What Goes Into Making Adhesive Tape?

What Goes Into Making Adhesive Tape?

The humble adhesive tape has long been a staple on the job site, in junk drawers and in everyday life. But just like our cell phones have gotten smaller, faster and smarter, adhesive tape has evolved to be even more useful. It's now a versatile and handy tool that is nearly as common as running water. What was once a messy, permanent means of adhesion is now a fast, neat and easy way to do many things, such as wrapping packages or applying two-toned paint jobs.

Most people don't think much about what goes into making their favorite brand of tape, but the choice depends on a few important factors. For instance, not all tapes are created equal when it comes to the strength of their adhesives. If an adhesive is too weak, a piece of tape will come loose or fall off. If too strong, it will damage the surface it's trying to stick to.

To get the right adhesion, a lot of thought and experimentation goes into developing the right balance between all four components in a tape. Each tape has a carrier or backing, an adhesive, an adhesive primer and an undercoating. Backings vary by application, but can be paper, plastic film, cloth and more. The adhesives include hot melt, acrylic and pressure-sensitive adhesives. An undercoating is often a polyethylene layer for protection and to help the adhesive bond to the underlying material.

The adhesive itself can be a solid or liquid. Most adhesive tapes use a solid adhesive because it's easier to work with than a liquid one. With a little pressure, the solid adhesive turns into a thin, sticky substance that creates a physical bond with the substrate it's applied to.

Other types of adhesives are used in tapes, such as silicones, polyurethanes and isocyanates. These types of adhesives are usually more flexible and resistant to high temperatures.

Aside from the various types of adhesives, the other major component in most types of tape is the surface itself. Some of the most popular surfaces for tapes are non-slip grips, easy to write on surfaces and reinforced layers for extra strength.

Adhesive tape has many uses, from protecting surfaces while painting to preventing injuries during sports. It's no wonder that it's found in most offices, homes, shops and industries. In fact, there are now dozens of varieties of tapes available, each designed to serve its own unique purpose. They're probably the most popular and convenient tools ever invented.