tapes – A Guide to their Function, Design, Manufacture, and Use by John Johnston in 2003.
- Introduced third Tape University class (basics for non-technical staff) in 2005.
- Continues to publish annual Tape Products Directory providing listings of the products manufactured and marketed internationally by 25 PSTC member companies.
- Formed the Alliance for Excellence in Tape Testing with Chemsultants International in 2005.
- Launched on-line library of technical seminar papers in 2005.
- Received ISO approval on test methods 101, 107 and 131 (peel, shear and breaking strength).
- Released North American PSA tape volume research study results to members.