The Boeing Company
Methods and apparatus to form venting pathways in pressure sensitive adhesives for laminate stacks

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus to form venting pathways in pressure sensitive adhesives for laminate stacks are disclosed. An example method includes forming a laminate stack including a gas permeable nonwoven layer and a pressure sensitive adhesive layer. The pressure sensitive adhesive layer has a first surface and a second surface located opposite the first surface. The first surface contacts the gas permeable nonwoven layer. The method further includes processing the laminate stack by reducing a ductility of the pressure sensitive adhesive layer such that venting pathways are formed in the pressure sensitive adhesive layer in response to a mechanical strain applied to the pressure sensitive adhesive layer via a trapped gas. The venting pathways extend through a thickness of the pressure sensitive adhesive layer to enable the trapped gas to pass through the pressure sensitive adhesive layer from the second surface to the first surface.