Patent ID: 7765855

Claim:
A method for selecting an adhesive composition having improved performance, the method comprising observing a surface with an atomic force microscope, characterized in that the surface is a non-destructively de-bonded surface of the adhesive composition, and that the method further comprises: (a) subdividing the de-bonded surface into domains of pull-off force or stiffness; and (b) selecting an adhesive composition having (i) an average stiffness domain area less than about 2500 nm 2 ; or (ii) an average pull-off force domain area less than about 2500 nm 2 ; or (iii) a pull-off force overall average domain distribution less than about 25%; or (iv) a stiffness overall average domain distribution less than about 25%; or (v) combinations of any two or more thereof wherein the adhesive composition comprises: (a) a polyolefin with a weight average molecular weight greater than about 20,000; and (b) a tackifier with a weight average molecular weight less than about 10,000, wherein the tackifier is grafted with an unsaturated acid or anhydride or derivative thereof.