Double-Coated Film Tape

A double coated tape carries adhesive on both faces of a thin film. That film is what separates it from an unsupported transfer tape. It holds the two adhesive layers a fixed distance apart, gives the tape enough body to handle and die-cut cleanly, and keeps caliper predictable across a run. Chemical Concepts stocks four Mactac double coated film tapes, two on 0.5 mil clear PET and two on 2.6 mil opaque white film, in aggressive XT rubber and HTA410 high tack acrylic adhesive systems. All four are supplied as 54 inch by 150 foot master rolls.

What a double coated tape is, and where transfer and foam tapes differ

Three constructions get mixed up. A transfer tape is unsupported adhesive with no carrier at all, so there is nothing in the bond line but glue. A double coated film tape puts adhesive on both sides of a thin PET or polypropylene film, which adds handling strength and dimensional stability without adding bulk. A double coated foam tape swaps that film for a compressible foam carrier, so it conforms to rough surfaces and fills gaps between parts that do not sit flush, at the cost of a thicker, more visible bond line.

None of the four grades here is an acrylic foam or VHB product. If the joint carries structural load in place of fasteners, start with high bond acrylic foam tapes instead.

Buyers searching for a high tack transfer tape often land here. When the part needs high tack and a carrier that survives die-cutting, the HTA410 grades below are the closer match. When it needs no carrier at all, see adhesive transfer tapes.

The four Mactac double coated tape grades, side by side

Coat weight is listed per side.

Clear carrier or opaque white carrier

The 0.5 mil clear PET grades, IB1178XT and IB4132, stay invisible in the bond line and keep total thickness down. Use them under transparent or light colored parts, and anywhere added caliper would show.

The 2.6 mil white grades block whatever sits behind them. IB1444XT, sold as Macbond White Out XT, was built for that: an opaque white carrier so a printed graphic reads clean instead of picking up a dark substrate underneath. Graphics and signage assembly, panel fabrication and magnet lamination are the usual work.

Rubber adhesive or acrylic adhesive

The XT rubber adhesive on IB1178XT and IB1444XT gives higher initial tack and better performance on low surface energy substrates, the polyethylene and polypropylene surfaces where acrylics struggle. IB1178XT runs a light 1.2 mil coat weight per side, which fits general purpose bonding to semi-smooth surfaces and less demanding work.

The HTA410 high tack acrylic on IB4132 and IB4432 goes the other way. It resists solvents and UV, holds better at higher service temperature, and takes instant adhesion to polyether polyurethane foams. At 2.4 mil per side it has the coat weight to work rough and uneven surfaces. It bonds ABS, polycarbonate, metals, most foams, fabrics and HDPE, which makes it the grade to start with when you need a double sided tape for metal or for a mixed substrate joint. Both HTA410 grades also handle and die-cut well.

Converting and die-cutting double coated tape master rolls

These are 54 inch master rolls, and the buyer is usually a converter or fabricator who slits to width, die-cuts finished parts, and ships them to an assembler. Liner choice drives that work as much as the adhesive does. IB1178XT runs a 60# white SCK liner, silicone coated on both sides, which releases predictably through winding and rewinding. The other three carry heavier 72# liners: poly coated Kraft on IB4132, bleached PCK on IB4432, and a white PCK on IB1444XT specified for dimensional stability so registration holds across a long run. Send us the finished part size and web width and we will confirm the grade slits and cuts the way you need.

Substrates and applications

• Graphics and signage assembly, printed panels and overlays
• Magnet lamination and flexible sign faces
• Nameplates, trim and badge attachment to metals and ABS
• Polyether polyurethane foam bonding in gasket and seal fabrication
• Fabric, felt and HDPE attachment
• Die-cut parts for appliance, transportation and electronics assembly

Related categories

For unsupported adhesive with no carrier, see adhesive transfer tapes. For a compressible carrier that fills gaps, see double sided foam tape. For structural mounting, see high bond acrylic foam tapes. Also see films and tapes, single sided tapes, rivet tape, and the full tape line one level up. Manufacturer data sheets are at mactac.com.

Need help choosing a grade

Tell us the two substrates, whether the carrier has to be clear or opaque, and what the part sees in service for temperature, solvents and UV. Call (800) 220-1966 or email [email protected] and we will match a grade to the joint, or send material to test first.