Saint-Gobain CHR SG13-06(R) High Performance Glass-PTFE Backing Acrylic Adhesive Pressure Sensitive Tape is a composite release tape consisting of a woven fiberglass cloth impregnated with polytetrafluoroethylene and coated on one side with an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive. The product designation carries a nominal backing thickness of 0.006 in (0.15 mm), with typical total thickness after adhesive coating in the 0.008–0.009 in (0.20–0.23 mm) range. The —06 index is used in converter literature as a thickness reference. The backing architecture provides dimensional stability, cut-through resistance, and release behavior, while the acrylic adhesive is selected where silicone migration is prohibited or where improved solvent resistance is required relative to silicone adhesive grades. The product is supplied in slit rolls and master logs; standard widths range from 0.25 in (6.35 mm) to 54 in (1,372 mm) depending on converting source, with common core diameters of 3 in (76 mm) and 6 in (152 mm). Roll length varies with width and total thickness; a 36 yd (33 m) length is frequently listed for narrow slit rolls, while custom widths are often cut from 36 yd master rolls. The product is not a direct food-contact tape as supplied; the PTFE portion is covered by FDA 21 CFR 177.1550, but the adhesive layer must be evaluated under the intended use conditions, typically through FDA 21 CFR 175.105 or end-use validation if the adhesive is separated from food by a functional barrier.

The primary operational boundary is thermal. The acrylic adhesive is the rate-limiting material at elevated temperature; the PTFE-impregnated glass backing can withstand short-term exposure above 500°F (260°C), but continuous exposure of the adhesive beyond 350°F (177°C) accelerates chain scission, reduces peel adhesion, and increases adhesive transfer. In practice, process qualification should include a thermal aging trial at the intended sealing jaw temperature for a minimum of 24 h followed by peel adhesion testing according to ASTM D3330/D3330M. Published data for this specific configuration is limited; suppliers commonly report nominal continuous service from −100°F to +350°F (−73°C to +177°C).

The glass cloth substrate creates converting challenges. During slitting, the glass fibers abrade steel and carbide blades; slitting operations typically use tungsten carbide or diamond-grit shear knives, and blade cooling is required at high line speeds. Edge fraying is reduced by maintaining blade sharpness and using a crush-cut or shear-cut configuration rather than razor slitting. The acrylic adhesive can build up on slitter blades and idler rolls; cleaning with isopropanol or a suitable ethyl acetate-based cleaner is common, but solvent exposure should be minimized to avoid adhesive swelling at the roll edge. Because the PTFE surface is non-stick, corona or chemical priming of the backing side is sometimes used in converter processes when the tape is laminated to another carrier.

What Mechanical and Adhesion Parameters Are Used to Control SG13-06(R) Roll Quality?

Release-tape procurement specifications for this grade are typically structured around three test groups: dimensional stability, adhesive anchorage, and dielectric integrity. Peel adhesion is measured on 304 stainless steel panels after a 20-min dwell and a 12 in/min (300 mm/min) peel speed using ASTM D3330/D3330M; reported values are generally near 35 oz/in (9.6 N/25 mm). Tensile strength and elongation at break are measured with ASTM D3759/D3759M; the glass cloth carrier provides a tensile strength near 100 lb/in (175 N/25 mm) and elongation at break near 5%. Dielectric strength is commonly evaluated with ASTM D149; values near 4,000 V are reported for the stated thickness class, although the exact breakdown voltage depends on electrode geometry and rate of rise.

The acrylic adhesive anchorage to the PTFE-impregnated glass backing is a critical production variable. Because the backing is highly fluorinated, direct anchoring of acrylic adhesives can be insufficient without an intermediate primer or corona treatment. Therefore, the tape is not a simple laminated structure; a primer layer is generally applied between the glass-PTFE surface and the acrylic adhesive to improve interlayer adhesion. Batch-to-batch variance in adhesive anchorage is usually assessed by observing adhesive transfer to a release liner or test panel after elevated-temperature dwell. If the adhesive separates from the backing at the primer interface rather than failing at the substrate interface, the roll is considered defective. In production converting, the glass cloth filler yarn and warp yarn can create a textured surface; adhesive coat weight must be sufficient to fill the weave pattern and prevent void channels that reduce dielectric strength and allow solvent penetration.

Lot-to-lot variation in glass weave thickness, PTFE impregnation, and adhesive coat weight can shift peel adhesion and dielectric strength. Incoming inspection should include total thickness, peel adhesion to a standardized panel, and visual inspection for adhesive voids, backing wrinkles, or frayed edges. For critical electrical applications, a hi-pot test at 1,500 V or 2,500 V AC is often performed on the assembled part rather than on the tape alone. The acrylic adhesive is generally not flame retardant by itself; the flame resistance of the composite arises from the glass-PTFE substrate. Therefore, UL 94 V-0 performance is thickness-dependent and must be confirmed for the exact total thickness and substrate combination used in the end product.

When Heat-Sealing Equipment Requires Release Without Silicone Contamination

On form-fill-seal machines, rotary sealers, and L-sealers, the tape is applied to heated sealing jaws, bars, or platen surfaces to prevent molten polyethylene, polypropylene, or PVC film from sticking to the metal. In this application, the adhesive layer must survive intermittent compressive stress at dwell pressures commonly set between 30 psi and 80 psi (0.21 MPa and 0.55 MPa) and dwell times from 0.2 s to 1.5 s. Actual pressure distribution depends on jaw flatness and release material thickness; localized stress peaks at jaw edges or wrinkle folds can exceed average values. The glass cloth reinforcement limits creep and dimensional distortion compared with unsupported PTFE film tapes, which can wrinkle or thin under repeated compression.

Acrylic adhesive grades such as SG13-06(R) are chosen when silicone adhesive systems are unacceptable. Silicone adhesives can release low molecular weight siloxanes that migrate to adjacent surfaces and interfere with printing, coating, or bonding operations. In medical device packaging, electronics, and automotive paint areas, silicone contamination is a recognized defect source. The acrylic adhesive also resists common cleaning agents better than many silicone adhesives, although the maximum continuous temperature is lower. When process temperatures exceed 350°F (177°C) for extended runs, the acrylic adhesive can embrittle and transfer; in such cases, the user must either reduce jaw temperature, increase tape replacement frequency, or select a silicone-adhesive glass-PTFE alternative if silicone contamination can be tolerated.

The glass-PTFE backing is a thermal insulator rather than a thermal conductor. Typical filled PTFE and glass composites have thermal conductivity in the range of 0.2–0.4 W/m·K; for this tape, the insulating barrier may alter heat transfer from the sealing jaw to the film. Process engineers compensate by raising jaw temperature or extending dwell in the initial setup. In contrast, metal-filled release tapes are not used in this class because the glass cloth provides the required mechanical strength.

Release performance is not governed by a single ASTM peel test for tape-to-film release. In packaging trials, the property of interest is the force required to separate a hot polyethylene or polypropylene film from the taped sealing jaw. That force depends on the film resin, slip additives, seal temperature, and contact time. The tape surface does not eliminate the need for release coatings on the film but reduces film sticking and char. Some processors use a spray release agent on top of the tape; this practice can mask the tape’s inherent release properties and complicate adhesive performance.

In coil winding, slot cell insulation, and capacitor wrapping, the tape functions as an interlayer dielectric and mechanical spacer. The woven glass substrate resists puncture from magnet wire edges and slot corners, while the PTFE surface lowers friction between winding layers. Dielectric performance should be interpreted in the context of the insulation class of the motor or transformer. Class F insulation systems are rated for a maximum hot-spot temperature of 155°C (311°F); Class H systems are rated for 180°C (356°F). The acrylic adhesive does not carry the same continuous thermal rating as PTFE/glass; therefore, SG13-06(R) is more commonly used as a coil wrap or temporary securement in Class F and lower-temperature portions of Class H systems. When the tape is applied over sharp corners, the glass cloth can be scored or cracked under tension; a minimum bend radius of approximately 0.125 in (3.2 mm) is suggested for the stated backing thickness, although published data for this specific configuration is limited. In motor varnishing operations, the tape must be compatible with solvent-borne or waterborne varnish; acrylic adhesive can be softened by varnish solvents, so the tape should be tested in the specific varnish bake cycle.

Comparison Against Unsupported PTFE Film and Silicone-Adhesive Glass-PTFE Formats

The selection of SG13-06(R) is typically made by balancing three format-level properties: dimensional stability, temperature resistance, and contamination potential. Unsupported PTFE film tapes provide higher conformability and lower total thickness, but their tensile strength is lower and their elongation is higher. Glass-PTFE tapes such as SG13-06(R) provide a tensile strength near 100 lb/in and elongation near 5%, which reduces shifting under load. Silicone-adhesive glass-PTFE tapes provide continuous service temperatures up to 500°F (260°C) but present a higher risk of extractable silicone. Acrylic adhesive glass-PTFE tapes occupy the middle ground: the adhesive limits the upper temperature to approximately 350°F (177°C), but the system avoids silicone contamination and offers better resistance to some processing solvents. The table below summarizes generic format differences; values for competitor products vary and must be verified by datasheet.

Surface Energy Thresholds, Plasticizer Migration, and Solvent Incompatibility Boundaries

Reliable bonding of the acrylic adhesive requires the substrate to present a surface energy above the adhesive wetting threshold. Untreated polypropylene and many molded olefin surfaces show surface energies in the range of 29–31 mN/m; acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesives generally require a minimum of approximately 38 mN/m for maximum peel strength. Corona, flame, or plasma pretreatment should be used on low-energy substrates, with treatment level verified by dyne test fluids according to ISO 8296 or ASTM D2578. Flexible PVC formulations with high monomeric plasticizer content can transfer dioctyl phthalate or diisononyl phthalate into the adhesive polymer, reducing peel adhesion and increasing adhesive ooze. A plasticizer migration aging trial at 60°C (140°F) for 7 days is recommended before production use on plasticized PVC.

Solvent exposure limits the adhesive more than the backing. Short-term contact with aliphatic hydrocarbons is generally tolerated, but ketones, esters, aromatic hydrocarbons, and chlorinated solvents can swell or dissolve the acrylic polymer. The user should avoid cleaning the applied tape with methyl ethyl ketone, toluene, or trichloroethylene. Strong acids and alkalis can attack the glass fiber or the adhesive; hydrofluoric acid is especially incompatible with glass cloth. High-humidity storage may plasticize the adhesive surface; conditioning at 23°C (73°F) and 50% RH for 24 h is recommended before application when rolls have been stored above 60% RH.

Shelf life for acrylic adhesive tapes of this class is generally 12 to 24 months from date of manufacture when stored in original packaging at 70°F (21°C) and 40–60% RH. Storage above 100°F (38°C) or exposure to ozone and direct sunlight accelerates edge flagging and reduces tack. Before installation, metal sealing bars should be cleaned with an appropriate solvent, dried, and lightly abraded to a surface roughness of approximately 0.8–1.2 µm Ra when the surface is polished. The use of silicone-based release sprays or cleaning agents on the same equipment should be avoided because silicone residues can migrate onto the tape backing and alter release properties.

Regulatory documentation for this product typically confirms that the tape matrix does not intentionally contain lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls, or polybrominated diphenyl ethers within the meaning of RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU. REACH compliance is confirmed through supplier declaration for substances of very high concern. The PTFE resin component is covered by EU Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 through member-state declarations for food-contact materials, but the final laminate must be assessed under the intended application.