Choosing the Right Tape – An Overview of Common Specialized Tapes
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High bond tapes and double sided tapes are perhaps the two most common styles of tape in industries such as sign making, construction, electronics, and appliances. These two tapes tend to be the best options when versatility and strength are what you’re looking for.
In this blog, however, we’ll cover some of the more specialized tapes, like banner tape and heat tape, to name two of the five. Keep in mind too that there can be some overlap as certain tapes can fit multiple profiles at the same time, like double sided foam tape for instance (see Chem-Set VST 6120 47mil Acrylic Foam Polyliner Tape).
Banner Tape
Banner tape, like the Tesa Banner Tape – White-4970 is used for purposes true to its name: mounting or hanging banners, posters and the like. These tapes are almost exclusively for indoor use but can be surprisingly durable, strong, and resistant to high temperatures. The Tesa 4970, pictured below, can withstand 212 degrees F consistently and can even stay intact in temperatures approaching 400 degrees F for a short period of time.
Masking Tape
Masking tapes, like the Tesa 4334 Precision Masking Tape, are ideal for the indoor painting process and are suitable for surfaces such as glass, aluminum, wood, and hard PVC. Tesa’s 4334 product is particularly advantageous for indoor workings where a razor-sharp paint edge is preferred. Masking tapes are usually very thin tapes that can be coated with an acrylic adhesive and can be removed without hassle, even up to five months after application.
V-Groove Tape
V-Groove Tape, a highly specialized tape often used in fabricating and wood working, blankets V-groove cuts on solid surfaces and provides a quick and sure seal, all be it a temporary one, considering the nature of V-Groove applications. The Chem-Set PES-32G 2 In. V-Groove tape has a working temperature range of 35 – 130 degrees F and includes an aggressive hot melt, rubber-based adhesive that ensures instant holding power.
Heat Tape
Heat tape is yet another self-explanatory tape type that stays true to its namesake. These tapes are ideal for seals and bonds that are prone to high heat. They typically also have other characteristics that make them most suitable for areas like stoves and countertops, like:
- Thermally conductive
- Moisture and chemical resistant
- Flame resistant
- Heat and light reflective
- Vibration dampening
The Chem-Set Aluminum Foil Heat Tape (pictured below) is used best when bridging the gap between solid surfaces and heat or moisture transmitting appliances, like a stove top. This particular heat tape from Chem-Set comes in a 2 inch, 60 yard roll.
Foam Tape
Foam tape, our last variety of specialized tape, is used often for the mounting of lighter components like plastic, aluminum and glass. Given their makeup, these tapes can dampen noises or vibrations, which is why they are sometimes used with electronic applications.
See the Tesa PE Foam Tape.
For more information about tape and their accessories, don’t hesitate to contact our sales team!
[email protected] – 800.220.1966