I mean on a molecular level, what about the surface of tape makes it adhesive?
In: Chemistry
Tape was only invented about one hundred years ago. The “sticky” on the tape makes it adhere to another surface with pressure. The sticky is made out of long chain polymers plus resin. Essentially, the polymers act like they are wet. They’re almost liquid, with weak bonds that interact with what you stick it to via wetting. Some adhesives get stuck harder over time; they dry out. Adhesive also doesn’t stick well on already wet surfaces and stick very poorly with oils.
The molecules in the polymers also have and make a weak electrical bond with what it sticks to, though Van der Waal’s forces. Electrons help largely with cohesiveness of the tape – stuff sticking to itself.
Different adhesives have different properties, some stick hard and some stick less, some stay sticky and some can bond permanently. This comes down to what polymers and resins are used.
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