Smart questions to ask before selecting an industrial adhesive tape

(BPT) – When it comes time to choose an industrial tape, there’s a lot of technical data to evaluate to make sure you’re choosing the right bonding strength that’s best suited for the job at the most cost-effective price. As you finalize the design of your project, the following can help you narrow which type of industrial adhesive tape is the best choice.

How to choose the right industrial PSA tape

Choosing the right tape isn’t a matter of trial and error. Having a familiarity of the technical questions that go into choosing a tape can get you closer to your final selection more quickly.

Choosing an industrial pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) tape can provide the bonding you need, while having many advantages over liquid industrial adhesives. Industrial tape reaches handling strength more quickly and bonds unlike materials without damaging surfaces. To help you streamline assembly, a custom converter can cut industrial tape to the length, size and shape you need for your project, as well as fabricate a custom double-sided industrial tape.

To ensure you’re using the best adhesive tape to fasten and/or protect in the most demanding conditions, look for a 3M Preferred Converter. That way, you’ll work with experts who have the training and access to technical support to guide you to the best selection of industrial adhesive.

[Download 6 things to look for in a converting partner click here]

As you finalize your design, here are some questions to answer:

What’s the end use of your industrial adhesive tape?

The starting point in your choice of industrial adhesive tape is knowing its job. Oftentimes, it’s to join materials, or to offer protection. Sometimes, it’s both.

• Bonding and sealing: When joining materials, whether it’s a panel to frame assembly, or splicing materials into a single unit, industrial tapes can provide the bond the project demands.
• Protection: Industrial tapes can be used for masking to protect critical surfaces during manufacturing and shipping.
• Bonding and protecting: Electrical insulation and ESD: Industrial adhesives can provide EMI shielding, while holding components in place.

Which pressure-sensitive adhesive is best for your industrial application?

There are three main types of adhesive used in pressure-sensitive adhesives, each with their own chemistries

• Acrylic: A good all-purpose adhesive that can withstand high heat.
• Silicone: Another high-heat adhesive.
• Rubber: A cost-effective option that has higher tack than acrylic, but is less resistant to UV rays and high-temperature environments.

To ensure your industrial tape holds up to the conditions — and to avoid product failure — answer the following questions.

Sticking surface of the industrial tape

• Is the substrate smooth or uneven? A rough surface requires a thicker adhesive to ensure better coverage, and possibly a foam carrier.
• What’s the material makeup of the substrate? Different chemistries of adhesive perform differently with various surfaces. When it comes to double-sided industrial tape, for example, you’ll need to evaluate the adhesive’s ability to adhere to each material. In most cases, acrylic tape can cover a wide range of needs and projects. When it comes to a silicone substrate, a silicone adhesive is your best bet.

Conditions and environment of the project

Which conditions must the adhesive and materials withstand? Think about what the material will be exposed to, and conduct a technical analysis to ensure you have chosen the correct industrial PSA for the job.

• What’s the temperature range of the end product’s environment? What is the length of the exposures for minimum and maximum temperature?
• Would the adhesive and carrier require a flame rating?
• Would the product be exposed to weather? UV exposure, moisture, humidity and temperature fluctuations can all cause certain adhesives to fail early. 
• Would the material be exposed to any solvents or chemicals? If so, you’ll want industrial tape that can maintain its hold and seal in these demanding conditions.

Bonding requirements: Permanent or temporary?

Would your industrial tape need to make a permanent bond or a temporary bond? 

Temporary applications, such as masking, surface protection and manufacturing, call for an industrial tape that not only applies easily, it should also have easy removal without causing damage to the surface of the substrate. 

In applications that call for extreme bonding power, there are two main considerations once the tape is applied to the substrate:

• Shear strength: Will the tape slide or lift in response to force or pressure? 
• Peel strength: When you peel away the tape, does the substrate come with it?

Now that you know some of the considerations that go into choosing the best industrial tape for your application, you can lean on the experienced experts at Evans EVCO. We’re a 3M Preferred Converting Partner, which provides us access to the materials and technical support to take your design to the next step. 

Ready to choose an industrial tape for your custom converter project? Request a quote today from Evans EVCO.