Selecting Your Mixed Tapes

(Somebody stop me and these punny titles!)

I'd say that most people don't put much thought into their tape selection during a mundane trip to Home Depot.

I'd say most people think it's called "duck" tape too. (Yes, it IS safe to laugh and point at these cretins.)

Let's quickly review what's up when you're down with adhesive tape.

Tape is usually an alternative to other assembly methods and in many instances is used liberally as a crack-pot fix-all.

"Cute." via There I Fixed It

Adhesive tape can be easier for production operation and automation compared to processes using a liquid adhesive, which must be sprayed, rolled or otherwise dispensed onto the parts before bonding. In adhesive tapes, the adhesive is preapplied to a uniform backing material that enables the tape to be handled with web processing equipment. The disadvantage of adhesive tape is its inferior strength compared to brazing, welding or mechanical fastening.

Adhesive tapes typically consist of an adhesive-coated backing called a carrier. Single-sided tape is used to attach overlapping or adjoining materials where the tape is used to splice or seam the materials together. Double-sided tape is coated with adhesive on both sides and allows the joining of items back-to-back. Transfer tape consists of a single layer of adhesive without any backing. Transfer tape can also join parts between mating surfaces in a back-to-back or butt joint fashion.

Adhesive tapes and films are available with a variety of features. Some are chemically resistant, thermally insulating or electrically conductive. Others are permanent, removable, repositionable or protective. Safety products are reflective, highly visible and provide warnings about unsafe conditions. Weather resistant products are suitable for outdoor use. Transparent products allow the transmission of light.

Dearest CR4 reader, are you now prepared for my shameless plug?

Too bad.

GlobalSpec's selection tutorial on adhesive tape should answer all the questions you have, but are too embarrassed to ask about adhesive tape. (Oh, if only your parents had that awkward talk with you about weather-resistant silicone tape…)