Stay with “Ana Chemistry Araz” to become familiar with different types of adhesive tape and their applications, ensuring the best purchase decision. Today, adhesive tape is widely used, and it’s hard to imagine a world without it. This journey started from very humble beginnings and has become known by various names – PSA tape, adhesive tape, pressure-sensitive tape, etc.
The history of adhesive tape dates back thousands of years. It first emerged with a cotton tape that was initially soaked in wet plaster. Now, pressure-sensitive adhesive tape remains a flexible strip made from various materials, and its selection depends on the intended application, typically including fabric, paper, metallic foil, or plastic, coated on one or both sides with an adhesive.
The earliest adhesive tape was introduced in 1943 by Vesta Stoudt, who worked in an ammunition factory. This factory sealed boxes with paper tape and melted wax. Concerned about boxes opening in the battlefield, Stoudt proposed a solution: to use waterproof fabric tape. Johnson & Johnson adapted surgical tape to Stoudt’s specifications, and soldiers referred to these tapes as “duck tape” due to their moisture-repellent properties.
After World War II, adhesive tape was utilized in the United States as a useful tool for home construction. People used it to connect metal air ducts, prompting the company to rename the product “packing tape” and produce it in a silver color made from powdered aluminum.
What is adhesive tape?
Adhesive tape falls into the category of multipurpose adhesives that can be used for bonding parts to different surfaces, insulation, safety of equipment, and more. Broadly defined, adhesive tapes are tapes designed in rolls, making them easy to use. These tapes are classified as pressure-sensitive, meaning they adhere to various objects when pressed by hand. They come in many different types and are generally highly flexible, allowing for the adhesion of both angled and non-angled surfaces.
How does adhesive tape work?
Adhesive tape uses what is known as pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) for its stickiness. PSA is a soft polymer mixture that helps bond two objects together through van der Waals forces. In 1998, the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory conducted experiments to see how different types of adhesive tape perform in sealed water channels compared to other products, finding that adhesive tape generally did not perform very well.
How is adhesive tape produced?
The production of adhesive tape is a complex process consisting of several stages. This process typically includes the following steps:
- Selection of raw materials: First, appropriate raw materials for tape production are chosen, which can include plastic, fabric, foam, cotton, and other materials.
- Cooking the materials: The selected raw materials are processed into various polymers and cooked in specific solvents to transform them into a firmer, suitable state.
- Formation of the tapes: After cooking, adhesive strips are produced using special machinery equipped with custom molds, followed by cutting them to the required lengths.
- Coating: Some adhesive tapes need a coating to provide properties such as water resistance, heat resistance, etc. These coatings can be applied using various coating methods, such as foil lamination or special chemicals.
- Packaging: After final production, adhesive strips are packaged as sheets or rolls for distribution to consumers.
The manufacturing stages of adhesive tape may vary depending on the type of tape and the production factory, but these stages are generally part of the production process for most adhesive tapes. Additionally, the quality of raw materials, production technology, and strict quality control at all stages of production significantly improve the quality and performance of the produced adhesive tape.
What materials is adhesive tape made from?
Adhesive tape creates weaker joints compared to other types of adhesives. However, it has broader applications than other adhesives. Adhesive tapes are known as a combination of a strip made from various materials and an adhesive coating. The compositions and components include a backing, also known as a carrier. Backings are made from various materials including:
- Paper
- Plastic tape
- Fabric
- Foil
- Felt
The adhesive material is applied to these backings. However, the main difference between various types of adhesive tape lies in the adhesive material that is placed on the backing. The various adhesive materials used on adhesive tape include:
- Acrylic, which has good environmental resistance and works faster compared to other materials.
- Epoxy resin, which has high durability against chemicals.
- Polyurethane, which is highly flexible and resistant to heat and damage.
- Silicone materials, which have high durability and thermal resistance.
Applications of adhesive tape
- Packaging: The primary use of adhesive tape is in packaging cartons and shipping parcels. These tapes are known as packaging tapes and have numerous applications in the transportation and delivery industry.
- Office and School: Adhesive tape is commonly used in offices and schools for sticking papers, book covers, chips, and similar items.
- Arts and Crafts: In crafting, adhesive tapes can be used to connect different parts together. Additionally, they are utilized in model-making.
- Kitchen Tasks: Adhesive tape can also be used for sealing certain packages, labels, etc., in the kitchen.
- Minor Repairs: For cases requiring minor repairs on items or patches on goods, adhesive tape can be used.
- Connecting Electronics and Insulating Wires: In some electronic applications, specific adhesive tapes are used for connecting components and insulating wires.
Different Types of Adhesive Tape
After gaining a general understanding of adhesive tapes and their components, it’s time to introduce and recognize their types:
Wide Packing Tapes: This type of adhesive tape is made of plastic and BOPP, primarily used for sealing cartons. Wide packing tapes are larger in size compared to other types.
Paper Tapes: These tapes are also part of the larger family of adhesive tapes. Their main characteristic compared to others is being hypoallergenic on the skin, making them widely used for medical applications. They are also used in the painting industry.
Regular Adhesive Tape: With a minimal fabric volume, a thin polyethylene film, and a lightweight adhesive, regular adhesive tape can effectively be used in applications that do not require long-lasting bonding.
Double-Sided Tapes: In this type of tape, both sides of the backing are covered with adhesive material. The most common use of this tape is to join two objects together without visible connection points. Double-sided adhesive tape is divided into thin and thick types. The thin type is used for delicate applications and light connections, while the thick type is used for heavier connections.
Electrical Tapes: We have all used or at least seen this type of adhesive tape. Its backing is generally plastic and made from vinyl, available in many colors, with black being the most common. This tape is used for insulating electrical and telephone wires.
Stationery Tapes: These tapes, also known as 18mm tape, have many applications and are widely found in offices, schools, and for home use.
Aluminum Foil Tapes: These tapes are among the most widely used in the industry, found in automotive, insulation, home appliances, and several other sectors. This tape is produced and offered in various widths to meet customer needs effectively.
Cloth Tapes: A roll of cloth tape is always present with American spacecraft crews. This type of adhesive tape is even referred to as mission tape, which has saved lives in many instances. This tape plays a crucial role in constructing carbon dioxide absorbers that help preserve astronauts’ lives.
Conclusion
Adhesive tape is a type of pressure-sensitive adhesive produced in various forms. This type of tape has a very good coating that covers the adhesive tape itself. The strip is made from various materials. The convenience and affordability of these tapes have made them widely used products in people’s lives today. However, the history of these tapes dates back thousands of years, with ancient Egyptians being among the first to use resin and wax for bonding various materials.
Remember that various types of adhesive tape can be categorized based on the raw material composition and application, with the most important and commonly used categories including regular or scotch tape, wide tape, paper tape, double-sided tape, electrician tape, and cloth tape, each with its unique characteristics.
This product comes in many varieties, and in this article, we have attempted to touch on some of the types and their applications.