Adhesive Release Testing - A test which determines the amount of force required to remove a release liner from an adhesive product.

cGMP - Current Good Manufacturing Practices

Clean Room - An environment which is controlled to minimize contamination due to particulates and other airborne pollutants. Polymer Science, Inc. has Class 100 coating, converting and packaging production areas.Converting - To change a material either in length, width or overall appearance.

Corona Treatment - Surface treating of a material by electric static discharge in order to increase the adhesion of a coating to a substrate.

Current Good Manufacturing Practices - A set of regulations established and regulated by the FDA as a result of the Federal Food and Cosmetic Act of 1976. Current regulations can be found as 21 CFR at http://www.fda.gov .

EMI - Electromagnetic Interference

FDA - Food and Drug Administration

Gravure Coating - Coating which is done by transferring the coating material to the substrate in a defined pattern which has been engraved in the coating head.

Hydrocolloid - Natural products which have many medical and pharmaceutical applications. Their adhesion and general hypoallergenic properties, hydrocolloids are used extensively in wound care and skin adhesion applications.

Hydrogel - A coated material consisting of mostly water used for delivery of medications transdermally, to provide lubricious coatings to medical devices, and promote wound care. These gels can be used in wound care applications, or loaded with a variety of topical skin care products.

Hydrophilic - A material which has the capability to attract and hold water. From the latin meaning "water loving." Hydrophilic coatings can be used in a variety of applications such as a variety of diagnostic test strips and supplies.

Hydrophobic - Materials which repel or resist water. Used when moisture is definitely an issue. These water resistant films can be used in applications such as anti-fog and products where water is detrimental to the efficient functioning of a process.

ISO - International System established in Europe and adopted in the United States as a standard in which to model quality systems to ensure product is manufactured consistently. ISO strives to to enhance customer satisfaction through the effective application of the system, including processes for continual improvement of the system and the assurance of conformity to customer and applicable regulatory requirements. Polymer Science uses QCB (http://www.qcbinc.com )as a third party auditor to ensure compliance to ISO9001:2000.

Knife Over Coating - Coating where the material thickness is adjusted as it passes under a blade with a known gap.

Lamination - The process of bringing two or more materials together through either permanent or temporary.

OTC - Over the Counter

Peel Release Testing - Quantitative test which determines the amount of force required to remove an adhesive from a substrate, usually stainless steel.

PSA - Pressure Sensitive Adhesive

Polymer - A substance either man-made or natural consisting of several repeating units known as monomers.

Pressure Sensitive Adhesive - An adhesive which is applied to the end product through direct pressure.

Reverse Roll Coating - Coating technique in which the coating thickness is controlled through the a precision gap between rollers which are rotating opposite with the second roller transferring the coating material to the substrate travelling over drive roller.

RFI - Radio Frequency Interference
Slot Die Coating - Coating where material is squeezed through a gap by pressure or gravity of known width. Coating thickness is controlled by balancing pressure and line speed.

Thermal Cure - Coating which cures with the addition of heat.

Thermally Conductive - A material having the ability to transfer heat to or from an object.

Transdermal - A product typically medical in nature that is applied to the skin.

Transfer Adhesive - An adhesive product, typically coated on two sides, developed to be applied to a material

UV Cure - Coatings which require the energy provided by ultraviolet radiation. Coating resin must contain photoinitiator to cure.