Glossary of Product Properties and Test Parameters

This glossary contains descriptionriptions of key material properties, so that the user can better understand the products capabilities and limitations.

It is important to note that not all products are necessarily tested agains the same conditons, as they are not all necessarily relevant to either the product or the application

Tag NameDescription
Adhesion StrengthAdhesion is the bond strength measurement of a coating to a substrate. When an adhesive is bonded to an item or surface, numerous physical, mechanical and chemical forces come into play, which may have an effect on each other.
Adhesive LayerA layer that is applied to one surface or both to bind items together and resist their separation
Adhesive ThicknessAdhesive thickness indicates the thickness of an adhesive layer. It refers to the adhesive thickness of a single side so for double sided tapes it always needs to be multiplied.
Air PermeabilityThe air permeability of a fabric is a measure of how well it allows the passage of air through it.
Alloy CompositionComposition of the alloy material
Alloy TypeA metallic element type
Aluminum (Al)Aluminium is a metallic element with a silvery-white, soft nonmagnetic, ductile elements that has a melting point of 660.3 C
Antimony (Sb)Antimony is a lustrous gray metalloid found in batteries, low friction metals, cable sheating and among other products
AppearanceAppearance at room temperature.
Arc ResistanceASTM-D495 expresses arc resistance as the number of seconds that a material resists forming a surface-conducting path when exposed to a high-voltage, low-current arc occurring intermittently. Results obtained from a nominal 3 mm thickness are meant to represent the material’s reaction in any thickness.
Auto CSV GenerationCSV (comma-separated values) is a simple data file for spreadsheet software.
Auto ignition temperature
Auto PDF GenerationPDF (Portable Document Format) will convert a generated document into a pdf file
Barcol Hardness (Type 935)
Basis WeightBasis weight refers to the weight measured in pounds off 500 sheets of paper in that paper’s basic sheet size.
Battery Included
Battery TypeSpecific types of battery that can vary from Nickel Cadmium, Nickel-Metal Hydride, Lead Acid Battery, Lithium Ion battery and more.
Benzene Adsorption
Bismuth (Bi)Bismuth is a chemical element with symbol Bi and atomic number 83. Bismuth is the most naturally diamagnetic element, and has one of the lowest values of thermal conductivity among metals.
Boiling PointThe amount of degree’s needed to reach in order to make the substance boil.
Breakdown VoltageBreakdown voltage is the minimum voltage necessary to force an insulator to conduct some amount of electricity. It is the point at which a material ceases to be an insulator and becomes a resistor that  conducts electricity at some proportion of the total current.  After dielectric breakdown, the material may or may not behave as an insulator any more because of the molecular structure alteration. The current flow tend to create a localised puncture that totally alters the dielectric properties of the material. This electrical property is thickness dependent and is the maximum amount of voltage that a dielectric material can withstand before breaking down. The breakdown voltage is calculated by multiplying the dielectric strength of the material times the thickness of the film.
CertificationsConfirmation of tested functions, characteristics of a product.
Chemistry Type
Chloride (Cl-)The amount of Chloride (Cl-) ion extracted from the product in parts per million (ppm)
Chromium (Cr)Chemical element with a steely-grey, hard and brittle metal, resists tarnishing and has a high melting point.
Coating Thickness
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE), α1CTE α1 (alpha 1) is the slope of the Coefficient of thermal expansion in a temperature range below the Glass transition temperature (Tg). It explains how much a material will expand until it reaches Tg.
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE), α2CTE α2 (alpha 2) is the slope of the Coefficient of thermal expansion in a temperature range above the Glass transition temperature (Tg). It explains the extent to which a material will expand after it passes Tg.
ColorThe color
Compression Pressure
Conductivity
Connection InterfaceIs an interface between two pieces of equipments that functions such as passing messages, connecting and disconnecting, etc.
Copper (Cu)Copper is a soft malleable and ductile metal with a very high thermal and electrical conductivity.
Copper (Cu)
Cure Temperature
Cure Time
Cure Type
Curing Time @ 150°C / 302°F
Curing Time @ 175°C / 347°F
Curing Time @ 175°C / 347°F (Automold)
Curing Time @ 175°C / 347°F (Conventional Mold)
Curing Time @ 190°C / 374°F
Curing Time @ 190°C / 374°F (Automold)
Curing Time @ 210°C / 410°F
Cut Through Temperaturethe thermal resistance temperature/ durability
CVCMCollected Volatile Condensable Materials
Data Storage CapacityThe amount of readings that can be stored in the device
Decomposition Temperature
DensityVolumetric mass per unit
Density (g)
Diameter
Dielectric Constant @ 1000 kHz
Dielectric Constant @ 150 ˚C/1 kHz
Dielectric Constant @ 150 ˚C/100 kHz
Dielectric Constant @ 23 ˚C/1 kHz
Dielectric Constant @ 23 ˚C/10 kHz
Dielectric Constant @ 23 ˚C/100 kHz
Dielectric Constant @ 25 ˚C/100 kHz
Dielectric Constant @ 25 ˚C/1000 kHz
Dielectric StrengthDielectric strength is measured in kV per mm and is calculated by the Breakdown voltage divided by the thickness of the tested material. Those two properties go hand in hand and while Breakdown voltage is always thickness dependent, dielectric strength is a general material property. As an example, the dielectric strength of Polyimide is 236 kV/mm. If we place 1mm of Polyimide between two electrodes, it will act as an insulator until the voltage between the electrodes reaches 236 kV. At this point it will start acting as a good conductor, causing sparks, potential punctures and current flow.
Dispense rateDispense rate is the amount of material that can be dispense from a nozzle in a specified time period. Please consult the TDS for the exact measurement conditions.
Dissipation Factor @ 23°C /1 kHz
Dissipation Factor @ 23°C /10 kHz
Dissipation Factor @ 23°C /100 kHz
Dissipation Factor @ 25°C /100 kHz
Dissipation Factor @ 25°C /1000 kHz
Dissipation Factor @ Imc
Durometer (Shore 00)
Durometer (Shore A)
Durometer (Shore D)
Edge Coverage
Electrical ResistivityIs an intrinsic property that quantifies how strongly a given material opposes the flow of electric current
ElongationElongation is the process of lengthening something. It is a percentage that measures the initial, unstressed, length compared to the length of the material right before it breaks. It is commonly referred to as Ultimate Elongation or Tensile Elongation at break.
Eutectic Melting TemperatureEutectic melting temperature is the precise temperature point at which an alloy turns from pure solid to liquid. Eutectic alloys are unique. They do not have a Solidus / Liquidus melting range but they have a single temperature point at which the alloy immediately becomes liquid and vice versa.
Evaporation Rate
Fabric ThicknessDetermines the thickness accurately and conveniently of the fabric
Filler Content
Filler Size Cut
Film ThicknessFilm thickness is the thickness of a backing film without taking into account any coatings or adhesive layers. It is measured in micron and the conversion factor to mil is 0.039.
Film Thickness
Flash PointThe flashpoint of a solvent is the lowest possible temperature at which it can vaporize to form an ignitable vapor. Flashpoint is often confused with “autoignition temperature”, which is the temperature at which a solvent ignites without an ignition source.
Flexural Modulus @ 21°CFlexural Modulus taken at 21°C
Flexural Modulus @ 220°CFlexural Modulus taken at 220°C
Flexural Modulus @ 25°C
Flexural Modulus @ 260°CFlexural Modulus taken at 260°C
Flexural Strength @ 21°C
Flexural Strength @ 220°CFlexural strength, also known as modulus of rupture, or bend strength, or transverse rupture strength is a material property, defined as the stress in a material just before it yields in a flexure test. This is the flexural strength tested at Room Temperature, 220°C
Flexural Strength @ 240°CFlexural strength, also known as modulus of rupture, or bend strength, or transverse rupture strength is a material property, defined as the stress in a material just before it yields in a flexure test. This is the flexural strength tested at Room Temperature, 240°C
Flexural Strength @ 25°CFlexural strength, also known as modulus of rupture, or bend strength, or transverse rupture strength is a material property, defined as the stress in a material just before it yields in a flexure test. This is the flexural strength tested at Room Temperature, 25°C
Flexural Strength @ 260°CFlexural strength, also known as modulus of rupture, or bend strength, or transverse rupture strength is a material property, defined as the stress in a material just before it yields in a flexure test. This is the flexural strength tested at Room Temperature, 260°C
Functionality
Gel Time @ 121°C / 250°F
Gel Time @ 160°C / 320°F
Gel Time @ 175°C / 347°F
Gel Time @ 177°C / 351°F
Gel Time @ 200°C / 392°F
Glass Plate FlowGlass plate flow determines the flow distance of thermosetting epoxies, resins or coating powders on a smooth inclined glass surface in a certain time and temperature. This value is the distance in millimetres from the upper point of the original position of the pellet to the point of extreme flow. Typically measured at 150°C but please check the TDS for more info
Glass Transition Temperature (Tg)The glass transition temperature for organic adhesives is a temperature region where the polymers change from glassy and brittle to soft and rubbery. Increasing the temperature further continues the softening process as the viscosity drops too. Temperatures between the glass transition temperature and below the decomposition point of the adhesive are the best region for bonding. The glass-transition temperature Tg of a material characterizes the range of temperatures over which this glass transition occurs.
Heat Distortion TemperatureThe temperaturea t which a polymer or plastic sample deforms under a specified load
Heat Seal Pressure
Heat Seal Temperature
Heat Seal Time
Heat Sealable
Hot Hardness, Shore D @ 175°C
Impact Strength
Indium (In)Indium is a chemical element with the symbol In and atomic number 49. Indium is the softest metal that is not considered to be an alkali metal. It is a silvery-white metal that resembles tin in appearance.
Iodine Adsorption
Ion Exchange Capacity (IEC)Ion-exchange capacity measures the ability of a material to undergo displacement of ions, previously attached into its structure, by oppositely charged ions. It is measured as the quantity of ions that can pass through a specific volume and a common unit is eq/L. In the case of an Ion-exchange polymer, it represents the total of active sites or functional groups responsible for the exchange and is the theoretical maximum amount of ions that we can load.
Iron (Fe)A chemical element with a melting point of 1,538 C
Lead (Pb)
Lead (Pb)
Length
Liquidus Melting TemperatureLiquidus, is the temperature point at which an alloy becomes completely liquid.
Loss modulus peak @ DMA
Magnesium (Mg)
Melting temperature
Mix RatioThe amount of a constituent divided by the total amount of all other constituents in a mixture
Moisture absorption
Mold Temperature
Molded Shrinkage
Molecular weight
MSL Level
Nickel (Ni)
Number of Bags
Number of Uses
Oil Contact AngleThe contact angle is the angle, conventionally measure trough the liquid, where a liquid-vapor interface meets a solid surface.
Operating Temperature
Particle Size thru 325 mesh
Particle Size thru 80 mesh
PermittivityIn electromagnetism, the absolute permittivity, often simply called permittivity and denoted by the Greek letter ε, is a measure of the electric polarizability of a dielectric.
PermselectivityPermselectivity is the term used to define the preferential permeation of certain ionic species through ion-exchange membranes. The permselectivity of a membrane is determined by the ratio of the flux of specific components to the total mass flux through the membrane under a given driving force.
pH of extract
PorosityVoid fraction is a measure of the void spaces in a material
Post Mold Cure @ 150°C / 302°F
Post Mold Cure @ 175°C / 347°F
Pot LifePot life is the amount of time it takes for the viscosity of a material to double (or quadruple for lower viscosity materials) in room temperature after a material is mixed. It is closely related to work life but it is not application dependent, less precise and more of a general indication of how fast a system is going to cure.
Potassium (K)
Potassium (K+)The amount of Potassium (K+) ion extracted from the product in parts per million (ppm)
Preheat Temperature
Process Method
Recording Cycle
Recording Interval
Refractive indexThe refractive index determines how much the path of light is bent, or refracted, when entering a material. It is calculated by taking into account the velocity of light in vacuum compared to the velocity of light in the material. The refractive index calculation can be affected by the wavelength of light and the temperature of the material. Even though it is usually reported on standard wavelengths it is advised to check the TDS for the precise test parameters.
Release LinerA paper or plastic-based film sheet used to prevent a sticky surface from prematurely adhering
Reprogrammable
RoHS CompliantRoHS is a product level compliance based on a European Union Directive which restricts the Use of certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS). Products compliant with this directive do not exceed the allowable amounts of the following restricted materials: lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), with some limited exemptions
Shear Strength
Shear Strength @25°C
Shear Strength @250°C
Shelf Life @ -20°C
Shelf Life @ -4°C
Shelf Life @ -40°C
Shelf Life @ 15°C
Shelf Life @ 25°C
Shelf Life @ 4.5°C
Shelf Life @ 5°C
Shots
Silicon Dioxide(SiO2)
Silver (Ag)
Single or Double-Sided AdhesiveDescribes whether a tape is single- or double-sided. If it is single-sided, it has adhesive only on one side of the backing film. If it is double-sided, then it has adhesive on both sides of the backing film.
Sodium (Na)
Sodium (Na+)The amount of Sodium (Na+) ion extracted from the product in parts per million (ppm)
Software
Solids
Solidus Melting TemperatureSolidus is the temperature point at which a completely solid alloy starts melting and becoming softer.
Special Layer
Special Layer Thickness
Special Properties
Specific GravitySpecific gravity (SG) is the ratio of the density of a substance to the density of a reference substance; equivalently, it is the ratio of the mass of a substance to the mass of a reference substance for the same given volume. For liquids, the reference substance is almost always water (1), while for gases, it is air (1.18) at room temperature. Specific gravity is unitless.
Specific Gravity 250°C
Specific Heat CapacitySpecific heat capacity is the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of a substance per unit of mass. The specific heat capacity of a material is a physical property. It is also an example of an extensive property since its value is proportional to the size of the system being examined.
Specific Surface Area (BET)
Spheroid ToleranceThe allowed % that a solder ball (solder sphere) can divert from being perfectly round and spherical. We take one lot of solder spheres and divide it into 4 smaller lots. Each lot is then checked with advanced visual inspection systems. If even 1 ball is out of spec, the entire batch is scrapped and reworked!
Spiral Flow @ 175°C
Startup Mode
Stop Mode
Storage (DMA) Modulus @ -65°C
Storage (DMA) Modulus @ 100°C
Storage (DMA) Modulus @ 175°C
Storage (DMA) Modulus @ 200°C
Storage (DMA) Modulus @ 25°C
Storage (DMA) Modulus @ 260°C
Storage Temperature
Surface Resistivity
System
Tan δ peak @ DMA
Tear ResistanceTear resistance (or tear strength) is a measure of how well a material can withstand the effects of tearing.
Temperature Accuracy
Temperature Range
Temperature ResistanceTemperature resistance is the maximum temperature that the material or product can withstand for a period of time. The temperatures listed should be considered as guidelines for an operating temperature of about 30 minutes. Typically, the material can withstand much longer times at temperatures about 20°C lower and can withstand much higher temperatures for short, intermittent times.
Temperature Resolution
Tensile Modulus @ 21°C
Tensile Modulus @-65°C
Tensile Modulus @100°C
Tensile Modulus @150°C
Tensile Modulus @200°C
Tensile Modulus @25°C
Tensile Modulus @250°C
Tensile Modulus @300°C
Tensile StrengthTensile strength determines the resistance of a material to break under tension and it measures how much elongating load (or tensile stress) it can handle before fracture. To make it simple, it measures how much force we have to apply when pulling apart a material before it breaks.
Tensile Strength (Thin Film)Tensile strength determines the resistance of a material to break under tension and it measures how much elongating load (or tensile stress) it can handle before fracture. To make it simple, it measures how much force we have to apply when pulling apart a material before it breaks.
Tensile Strength @ 21°C
Thermal ConductivityThermal conductivity describes the ability of a material to conduct heat. It is required by power packages in order to dissipate heat and maintain stable electrical performance. Thermal conductivity units are [W/(m K)] in the SI system and [Btu/(hr ft °F)] in the Imperial system.
Thermal Impedance
Thickness range
Thixotropic indexThixotropic Index is a ratio of a material s viscosity at two different speeds in Ambient temperature, generally different by a factor of ten. A thixotropic material s viscosity will decrease as agitation or pressure is increased. It indicates the capability of a material to hold its shape. Mayonnaise is a great example of this. It holds its shape very well, but when a shear stress is applied, the material easily spreads. It helps in choosing a material in accordance to the application, dispense method and viscosity of a material.
Through Plane ResistivityResistance of the amount of current through a material
Tin (Sn)
TMLTotal Mass Loss
Total ThicknessTotal thickness is taking into account all the films, coatings, adhesives, release liners and special layers and is the maximum thickness of a film or tape.
TP ResistanceOpposition to the flow of electric current.
Transfer Pressure
Transfer Pressure
Transfer Time
UL 94 RatingFlammability rating classification. It determines how fast a material burns or extinguishes once it is ignited. HB: slow burning on a horizontal specimen; burning rate less than 76 mm/min for thickness less than 3 mm or burning stops before 100 mm V-2: burning stops within 30 seconds on a vertical specimen; drips of flaming particles are allowed. V-1: burning stops within 30 seconds on a vertical specimen; drips of particles allowed as long as they are not inflamed. V-0: burning stops within 10 seconds on a vertical specimen; drips of particles allowed as long as they are not inflamed. 5VB: burning stops within 60 seconds on a vertical specimen; no drips allowed; plaque specimens may develop a hole. 5VA: burning stops within 60 seconds on a vertical specimen; no drips allowed; plaque specimens may not develop a hole
Vapor Density
Vapor Pressure
ViscosityViscosity is a measurement of a fluid’s resistance to flow. Viscosity is commonly measured in centiPoise (cP). One cP is defined as the viscosity of water and all other viscosities are derived from this base. MPa is another common unit with a 1:1 conversion to cP. A product like honey would have a much higher viscosity -around 10,000 cPs- compared to water. As a result, honey would flow much slower out of a tipped glass than water would. The viscosity of a material can be decreased with an increase in temperature in order to better suit an application
Visible Light Transmission
VOC-Free (100% solids content)VOC means Volatile Organic compound. VOCs are evaporating molecules and are literally everywhere around us. Our scents are volatile organic compounds, most of the things that we smell are VOC etc. So what do we mean when we state that a product is VOC free? A VOC free product, according to the FTC is one where: 1)VOCs have not been intentionally added to the product. 2)The presence of VOCs at that level does not cause material harm that consumers typically associate with VOCs, including but not limited to, harm to the environment or human health. 3)The presence of VOCs at that level does not result in concentrations higher than would be found at background levels in the ambient air.
Voltage loss
Volume ResistivityVolume resistivity, also called volume resistance, bulk resistance or bulk resistivity is a thickness dependent measurement of the resistivity of a material perpendicular to the plane of the surface.
Water Absorption
Water Contact Angle
Water Extract Conductivity
Water Extract pH
Weight Loss @ 300°C
Width
Work life @25°CWork life is the amount of time we have to work with a material until it is no longer able to be easily worked and applied on a substrate. It is based on the change in viscosity and it can rely on the application requirements.