Related Experiment Videos
Experiments on peeling adhesive tapes from human forearms.
1The Charles E. Via, Jr Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, USA.
Summary
Understanding how adhesive tape is peeled from skin reveals key factors influencing peel force. Optimal peel angles and rates minimize skin trauma and pain during tape removal.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Dermatology
Background:
- Adhesive tape removal from human skin can cause pain and tissue damage.
- Factors influencing the forces during tape peeling require detailed investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of peel angle, peel rate, and dwell time on the peel force from human skin.
- To understand subject-specific variations and the impact of repeated peeling on skin trauma.
Main Methods:
- Durapore adhesive tape (3M) was peeled from volar forearms of four human subjects.
- Peel rates varied from 100 to 10,000 mm/min, peel angles from 90 to 180 degrees, and dwell times from 1 to 15 minutes.
- Peel force and displacement were recorded using tensile testing machines.
Main Results:
- Peel force was generally minimal around a 150-degree peel angle.
- Increased peel rate showed a slight, erratic increase in peel force.
- Increased dwell time initially raised peel force before plateauing.
- The oldest subject exhibited the highest peel forces and skin displacement.
- Repeated peeling from the same site increased peel force; skin peel force was lower than from rigid substrates.
Conclusions:
- Findings enhance the understanding of factors influencing adhesive tape peel force from skin.
- This knowledge can inform strategies to minimize skin trauma and pain during medical tape removal.