HOME ABOUT US CONTACT RESOURCE CENTER REQUEST QUOTE / MORE INFORMATION FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Home Frequently Asked Questions Categories INDUSTRIAL TAPES INDUSTRIAL ADHESIVES PACKAGING PRODUCTS SELF-WOUND OVERLAMINATES Frequently Asked Questions What is pressure-sensitive tape? Tape that has a backing that`s coated with an adhesive on one or both sides. In the case of a double-sided tape, a release liner would be used to prevent the roll of tape from adhering to itself. What are the different components of a tape? Backing: A thin, flexible material that can be coated with adhesive. Can be made of paper, fabric, film foam, foil, laminate or non-woven material. Adhesive: Types include natural or synthetic rubber, acrylic and silicones. Primer: Used to increase the bond of the adhesive to the backing. Assists in keeping the adhesive on the backing when a tape is removed. Release Liner: Usually used for double-sided tapes. Sometimes found on single-sided tapes as well. Siliconized paper is the main type of release liner. Siliconized film is also used in applications requiring greater flexibility and high-tensile strength. Release Coating: Applied to the backing. Allows the tape to unwind from the roll. Without a release coating, the tape would adhere to its own backing and wouldn`t unwind. How is tape applied? Pressure-sensitive tapes require pressure to ensure bonding. (For example: masking tape needs your finger or hand to secure it to a surface.) For maximum adhesion, even pressure should be applied. Bonding should take place at a moderate temperature (68-72 degrees F, 20-22 degrees C). Note that acrylic tapes don`t typically achieve their maximum adhesion until after 72 hours of dwell time. Some tapes may even take up to 7-15 days due to the high level of adhesive cross-linking. Bonding to Low Surface Energy Surfaces: For hard-to-stick-to surfaces, such as Teflon, silicone or polyethylene, you can increase the adhesive strength by pre-treating the surface with a method specifically sited to the material in question. Bonding to High Surface Energy Surfaces: With easy-to-stick-to surfaces, sometimes additives can migrate to the surface in get in the way of the adhesive. Therefore, it is recommended that a compatibility test be done ahead of time. Bonding to Metal Surfaces: Check first on non-ferrous metals (i.e., lead, copper, brass and nickel) before adhering tape. A chemical reaction could occur and alter the surface polarity. How should surfaces be prepared? For optimal adhesion, surfaces must be clean, dry and grease, oil and lint-free. Try cleaning with esters (like ethyl acetate or acetone), ketones (like MEK) or naptha-based products. How should pressure-sensitive tapes be stored? To retain their properties while in storage, pressure-sensitive tapes should be kept in the following conditions: 68-72 degrees F, 20-22 degrees C 50% relative humidity Rolls should be stored flat in their original packaging and away from direct sources of UV light Logs and spooled rolls should be stored to prevent distortion. What are common tests or properties of pressure-sensitive tapes? Adhesion: Tests the strength of the bond between a tape and the application surface. Cohesion: Tests the internal strength of an adhesive. Shear: Tests the ability of an adhesive to resist slippage or creep. Tensile Strength: Tests the force or load needed to break a tape. Elongation: Tests how much stretching a tape can endure before it breaks. Thickness: Determines the distance between the two opposite surfaces of the whole tape. ABOUT EVANS EVCO Evans/EVCO is your answer to the converting and distribution of commercial packaging products, adhesives and pressure-sensitive materials (tapes). Here, you`ll find a broad range of products and services-both standard and customized. You`ll find that with no high minimum requirements, no job is too big or too small. And here, you`ll find dedication, innovative solutions and excellent customer service. From bonding to masking, Evans/EVCO is here to fulfill your needs. If you need surface protect ... Read More QUICK LINKS HOME ABOUT US CONTACT INDUSTRIAL TAPES NEWS ISO CERTIFICATION OUR LOCATION ©2020 EVANS EVCO, INC. | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | PRIVACY POLICY | SITE MAP - WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT BY WYSIWYG MARKETING, LLC.