Types of Tapes - A Thomas Buying Guide

Genevieve Mills

Adhesive tape covers a wide range of tapes that consist of backing materials coated with an adhesive. Different backing materials and adhesives are used depending on the intended use of the tape. Tapes are used in many different industries for many different purposes. This article looks at the different types of tapes and breaks down the types of double coated and printed tapes.

Water Activated Tapes

Water activated tape, also known as gummed paper tape or gummed tape, is composed of a starch-based adhesive on a backing made of kraft paper that becomes sticky when moistened. Before it’s wetted, the tape is not adhesive, making it easier to work with. Sometimes an animal glue-based adhesive is used.

One specific type of gummed tape is reinforced gummed tape (RGT). The backing of this reinforced tape is made up of two layers of paper with a laminated cross-pattern of fiberglass filaments in between. The laminating adhesive used in the past was asphalt, but nowadays a hot-melt atactic polypropylene is more commonly used.

Water-activated tape is most often used in packaging for closing and sealing corrugated fiberboard boxes. Before closing the boxes, the tape is wetted or remoistened, activated by water. This creates a tight seal that shows any evidence of tamping, making it ideal for secure shipping and storage.

Heat Activated Tapes

Heat activated tapes are not sticky until activated by a heat source. They are made up of a heat activated thermoplastic film that is formulated from polyurethane, nylon, polyester, or vinyl and adheres to most substances. When both heat and pressure are applied to the tape, the adhesive is activated and creates an extremely high bond. The heat activation point depends on the substrate sensitivity and scorch point. Too hot, and the substrate may burn, not hot enough, and the adhesive won’t bond.

Heat-activated tapes are often used for laminating, molding, and welding. They are also used for the textile industry because the bond is washing-machine proof, and sometimes in packaging, for example, a tear strip tape for cigarette packs.

Double Coated Tapes

Double coated tapes are pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs) that are generally fabricated in several types of materials, including paper, foam, and cloth. They are used for bonding and sealing a variety of similar and disparate materials and substrates. These adhesive products are also used for sound dampening purposes. They are manufactured in a range of tensile strengths and may be applied to low and high surface energy materials. Variants of these tapes are useful for their UV and age resistance. Additionally, manufacturers provide the option of die-cutting depending on the application requirement.

Industries that utilize double coated tapes include the medical, appliance, automotive, and electronic sectors and standard applications include mounting substrates (e.g., plates, hooks, and moldings), sound dampening, bonding (e.g., display, frames, and signs), splicing (e.g., fabric webs, paper, films, etc.) and insulation against light, dust, and noise .

Types and Materials

Double coated tapes feature an adhesive coating comprised of a rubber or synthetic rubber adhesive. These rubber tapes are compatible with a range of surface materials including papers, fabrics, and films. Various double coated tape products are designed for high shear and high-temperature performance. Double-coated tape materials fall into the following subcategories:

Foam Tapes: These tapes are composed of open or closed cells and are typically coated with an acrylic adhesive on both sides. Common variations of this type of tape include polyethylene, urethane and vinyl materials. Foam tapes are suitable for mounting purposes and gasket applications and sound dampening purposes. These tapes are resistant to a wide range of temperature applications.
Cotton (Cloth) Tapes: Generally, cloth tapes feature a flexible back, and often the adhesive commonly has a heavy coating, which is ideal for irregular and dissimilar surface applications. Standard uses for this type of tape include mounting for printing industry applications and sealing, such as carpet installation. These tapes are efficient for their easy unwind capability.
Paper Tapes: Typically hand tearable, these tapes are coated on both sides with a rubber adhesive and are often used for general purpose bonding applications and where temporary holds are required. These tapes are also efficient for bonding irregular surfaces. Tape liners are available in different colors. Variations of this type of tape may be resistant to certain chemicals. Additionally, paper tapes may be applied manually or with an applicator. Other types of paper tapes include crepe tapes and flatback tapes.

Printed Tapes

Printed tape is typically produced via the flexography printing process. They often feature a natural or synthetic adhesive and a pressure sensitive backing. Available pre-printed or custom designed in a variety of ink colors and materials, printed tape serves as label indicators, safety tapes and branding, and marketing tools, as it may have company logos printed on it. Instructional sealant tape may be used as an alternative to labeled boxes, and may also help prevent package pilferage.

Types and Materials

Printed tape is available in different tensile strengths and adheres to a variety of surfaces. Fonts and prints may be custom designed from a selection of inks. Common tape backing variations include polypropylene, PVC, polyesters, reinforced and non-reinforced gummy tape, and cloth materials. The adhesive materials include acrylics, hot melts, and natural rubber. Printed tape is fabricated for both indoor and outdoor use, with specific applications that include:

Branding and marketing: A printed tape featuring a company logo or design may be fabricated by manufacturers. Tape types may be printed with messages, and some suppliers accept the logo and other artwork in camera-ready format. Additionally, tape companies offer both an assortment of stock tape colors and custom-match options.
Identifying: Manufacturers often offer pre-printed messages on tape for shipment purposes and as standalone indicators, such as “caution” signs. Various manufacturers supply OSHA- compliant warning tape that can typically be applied both indoors and outdoors and are commonly fabricated with reflective materials.
Loss prevention: Printed tape is often required to draw attention to security and shipping instructions. Pre-printed tape can be designed for loss prevention use and can be fabricated so that it cannot be removed without detection. For example, some tape is constructed with an adhesive that remains when the tape is removed, leaving indicator messages such as “VOID.”

Electrical Tapes

Electrical tapes, also known as insulating tapes, are a type of pressure-sensitive tape that is wrapped around electrical wires to insulate them. They can also be used with other materials that conduct electricity. Electrical tapes do not conduct electricity, but instead, protect the wire or conductor from the elements as well as shielding the wires surroundings from electricity. They are made of many different plastics, but vinyl is most common since it has a good stretch and is long-lasting. Electrical tape may also be made of fiberglass cloth. Electrical tape is usually color-coded depending on the voltage it’s used with.

Filament Tapes

Filament tapes, also known as strapping tapes, are a type of pressure-sensitive tape that is made up of a pressure-sensitive adhesive on a backing material which is usually a polypropylene or polyester film with fiberglass filaments embedded to add high tensile strength. This tape is used in the packaging industry for closing corrugated fiberboard boxes, reinforcing packages, bundling items, and pallet unitizing. The fiberglass filaments make this tape exceptionally strong. Filament tapes can be applied manually as a part of a conveyor system with a stationary dispenser but are generally applied with a hand-held tape dispenser. Automated machinery for the application of tape on high-speed lines is also common. A variety of strength grades are available depending on the amount of fiberglass and the adhesive used. Some types of filament tapes have as much as 600 pounds of tensile strength per inch of width.

Considerations

Before the application of a tape, it is essential to check the substrate surface area to ensure that the space is oil-free and clear of contaminants that might affect the adhesive. Manufacturers advise checking the temperature application range, as colder temperatures may not be suitable for optimal adhesive strength. Application tools are available, although many tapes may be applied manually.

Tape is often sought for its transfer capability and is used for letter placement on logos or signs. For this type of application, suppliers fabricate the tape with a natural “low-tack” adhesive backing. To prolong the use of printed tape, it is essential to store them in a suitable (sterilized and dry) environment. As with all tape products, consult with the tape manufacturer to verify requirements.

Summary

This article presented an understanding of the different types of tape. For more information on related products, consult our other guides or visit the Thomas Supplier Discovery Platform to locate potential sources of supply or view details on specific products.