What is adhesion film, how does it work and what are the benefits for you?

What is adhesive film or static film?

The name of the adhesion film is derived from the Latin word "adhaerere" and means "to adhere", so the film is designed to adhere to smooth surfaces without any adhesive at all. This adhesion is created by forces acting between the molecules of the film and the surface.

What forces are behind the adhesion film and how do they work?

To explain how it works, we need to take a trip into physics, because the forces that make the film adhere work between the molecules of the film and the surface that is being adhered to. The forces at work here are called Van der Waals forces, named after the Dutch physicist Johannes Diderik van der Waals. He found out that these forces are based on electrostatic charge. This means that you can only stick on surfaces that have the property to form a mutual connection with the foil.

Basically every substance, every material consists of molecules and every molecule carries an electrostatic charge. This charge enables molecules to make contact with each other and to attract this to themselves. Thereby positively and negatively charged particles or molecules attract each other. This attraction force is also called adhesion force, or Van der Waals force. These forces that act between the molecules are very very weak forces, therefore the molecules must come very close to each other so that these forces can act. That's why very smooth surfaces like glass are much better suited for adhesion films than very highly textured surfaces like stone or wood.
Incidentally, this is also the reason why cling film holds particularly well on smooth glass or ceramic bowls, but only very poorly on rough plastic boxes.
A little fun fact from nature: geckos or spiders can run up walls or along ceilings in the same way. Geckos and spiders have microscopic hairs on the soles of their feet that stick to the wall or ceiling in the same way that our foils stick to window panes. The fine hairs cling to any surface and thus, due to their large number, provide enough adhesion to easily support the weight of the animal.

What are the benefits of adhesive film for me?

When it comes to applying adhesive to windows or glass surfaces, adhesive film is a very good solution. This film is applied without any glue and can be removed at any time without leaving any residues. And it can be reapplied after removal. So if the film is stored dust-free, you can use it again later. Since the adhesive strength depends on the surface, the film does not lose its adhesive strength over time. However, if dust gets on the film, it can no longer bond with the surface to be applied and will peel off. That is why it is of crucial importance that the surface to be covered is properly cleaned and dust-free beforehand. One of the advantages of static film is that it is easy to apply: youcan remove it without leaving any residue and, if stored properly, you can use it several times.

What can I use static film for?

Whether you want to apply static film to a shop window, a vehicle or any other smooth surface, it is an excellent alternative to traditional adhesive film. Static film is also great for adding an attractive privacy screen to glass doors or walls, or a seasonal or interior decoration. Our adhesive films are also ideal for applying advertising and text to your shop window or shop door. For example, put your company name, your opening hours or just your current discount promotion. Static film is also excellent for seasonal or short-term promotions, whether you want to apply to a shop window or a vehicle for marketing purposes.

How do I apply adhesive film correctly?

You have decided on a certain motif, ordered your film and now want to apply it professionally? You should follow a few rules when applying the film: Make sure that the surface, regardless of whether it is glass or another smooth material, is free of grease and dust and dirt particles. The easiest way to install is to use wet bonding. In this case, there is a film of water between the film and the surface to be covered. Thanks to this, even microscopic unevenness is evened out and the contact surface is increased, which ensures better adhesion. It is best to spray the surface to be covered with water, which can also be mixed with a little washing-up liquid. Then apply the film and carefully remove the backing paper. Use the squeegee to carefully remove the water and any air bubbles that may form. Positioning the backing paper between the static film and the squeegee reduces the risk of damaging the film during application. If you also wear cotton gloves, you avoid unsightly fingerprints on the adhesive film. If you follow these tips, the installation of the static cling film will usually go smoothly!

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