Tackifier
Tackifier turns up in 2 fields: tribology, adhesives. Here is what it means to the people in each one.
Tackifier in tribology
Polymer additive that makes a lubricant sticky and stringy so it clings to chains, open gears and slides.
A long-chain polymer, often polyisobutylene, blended into oil or grease to raise adhesion and cohesion. Tackified lubricants resist fling-off from chains and open gears, drip less from overhead conveyors and stand up to water spray. Pull a sample apart between thumb and finger and it strings out. Shear in pumps and gear meshes chops the polymer over time, so the tack fades in service.
"Oven chain oil is flinging off and dripping on product, we need something with a tackifier in it."
Tackifier in adhesives
A resin added to rubber or acrylic adhesives to raise their tack and peel.
Tackifiers such as rosin esters, hydrocarbon resins and terpene resins lower the stiffness of an adhesive at the speed of bonding and raise its glass transition, giving faster grab and higher peel. They are key ingredients in rubber PSAs and hot melts. Too much makes an adhesive brittle at low temperature, and some tackifiers yellow or migrate.
"Lab bumped the tackifier in the rubber PSA, tack's up but it's too firm in the cold room."