Low-temperature plant oil-based pressure-sensitive adhesive for roofing shingles
A 100% solid, non-toxic adhesive derived from plant oil polymers that maintains tack and adhesion below 4°C. Designed for hot-melt coating on shingles with UV curing, it offers high peel strength (5-12 N/cm), high-temperature shear resistance (SAFT 80°C+), and adjustable glass transition temperatures from -40°C to -5°C. Suitable for roofing and other cold-environment adhesive applications.
Overview
This technology is a novel pressure-sensitive adhesive formulated from plant oil-based polymers, engineered to maintain strong adhesion at low temperatures where conventional adhesives typically fail. The adhesive is 100% solid and made from non-toxic raw materials, making it suitable for sustainable manufacturing. It is designed for hot-melt coating onto roofing shingles, followed by UV curing to produce a finished adhesive layer protected by a release liner. The adhesive offers a combination of low-temperature tack, high peel strength, and excellent high-temperature shear resistance, addressing a key gap in cold-weather adhesive performance.
Technical specifications
- Composition: 100% solid adhesive derived from plant oil polymers with long carbon-hydrogen chains for flexibility
- Glass transition temperature: Adjustable from -40°C to -5°C, enabling adhesion bonding below 4°C
- Viscosity: 1,000-10,000 cps at 60-130°C for easy hot-melt coating
- Peel strength: 5-12 N/cm
- Shear adhesion: High shear resistance with SAFT (Shear Adhesion Failure Temperature) of 80°C or higher
- Curing method: UV radiation curing after hot-melt coating
- Aging resistance: Stable with good aging resistance demonstrated
- Substrate compatibility: Tested with wood; designed for shingle applications
- Processing: Hot-melt coated onto shingles or release liners, UV cured, and laminated with protective liner
Technology readiness level
The adhesive has been validated at the laboratory scale with demonstrated pressure-sensitive adhesive properties, including low-temperature tack, peel strength ranging from 5-12 N/cm, shear adhesion with SAFT temperatures of 80°C or higher, adjustable glass transition temperatures from -40°C to -5°C, and good aging resistance. Future validation plans include testing on shingle substrates for peel adhesion, tack, and shear properties; evaluating additional mechanical properties specific to roofing applications; modifying the adhesive to meet full roofing application requirements; designing a coating and curing line for shingle/adhesive/liner assembly manufacturing; and scaling up production of both the adhesive and the finished shingle/adhesive/liner products. The technology is at an early-to-mid stage of development, with proven material properties but requiring further application-specific validation and manufacturing scale-up before commercial deployment.
About Oregon State University
Oregon State University is a comprehensive public research university and Oregon’s land‑grant institution, with a main campus in Corvallis and a statewide footprint. Industry partners tap a statewide Extension network and county offices to pilot and scale solutions with communities and companies across Oregon. A coastal marine science campus in Newport anchors ocean research and provides access to open‑ocean wave‑energy test ranges and grid‑connected infrastructure under development nearby, enabling sea‑to‑shore prototyping. Field stations and university‑managed research forests support long‑term trials and product validation in real‑world environments. A dedicated technology transfer office and the OSU Advantage programs—including the Advantage Accelerator—streamline IP, licensing, startup formation, and industry agreements.
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