Cohesion - What is cohesion?

Definition of COHESION:

Also called cohesive attraction or cohesive force, cohesion refers to a property of materials that describes the tendency of similar particles within that substance to hold together due to intermolecular forces.

The cohesive strength of a substance is determined by the shape and structure of its molecules; when molecules within cohesive materials get close together, the electrons orbiting the molecules are distributed irregularly, which creates an electrical attraction that causes the molecules to be attracted towards each other.

In labelling, cohesion is important in the construction of a label from a number of layers and its application onto a substrate; while it is important that labels have good adhesion to ensure that the layers within the construction remain firmly bonded together and the labels adhere successfully to a substrate, they also need good cohesion to ensure that each layer has the internal strength to remain in its original form even when labels are stressed or put under pressure by the manufacturing and printing processes and during application onto (and removal from) a substrate. Good cohesive strength can also help to avoid common label problems such as adhesive residue and creep (also known as cold flow).

Here is the Harvard-style citation to use if you would like to reference this definition of the word cohesion:
Label Planet (2020) What is cohesion? | Cohesion Definition. Available at: https://www.labelplanet.co.uk/glossary/cohesion/ (Accessed: January 1, 2024).