Double-sided tape offers an attractive alternative to liquid glues. It can bond to many materials, delivering a nearly imperceptible adhesive line and reducing product bulk.
Tape performance depends on several factors, including load and environmental conditions. Knowing what kind of stress the adhesive will endure – tensile, shear, cleavage and peel force – is vital for selecting the best tape.
1. Experience
Double-sided adhesive tape is designed to stick two materials or surfaces together, and it is very handy for DIY, woodworking and other projects. However, choosing the right type is essential to achieve the best results.
Choose a heavy-duty tape that promises to hold up to 30 pounds or more. You should also pay attention to its temperature resistance. Tapes that are exposed to extreme cold or hot temperatures may lose their tackiness.
The thicker the double-sided tape, the stronger it is. Thick bonding systems usually feature a foam carrier, and they are better at adhering to unusual or non-uniform surfaces. They can also maintain their adhesion over a wide temperature range. These characteristics make them suitable for applications such as core-starting, splicing, and tabbing. Thinner tapes have a much simpler structure, with just adhesive and a liner.
2. Flexibility
Double sided tape comes in a wide variety of sizes, types and adhesive technologies. This means you can find an industrial adhesive tape solution to meet just about any bonding requirement. Unlike rivets or screws, it is easy to use and can help reduce assembly time.
Depending on the application, you may want a low-tack tape that can easily be removed or a permanent solution that will never release. There are also many different backings including paper, foam, film and tissue.
This is why it’s important to choose a reputable tape converter who can provide you with a wide range of options. Industrial adhesive tapes can be slit to width and die cut into specific shapes for a variety of applications like gap filling, vibration dampening, thermal sealing and more.
3. Adhesive strength
Double sided tapes are used for any two surfaces that need to be stuck tightly together without the use of glue or nails. They can be either temporary or permanent and are perfect for crafting, industrial, and household applications.
Different types of tapes are rated by their bonding strength and maximum load that they can hold. Thick options are preferable for rough or uneven surfaces while thinner ones work well on flat and smooth materials.
A good quality adhesive tape will not leave any ugly residue upon removal. Using a blow dryer or heat gun to warm up the area before removal will ensure that the tape peels off smoothly and cleanly. This will also improve the overall bond strength of the tape. Impatient users who rush the process will end up with a less than perfect job that may fail.
4. Temperature resistance
There is a wide range of double-sided tapes available with different temperature resistances, some of which are capable of withstanding extremely high temperatures. The type of adhesive on a particular double-sided tape also has an impact on temperature resistance.
For example, tesa’s heat-activated films (HAF) feature an elastomer and resin adhesive film that is stable at elevated temperatures, offering excellent adhesion for a range of products. This includes a number of industrial applications such as fixing point-of-sale stand and wooden moldings, bonding GRP roof skins and much more.
These tapes are ideal for use in a variety of applications and can be presented in specific die-cut shapes to aid precise application. They are suitable for many foam applications, rubber applications and most plastics.
5. Reliability
Double-sided tapes are used for a wide range of applications. From bonding things permanently and irreversibly to affixing them firmly for a short period of time, they are perfect for a lot of industrial, household, and crafting projects.
When choosing a quality tape, it’s important to consider the surface characteristics of the materials the user wants to stick together. This will help determine the strength, tackiness, and reliability of the tape.
Using top-quality tape also makes the process of applying and removing it easier. Premium products don’t leave behind messy residue when removed, especially if you warm them up first with a blow dryer or heat gun. They’ll also be able to endure harsh weather conditions, making them suitable for use in vehicles.
