What weakens the hook & loop?
The 'weak point' on a hook & loop fastener is typically the hooks since they are so fine. Once the hooks are damaged from contact with high temperatures the fastening tape becomes ineffective. This is the most common reason for breakdown of hook & loop tapes.
Loop
Hook
What is outgassing?
Outgassing is the release of trapped gas or vapor that was previously dissolved, trapped, frozen, or absorbed in the solid. Outgassing can include sublimation and evaporation which are phase transitions of a substance into a gas, as well as desorption.
The adhesive side of sticky-back hook & loop sticks well to thin, light fabrics, including nylon, polyester, and cotton.
Hook and loop is a two component fastener, meaning there are two different sides that must be pressed together to fasten. One side is called the hook. The hook is the rough, scratchy side. This side sticks to lots of things, but it sticks best to the other side, called the loop.
Every time hook and loop tape is opened, the hooks pull on the loops, contributing to a level of deterioration on those loops. This can impact the fastener's performance depending on how often it is disengaged.
When a product made with rubber is first opened, it is normal that the odor of rubber will emit. This is because it is packaged, thus encapsulating the freshly made item and its scent. Sometimes this emission
is referred to as outgassing.
Most "rubber" products will emit when new various organic compounds which we can smell. The health risks of "short-term" (i.e. days) of exposure are not well defined. If you have a respiratory condition such as asthma these smells can certainly precipitate an attack
Here are a few tips and suggestions to quickly reduce the strong rubber odor from your new purchase:
- Clean with white vinegar.
- Vent the area well.
- Harness the power of the sun.
- Dilute the odor with smell-fighting natural scents.
Let it air dry and make sure there's plenty of ventilation. You may have to repeat this process a few times before you're satisfied with the results. This will help take the edge off strong rubber smells.
Usually after 30 days, the smell will dissipate. Natural rubber is derived from the sap of the rubber tree, called latex, whose particular odor intensifies when the latex coagulates with exposure to air. When the latex is combined with other chemicals during manufacturing, the result is that 'rubber tyre' smell.