3M 5557 User Manual
3
Water Contact Indicator Tape
5557
Product Description
3M™ Water Contact Indicator Tape 5557 is a 10.2 mil thick printable, self-adhesive
product that shows area specific, long lasting indication when contacted by water.
When liquid comes in contact with the product, the color RAPIDLY changes
from white to red. This product is designed to withstand heat and humidity aging
without giving water indication and it will continue to show indication even after
prolonged submersion in water. The construction is readily die cuttable, making
small custom shapes easy to produce. The adhesive is a high performance acrylic
protected by a silicone coated film release liner.
Technical Data December, 2004
Product Construction
Backing T op Film Adhesive Color Standard Roll Length
Paper Polyester Acrylic White 12 in. x 180 yd.
Typical Physical
Properties
ASTM Test Method
Adhesion to Stainless Steel: 82 oz./in. width (88 N/100 mm) D-3330
(90° Peel Adhesion, 12 in./min.
peel rate, 72 hr. Dw ell)
Adhesion to Polycarbonate: 47 oz./in. width (52 N/100 mm) D-3330
(90° Peel Adhesion, 12 in./min.
peel rate, 72 hr. Dw ell)
Tape Thickness: 10.2 mils (0.259 mm) D-3652
Release Liner Thickness: 2.0 mils (0.051 mm) D-3652
Humidity Resistance:*
Control, t = 0 days
Control, t = 0 days
Indicator w/1 drop H
2
O for
one minute at arrow .
7 days @ 55°C, 95%R.H.
7 days @ 55°C, 95%R.H.
indicated w/1 drop H
2
O for
one minute at arrow .
*Tape is applied to polycarbonate panel and hung vertically in heat/humidity chamber.
Note: The following technical information and data is based on limited 3M testing
conditions and should not be used for specification purposes.
3M™Water Contact Indicator Tape
5557
- 2 -
• Tape may be die cut using rotary die cutting process.
• Substrate should be smooth, clean, dry and oil-free to insure good wet-out and
adequate adhesion.
• Adhesive should not be applied at temperatures < 50°F (10°C) [best if room
temperature or higher].
• Maximum roll length depends upon width.
• Maximum roll width = 12 in. (304.8 mm)
• Temperature resistance is -40°C to 65°C for days or weeks and up to 121°C for
minutes or hours.
General
• Use as a water contact indicator in handheld or portable electronic devices such
as cell phones, PDA’s, pagers, MP3 players, game players, CD players, cordless
phones, two-way radios, laptops, digital or film cameras, video cameras, etc.
• Other applications where positive indication of water or aqueous solution contact
is desired.
Application Ideas
Features
Features
Film top layer
Paper backing
Acrylic adhesive
2.0 mil film liner
Benefits
Printable by thermal transfer, flexographic, and screen
printing methods. Can be used for identification.
Top coated film for improved ink receptivity.
Provides protection from soiling and moisture during
handling. Indication remains after prolonged immersion.
Highly absorbent, quickly transports water to show
indications.
Does not falsely indicate water contact in high humidity
environments.
Performance not degraded by past high humidity
exposures.
Rotary die cuttable. Can readily form a variety of labels.
Excellent UV, chemical, temperature resistance.
Very high bond strength to most surfaces including lo w
surface energy plastics such as polypropylene and po wder
coatings.
Excellent die cuttability .
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