| HS Code | 641485 |
| Softening Point Ring Ball | 100 °C |
| Glass Transition Temperature | 50 °C |
| Melt Viscosity At 150 C | 120 mPa·s |
| Melt Viscosity At 175 C | 30 mPa·s |
| Color Gardner | 1 |
| Color Pt Co | 50 |
| Number Average Molecular Weight | 400 g/mol |
| Weight Average Molecular Weight | 700 g/mol |
| Acid Value | <1 mg KOH/g |
| Density At 20 C | 1.04 g/cm³ |
| Flash Point Cleveland Open Cup | 210 °C |
| Refractive Index | 1.55 |
As an accredited Low-Viscosity Kristalex 3100LV Hydrocarbon Resin for PSA factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | Supplied as pastilles in 25 kg multi-wall paper bags, with palletized and stretch-wrapped options for safe transport. |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | 20′ FCL loading: palletized bags of Kristalex 3100LV hydrocarbon resin, secured and wrapped, protected from moisture and damage. |
| Shipping | Shipped as solid pellets in multi-ply paper bags or super sacks, palletized and wrapped for protection. Store in a cool, dry, ventilated area away from heat and oxidizers. Minimize dust, ground containers against static discharge, and handle gently to prevent bag damage. Not regulated as hazardous cargo. |
| Storage | Store Kristalex 3100LV in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight, heat, and ignition sources. Keep containers tightly sealed to prevent contamination and moisture pickup. Avoid prolonged storage above 50°C to maintain resin properties. Use within manufacturer’s recommended shelf life for optimal PSA performance. |
| Shelf Life | Shelf life is typically two years from manufacture when stored in original, unopened containers in a cool, dry area away from heat and sunlight. |
In hot-melt pressure-sensitive adhesive compounding based on styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer (SIS), Kristalex 3100LV is metered into the melt after the elastomer has reached a plasticized state. Feed order is SIS in the main hopper, naphthenic oil injection at barrel 3, and Kristalex 3100LV side-stuffed at barrel 5 on a 40:1 L/D co-rotating twin-screw extruder. Screw speed is held between 250 rpm and 350 rpm. Melt temperature is maintained at 150°C to 170°C. A representative starting formulation contains 100 phr SIS, 100 phr Kristalex 3100LV, 20 phr naphthenic oil, and 1.0 phr hindered phenolic antioxidant. Coating is performed through a slot die with 0.25 mm lip gap at 25 g/m² to 35 g/m² on 36 µm PET. Under ASTM D3330, 180° peel on stainless steel after 24 h dwell typically ranges from 18 N/25 mm to 26 N/25 mm. Loop tack per ASTM D6195 remains above 20 N/25 mm when resin loading is below 120 phr. Shear adhesion failure time at 1 kg per 25 mm square according to ASTM D3654 drops from 72 h to 10 h as resin loading moves from 80 phr to 140 phr. In the bulk melter, residence time above 4 h at 170°C under air increases Gardner color from 0.5 to 3.0 units. Nitrogen blanketing is required on melt tanks above 500 L capacity.
At styrene contents below 15 wt%, Kristalex 3100LV partitions largely into the polyisoprene midblock. Above 30 wt% styrene, the resin associates with the styrenic end-block domains. Differential scanning calorimetry per ISO 11357-2 shows a single resin-rich glass transition near 55°C at 20 wt% total resin. A second end-block transition above 80°C appears when aromatic resin loading surpasses 35 wt% of the total formula. The two-phase structure raises shear holding power but reduces wet-out on structured surfaces. On a production scale, the phase boundary appears as a loss of clarity when adhesive thickness exceeds 50 µm. Below 25 µm, the film remains water-clear. The compatibility window narrows when aliphatic process oil exceeds 15 phr because the oil swells the midblock and forces aromatic resin into the end-block regions. This is observed as a brittle boundary layer at the corona-treated PET interface, recorded as zippery peel and adhesive transfer under ASTM D3330. The corrective measure is to pre-mix the resin and oil in a static mixer before injection, not to increase mixing shear.
| Standard / regulation | Property / scope | Test condition or clause | Application limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASTM D3330 | 180° peel adhesion of pressure-sensitive tape | Stainless steel panel, 24 h dwell | Use to bracket 80 phr to 140 phr loading |
| ASTM D6195 | Loop tack of PSA | Stainless steel, 300 mm/min jaw speed | Threshold above 20 N/25 mm at 100 phr resin |
| ASTM D3654 | Shear adhesion at elevated temperature | 1 kg / 25 mm × 25 mm, 70°C | Track cohesive failure at resin loadings above 120 phr |
| ISO 11357-2 | Glass transition temperature | Nitrogen purge, 10 K/min heating rate | Detect dual-phase formation above 35 wt% resin |
| FDA 21 CFR 175.105 | Indirect food contact adhesives | Final formulation control | Verify grade clearance in final adhesive; not a blanket approval |
| EU REACH 1907/2006 Annex XVII | Restricted monomers and impurities | Batch certificate and SDS review | Limit residual aromatic monomer as per supplier certificate |
Solvent-borne acrylic PSAs used in laser die-cut labels are reformulated with 15 phr to 30 phr Kristalex 3100LV on dry polymer solids. The resin is dissolved in toluene or ethyl acetate before addition to the acrylic solution. Direct solid addition creates localized gel particles above 30 phr. Drawdown on glassine release liner at 52 g/m² coat weight, dried at 100°C for 3 min, gives a wet-out plateau after 24 h on untreated polypropylene. Peel on HDPE increases from 4 N/25 mm to 7 N/25 mm at 20 phr loading according to ASTM D3330. Opacity remains below 2% for dry films thinner than 25 µm. Above this thickness, QUV-B 313 exposure per ASTM G154 produces measurable yellowing after 500 h. Solvent release is slower during oven drying; residual ethyl acetate after 1 min at 110°C is higher by 0.2 wt% to 0.5 wt% when measured by headspace GC per ASTM D4526. A three-zone oven with 70°C, 90°C, and 110°C settings prevents blisters at coat weights above 60 g/m².
Coating on 20 µm LDPE film requires the melt temperature to stay below 135°C to limit thermal shrinkage. Kristalex 3100LV is selected over standard-viscosity Kristalex grades because it reduces adhesive melt viscosity at 150°C to 1,200 mPa·s to 1,800 mPa·s per ASTM D3236. At 135°C, viscosity rises to approximately 2,500 mPa·s. Gear-pump transfer remains stable at 8 bar to 12 bar backpressure. Slot-die lip gaps below 0.2 mm produce melt fracture at line speeds above 250 m/min. Edge bead instability is recorded when line speed exceeds 300 m/min on 40 µm PET carriers. The lower operating limit is determined by continuous run trials; published data for this specific configuration is limited, so a pilot-web test at 150 mm width is required before full-width conversion. Volatile content of the resin must be below 0.1 wt% to avoid pinholes at these film thicknesses.
Adhesion to untreated polyolefin substrates follows a threshold-controlled wet-out mechanism. Kristalex 3100LV lowers the plateau modulus of SIS adhesives but does not create acid-base interactions with polyolefin surfaces. Peel on untreated PP remains below 12 N/25 mm unless the facestock is corona-treated to a surface energy of at least 38 mN/m per ISO 8296. With 2.0 wt% added aromatic resin, the initial wet-out on textured HDPE improves enough to eliminate air entrapment, but the final peel gain is modest. Production trials on 40 µm HDPE bag stock show that increasing resin from 100 phr to 140 phr raises 180° peel by 4 N/25 mm to 8 N/25 mm after 72 h dwell, while loop tack drops by 6 N/25 mm to 10 N/25 mm. The practical approach is to pair the resin with a liquid rosin ester for low-energy surfaces; the aromatic resin alone does not achieve the required energy match on silicone-treated PE.
| Adhesive melt temperature (°C) | Brookfield viscosity (mPa·s) | Maximum stable line speed (m/min) | Observed coating defect |
|---|---|---|---|
| 130 | 3200–3800 | 80–120 | Edge bead melt fracture |
| 145 | 1800–2200 | 180–220 | None on 36 µm PET |
| 160 | 1000–1300 | 250–300 | Ribbing above 300 m/min |
| 170 | 700–900 | 300 | Resin degradation after 4 h under air |
On cast PP labelstock with 25 µm film thickness, adhesive anchorage must be controlled to prevent liner transfer. Kristalex 3100LV has high aromatic content and low molecular weight; prolonged contact with silicone release chemistry can plasticize the adhesive surface and increase transfer to the liner under unwind tension. A release force test per ASTM D3813 shows an increase from 15 g/25 mm to 35 g/25 mm after 7 days at 50°C when aromatic resin loading exceeds 30 wt%. The mechanism is not silicone migration but migration of low-molecular-weight resin fractions to the poor anchorage layer. A primer or corona treatment at 42 mN/m is required on the film side; otherwise, adhesive transfer is observed in the unwind station. Fogging tests per ISO 6452 at 100°C for 16 h show reflectance loss below 5% for adhesive films thinner than 30 µm. Thicker films exceed 15% reflectance loss, which disqualifies the formulation for automotive interior label applications where OEM limits apply.
Medical patch PSAs based on SIS and hydrogenated tackifiers can be partially reformulated with Kristalex 3100LV only when the final adhesive is tested for extractables under ISO 10993-12. The aromatic resin provides oxidative stability and high-temperature holding power but raises the aromatic extractable fraction in leachables studies. A replacement ratio above 25% of the total tackifier produces a measurable increase in UV-absorbing low-molecular-weight species; this is detected by GC-MS screening. Patch peel on human skin simulant is not the limiting factor; cohesive failure at 37°C under ASTM D3654 improves by 20% to 40% when the replacement is below 25%. Above that ratio, cold flow on release liner increases. Cytotoxicity and sensitization end-points in ISO 10993-5 and ISO 10993-10 must be re-run because the chemical class changes from rosin acid derivatives to aromatic hydrocarbon oligomers. Published data for this specific configuration is limited; final qualification is a project-specific requirement.
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Designation of Low-Viscosity Kristalex 3100LV Hydrocarbon Resin as a low-viscosity pure aromatic hydrocarbon tackifier places it among thermoplastic, water-white resins produced from purified aromatic monomer streams. The grade is intended for pressure-sensitive adhesive compounding where high ring-and-ball softening point, narrow molecular-weight distribution, and reduced molten flow resistance must be maintained simultaneously. Current manufacturer technical data sheets cite a ring-and-ball softening point of 100 °C under ASTM E28 and a Brookfield melt viscosity near 1,000 mPa·s at 150 °C under ASTM D3236. Density is reported in the range 1.06–1.08 g/cm³ at 25 °C under ASTM D792. The resin is characterized by an acid number below 0.1 mg KOH/g under ASTM D974, reflecting the absence of carboxylic functionality found in rosin ester tackifiers. The low-viscosity grade retains the aromatic solubility and thermal characteristics of the standard 3100 grade but exhibits lower molten viscosity at equivalent temperature, a distinction relevant to hot-melt adhesive coaters and high-solids solvent-borne systems.
The low-viscosity attribute is confirmed primarily by molten viscosity at 150 °C under ASTM D3236. The LV grade typically falls in the 900–1,100 mPa·s range, whereas standard aromatic resins with an equivalent 100 °C ring-and-ball softening point often run higher. The viscosity reduction is derived from controlled polymerization that limits the high-molecular-weight oligomer population. Gel-permeation chromatography against polystyrene standards indicates a number-average molecular weight from 700 g/mol to 900 g/mol and a weight-average molecular weight from 1,300 g/mol to 1,700 g/mol. Differential scanning calorimetry under ASTM D3418 generally places the glass transition temperature near 50 °C. Because glass transition and ring-and-ball softening point are relatively close, the resin behaves as a hard glass at room temperature and requires dissolution in solvent or melting for adhesive application.
| Property | Test Method | Typical Published Value or Range |
|---|---|---|
| Ring-and-ball softening point | ASTM E28 | 100 °C |
| Melt viscosity at 150 °C | ASTM D3236 | 900–1,100 mPa·s |
| Density at 25 °C | ASTM D792 | 1.06–1.08 g/cm³ |
| Acid number | ASTM D974 | <0.1 mg KOH/g |
| Glass transition temperature | ASTM D3418 | 45–55 °C |
| Number-average molecular weight | GPC against polystyrene | 700–900 g/mol |
| Weight-average molecular weight | GPC against polystyrene | 1,300–1,700 g/mol |
The table should be used as a screening reference only. Lot-to-lot variation and test-laboratory bias can shift individual values; incoming material qualification should compare the certificate of analysis against these ranges and include measurement of molten viscosity under ASTM D3236 at the user’s specified processing temperature.
In pressure-sensitive adhesive formulation, the grade is evaluated at addition levels of 40–65 wt% in styrenic block copolymer systems such as SIS and SBS. The aromatic character of the resin selectively raises the storage modulus of the styrene-rich domains, which translates into higher shear holding power when tested under ASTM D3654/D3654M. Peel adhesion measured by ASTM D3330/D3330M and loop tack measured by ASTM D6195 follow a nonlinear response. As resin loading increases from 40 wt% to 60 wt%, peel commonly increases, while additional resin can reduce room-temperature tack by raising the adhesive glass transition temperature above the application window. In acrylic PSAs, this resin is used at lower loadings, commonly 10–30 wt%, where it increases high-temperature holding power without excessively stiffening the film. Published data for the exact response surface in every acrylic copolymer is limited; laboratory evaluation on 50 µm dry films and on stainless steel panels under PSTC test conditions is required for each formulation.
| Adhesive Property | Test Method | Typical Test Condition |
|---|---|---|
| 180° peel adhesion | ASTM D3330/D3330M | Stainless steel panel, 24 h dwell, 300 mm/min peel rate |
| Loop tack | ASTM D6195 | Stainless steel plate, 305 mm/min test speed |
| Shear holding power | ASTM D3654/D3654M | 1.0 kg load, 25 mm × 25 mm bond area, stainless steel |
| Heat resistance | ASTM D4498 | Shear mode, 0.5 kg load, controlled temperature ramp |
The differentiation of Kristalex 3100LV from common alternatives is based on three factors. Relative to standard Kristalex 3100, the LV grade lowers ASTM D3236 melt viscosity at equivalent ring-and-ball softening point. Relative to mixed C5/C9 aromatic-aliphatic tackifiers, it provides a more controlled aromatic content, which increases compatibility with styrenic block copolymers and improves high-temperature shear but reduces compatibility with highly aliphatic polyolefin elastomers. Relative to rosin esters, the acid number below 0.1 mg KOH/g minimizes acid-catalyzed hydrolysis in humid storage and reduces the potential for metal carboxylate formation. Selection therefore requires peel, tack, and shear data generated under ASTM D3330/D3330M, ASTM D6195, and ASTM D3654/D3654M across the intended application temperature range.
On continuous hot-melt adhesive coating lines, the low-viscosity grade is evaluated for its effect on backpressure between the melt tank and the slot die or roll coater. Because ASTM D3236 viscosity at 150 °C is lower than that of conventional aromatic resins with equivalent ring-and-ball softening point, the formulated adhesive may reach target application viscosity at reduced temperature. The actual temperature reduction is shear-dependent and is confirmed by capillary or Brookfield viscosity curves for each formulated adhesive. In twin-screw compounding operations with 30:1 to 40:1 L/D ratios, lower melt viscosity reduces motor torque once the formulation is fully molten and improves dispersion of fumed silica and calcium carbonate under high-shear conditions. Hot-melt tanks are blanketed with nitrogen to limit headspace oxygen; holding above 180 °C is minimized and monitored by yellowness index under ASTM D1925. Rotary screen coating lines typically operate at 150–170 °C. A rising filter pressure trend at constant temperature is interpreted as incompatibility or microgel formation rather than a normal viscosity shift.
The pure aromatic composition of the resin restricts room-temperature solubility to solvents with appropriate solubility parameter values. Toluene, xylene, ethyl acetate, and methyl ethyl ketone are effective; aliphatic naphtha and isoparaffin blends produce haze or phase separation at 25 °C. In solvent-borne adhesive coating, evaporation rate and solvent retention are governed by the resin’s high glass transition temperature and the concentration of high-boiling aromatic solvent. Residual solvent is quantified by headspace gas chromatography using ASTM D4526. Drying ovens for solvent-borne PSAs should be programmed with a final zone temperature above the boiling point of the slowest solvent but below 180 °C to avoid resin degradation and web blocking. The resin does not contribute rosin ester volatiles or acid functionality, which simplifies extractables screening when the complete adhesive is evaluated under FDA 21 CFR 175.105 for incidental food-contact applications.
Regulatory documentation for adhesive resins in this class is reviewed against FDA 21 CFR 175.105 for incidental food-contact adhesive components, REACH registration duties, and regional packaging resin inventories. A compliance checklist for a specific PSA formulation must include the tackifier, base polymer, plasticizer, antioxidant, and release liner. The resin is not intended for direct food contact. The aromatic content provides high softening point but also limits UV stability in clear film applications; formulations exposed to direct sunlight should include hindered amine stabilizer and UV absorber packages, with weatherability evaluated under ASTM D4329 or ASTM G154. The resin should not be combined with strong oxidizing agents. Storage at temperatures above 40 °C for prolonged periods may cause blocking and color body formation even though the product is supplied as flakes or pastilles.
