Peel Strength Testing – The Complete Guide

Looking for the way to measure the bond strength of a material? Then peel strength testing is probably exactly the solution you need. Coming under the umbrella of adhesion testing, this flexible test and measurement solution is an effective way to characterize an adhesive bond. Find out more about how it works and why it’s such a useful test in our handy guide.  

What is peel strength testing?

Peel strength testing determines the adhesive strength of materials that have been bonded together. The materials are peeled apart at a constant speed and the strength of the force needed to separate the materials is calculated along with the width of the bond surface to determine the peel strength. Typically, tests involve peeling two flexible materials that have been bonded to each other, or one flexible bonded material adhered from a rigid substrate. 

Peel strength testing is often used to characterize the bonding strength of tape, adhesives, and flexible substrates, such as rubber, films, biomaterials, consumables, medical packaging and more. There are many different peel testing methods to choose from, depending on the materials used.  

Types of peel testing 

One of the most unique things about peel testing is the number of varieties it has and the fact that most can be tested with one Universal Testing Machine. The most common peel testing types include: 

180°-peel

The 180°-peel test measures the load per unit needed to separate bonded materials using an 180° angle of separation. It is suitable for testing a flexible material that is bonded to a rigid substrate. 

90°-peel 

The 90°-peel test measures the load per unit needed to separate bonded materials using a 90° angle of separation. It is suitable for testing a flexible material that is bonded to a rigid substrate. 

T-peel

This tensile test for two flexible substrates that have been bonded together. The substrates are placed into peel test grips so that one sticks up, the other sticks down and the bonded area sticks out horizontally, which forms a “T” shape. 

Peel wheel testing

This test, which is also sometimes referred to as the climbing drum peel test, is suited for testing the bond between a flexible material and a rigid substrate. It is easy to set up and perform but less popular than 180° and 90° tests.  

Floating roller peel testing 

Suitable for testing rigid or semi-rigid substrate and a flexible material, this method uses rollers that are generally set at 90° or 115°. The materials are passed through the rollers and attached to another grip that is attached to the tensile tester, which measures the force needed to separate the bond.  

Peel strength testing solutions 

At Industrial Physics, we know just how important it is to be confident that your materials are bonded, that’s why we provide a huge range of test and measurement solutions perfect for everything from flexible packaging to plastics and polymers.  

One of our specialist testing brands that provides excellent, industry standard compliant testing options is United Testing Systems. With 50 years’ experience, we’ve designed a range of popular test frames and fixtures to enable you to perform accurate and repeatable peel testing in your R&D lab or production facility. 

Get some insight into our testing systems to see how they could fit into your RD or QA process.

Browse our full range of adhesion testing solutions to find the one that suits your needs and purposes.  

Peel strength testing standards 

Because peel strength testing is such a versatile testing method and can be applied to such a wide range of martials and adhesions, there are many different testing standards associated with it. At Industrial Physics, we have solutions to help you adhere to all of the most common peel testing standards, including: 

• ASTM-B533 – standard test method for peel strength of metal electroplated plastics 
• ASTM-B571-97 – standard practice for qualitative adhesion testing of metallic coatings 
• ASTM-D1876 – standard test method for peel resistance of adhesives (t-peel test) 
• ASTM-D1995 – standard test methods for multi-modal strength testing of autohesives (contact adhesives) 

• ASTM-D1781 – standard test method for climbing drum peel for adhesives 
• ASTM-D2918 – standard test method for durability assessment of adhesive joints stressed in peel 
• ASTM-D3167 – standard test method for floating roller peel resistance of adhesives 
• ASTM-D3330 – A – standard test method for peel adhesion of pressure-sensitive tape 
• ASTM-D3330 – B – E – standard test method for peel adhesion of pressure-sensitive tape 

• ASTM-D3330 – standard test method for peel adhesion of pressure-sensitive tape 
• ASTM-D413 – standard test methods for rubber property—adhesion to flexible substrate 
• ASTM-D429 – standard test methods for rubber property—adhesion to rigid substrates 
• ASTM-D5170 – standard test method for peel strength (‘T’ method) of hook and loop touch fasteners 
• ASTM-D5458 – standard test method for peel cling of stretch wrap film 

• ASTM-D6252 – standard test method for peel adhesion of pressure-sensitive label stocks at a 90° angle 
• ASTM-D6496 – standard test method for determining average bonding peel strength between the top and bottom layers of needle-punched geosynthetic clay liners 
• ASTM-D6862 – standard test method for 90° peel resistance of adhesives 
• ASTM-D816 – standard test methods for rubber cements 
• ASTM-D903 – standard test method for peel or stripping strength of adhesive bonds 

• ASTM-F2256 – standard test method for strength properties of tissue adhesives in t-peel by tension loading 
• ASTM-F88 – standard test method for seal strength of flexible barrier materials 
• ASTM-F88 – standard test method for seal strength of flexible barrier materials 
• ISO-10373-1 – identification cards – test methods – part 1: general characteristics 
• ISO-11339 – adhesives – T-peel test for flexible-to-flexible bonded assemblies 

• ISO-14676 – adhesives – evaluation of the effectiveness of surface treatment techniques for aluminum – wet-peel test by floating-roller method 
• ISO-20344 – personal protective equipment – test methods for footwear 
• ISO-4578 – adhesives – determination of peel resistance of high-strength adhesive bonds – floating-roller method 
• ISO-8510-1 – adhesives – peel test for a flexible-bonded-to-rigid test specimen assembly – part 1: 90° peel 
• ISO-8510-2 – adhesives – peel test for a flexible-bonded-to-rigid test specimen assembly – part 2: 180° peel 

• SAE-J 1553 – cross peel test for automotive-type adhesives for fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) bonding 
• SAE-J 1907 – peel adhesion test for glass to elastomeric material for automotive glass encapsulation 

United Testing Systems testing from Industrial Physics

At Industrial Physics, we help manufacturers, laboratories, and production lines to protect the integrity of their packaging, products, and materials by providing them with the highest quality of test and measurement instruments.  

We have a number of high-quality testing machines from our specialized brands including United Testing Systems, a world leader in the manufacture of state-of-the-art material testing systems. Discover our range of adhesion testing machines.