Adhesive Tapes Buyer Guide

Adhesive tape buyer guide

Adhesive tapes are found in practically every household across the UK – often in various forms, designed to tackle any number of everyday tasks. But when it comes to bigger DIY duties and home improvement projects, it’s important to know which tape to use for which purpose.

In this guide, we’ll be taking a look at the most common types of adhesive tapes available, along with their unique properties and intended applications.

What is an adhesive tape?

An adhesive tape is defined as a product that combines a strip of material with an adhesive film, which can be used to join objects together. A good quality adhesive tape can be used as a simple and convenient alternative to screws, nails, fasteners or even welding, depending on the requirements of the project.

Adhesive tapes have also become a staple feature in industrial, commercial and manufacturing environments worldwide, enabling businesses to accelerate and simplify any number of production processes.

What are adhesive tapes made of?

All sticky tapes are different, but share the same basic composition. Adhesive tapes comprise what is known as a backing or carrier (the primary material of the tape) along with an adhesive coating.  Common carrier materials used in the manufacture of adhesive tapes include foil, foam, plastic film, paper and cloth.

During the manufacture of adhesive tapes, it is essential to ensure that while the sticky coating provides the required adhesion when used, it does not adhere to the surface of the tape itself.

Types of adhesive tapes

The majority of sticky tapes are pressure sensitive, which means the properties of the adhesive layer are activated when the tape is pressed into place. However, other types of adhesive tapes feature sticky layers that are activated by heat or water.

Here’s a brief overview of the primary properties and distinguishing features of the four main types of adhesive tape:

Pressure sensitive tapes 

This is the most common type of adhesive tape, which is sticky at room temperature and can be applied to a wide variety of surfaces with no specialist tools or equipment required.

Pressure sensitive takes include packing tape, masking tape and double-sided tape.

Though extremely versatile and easy to use, pressure sensitive tapes may be unsuitable where temperatures fall below 59° F or above 95° F.

Heat-activated tapes

Most heat-activated tapes do not feel sticky or tacky at room temperature. Instead, they usually require high-temperatures of at least 180° F for the adhesive layer to be activated. Heat-activated tape is capable of creating a more robust and aggressive bond than pressure sensitive tape, making it ideal for challenging surfaces like rubber.

Non-adhesive tapes

As the name suggests, non-adhesive tapes do not feature an adhesive layer as they are designed to be self-adhering. The most common form of non-adhesive tape in a household setting being clingfilm.

Gummed tapes

Gummed tape features an adhesive layer which requires exposure to moisture to become active. It is an inexpensive and versatile type of adhesive used worldwide for closing and sealing boxes.

Adhesive tape alternatives

Applying the ideal adhesive can sometimes mean creating your own sticky tape combination. This is done applying a specific adhesive to a backing carrier layer, with the combination depending on the surfaces to be bonded.

The most common types of glues used for adhesive tapes are:

As for the backing or carrier, an extensive range of materials can be used to create your adhesive tape, including but not limited to:

  • Cloth
  • Paper
  • Felt
  • Foam
  • Metallic foil
  • Polyester
  • Silicone
  • PVC
  • Rubber
  • Fibreglass

Adhesive tape maintenance

The key to successful use of sticky tape lies in ensuring you read the manufacturer’s guidelines in full, before going ahead. There are also a few universal tips and pointers to be aware of, which include:

  1. Ensure the materials you are working with are clean, dry and free of all traces of dust and debris.
  2. Make sure that the ambient temperature and the surface temperatures of the materials you are working with are appropriate for the tape.
  3. Take your time to avoid creases, bubbles and other imperfections as you apply the tape, which could compromise the resulting bond.
  4. Different types of adhesive tapes have different curing times, so ensure you give the adhesive plenty of time to dry.
  5. Avoid the subsequent use of any cleaning products or agents that could damage or compromise the carrier material.

For more detailed information on care and maintenance, refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines supplied with your adhesive tape.