Glossary

A type of backing used in electrical insulation tapes. This backing offers excellent absorption of electrical insulation resins and varnishes. View acetate cloth tapes here.

The ability of a tape to withstand rubbing and friction and still function satisfactorily.

When the deterioration of a tape from natural ageing is accelerated and simulated in the laboratory.

An aspect of accelerated ageing; a tape is placed in a chamber and exposed to ultraviolet light, heat, and water whereby the effect of exposure to outdoor conditions on a tape can be measured.

A transparent film which is used for various reasons as a tape backing. Its primary characteristic is that it is more moisture resistant than cellophane.

Automated pick and place equipment for placement of difficult to handle adhesive components. Find out more here.

A synthetic polymer with excellent ageing characteristics that can be used either as a single component adhesive or a coating or saturate, depending upon composition.

Synthetic polymer with excellent ageing characteristics that can be used as a component adhesive.

Adhesion is the interaction that develops between two dissimilar bodies when they are in contact. At the molecular level, adhesion is based on physical and in some cases chemical bonding. The strength of adhesion depends on the type of adhesive. Pressure sensitive adhesives build up adhesion under light pressure. The ultimate bonding strength is reached after 24-72 hours. Read our tips on getting the optimum adhesion from your adhesive tape. 

An increase in the peel adhesion value of a pressure-sensitive tape after it has been allowed to adhere to the applied surface.

The bond produced to the backing of the same tape or another tape backing.

A study to determine the degree of adhesion to skin of medical tapes or adhesives for up to 96 hours. Additionally, the amount of residue remaining on the skin after the material removal is assessed. For more information go to our device attachment to skin and wound care pages.

Adhesives are polymer materials that are used to join dissimilar materials. Adhesives may be classified in many ways, e.g. by mode of application and setting, chemical composition, cost, and suitability for various adherents and end products. The term “pressure sensitive adhesive” (PSA) is used to describe adhesives that are permanently tacky in dry form at room temperature. The most common pressure sensitive adhesives are acrylics, natural rubber/resin, and synthetic rubber/thermoplastic rubber.

Adhesive failure describes the separation of adhesive either from backing or from the substrate. The other basic failure mechanism of an adhesive bond is “cohesive failure” which refers to a fracture in the middle of the bulk adhesive. Learn more in our guide to using adhesive tapes.

Adhesive which is pulled away from the tape and remains on the surface to which the tape was applied.

The transfer of adhesive from its normal position on the tape to the surface to which the tape was attached, either during unwind or removal.

Ageing resistance is the degree of reliable performance of the tape over time, under certain conditions. Depending on the adhesive system being used, adhesive tapes are often usable for permanent applications. This permanence is reflected by the resistance of the adhesive against ozone (O3), oxygen (O2), UV light, temperature, humidity, water and different kinds of chemicals. Generally acrylic adhesives are much better suited to withstand these environmental influences than rubber adhesives and can maintain their permanent, reliable functionality over many years.

The specific adhesion of a pressure sensitive adhesive to a face material or an anchor coat.

Bisco™ is a high performance silicone foam offering characteristics such as high resistance to temperature extremes, UV and ozone, high resilience to mechanical fatigue and excellent compression-set and creep resistance. See our foam and rubber page here for more information.

An undesired adhesion between touching layers of material, usually due to extreme conditions of pressure, temperature, or humidity.

The force required to break a unit width of tape under prescribed conditions.

The ability of a tape to resist damage when a force is applied evenly and perpendicularly to the surface of a tape.

Materials which “carry” the adhesive. The backing also reinforces the adhesive tape and improves handling and processing properties. Most commonly used backing types are film backings (e.g. PET, PP, PVC, PE), paper based backings (e.g. non-woven, tissue), foam backings (e.g. PU, PE and PVC foams).

A specialty adhesive tape type is a transfer tape which has no backing. The adhesive is directly coated on the liner.

The uncoated side or side opposite the adhesive coating. For a double coated tape, the side in contact with the liner after unwinding.

A material applied to the backside of a tape to provide a release surface or heat seal property.

A polyester film backing used in electrical insulation tapes. View composite film tapes here.

The operation of changing a jumbo roll of adhesive tape into a finished product by slitting, short roll winding and die-cutting. Parafix has over 45 years experience as a tape converting specialist; read more about our converting capabilities here.

The inner cylinder of cardboard or plastic on which the tape is wound.

The ability of an elastomeric adhesive, coating, or sealer acting as an insulator to withstand the effects of high voltage discharge. Indications of failure appear as surface cracks.

This is the method to modify the surface of a substrate to provide better anchorage of the adhesive. Corona treatment is an atmospheric plasma treatment. It is applied to non polar/low energy surfaces to facilitate the anchorage of the adhesive.

The slow movement of the adhesive or backing under shear stress.

Paper which has small regular folds in it giving it a higher stretch than a flat back paper of the same weight.

The development of a three dimensional structure within an adhesive to improve cohesive strength, temperature, oil or solvent resistance.

To alter the properties of an adhesive by chemical reaction, which may be condensation, polymerisation, or vulcanisation. Usually accomplished by the action of heat and catalysts, alone or in combination, with or without pressure.

The tendency of a tape to curl back on itself when unwound from the roll and allowed to hang from the roll.

Stands for Computer Aided Design. It is the use of computer programmes to produce 2D or 3D graphical representations of physical objects.  These programmes enable the user to perform calculations and analyse component design variants for determining an optimum shape and size for the final output. This minimises the requirement for tooling and physical prototypes at your component design stage. Parafix offer this capability in house, learn more here.

Thickness of a tape, backing, or adhesive, usually measured in mils (1/1000 of an inch).

The base material onto which a pressure sensitive adhesive is applied, on both faces, to produce a double-sided tape.

A thin transparent film manufactured from wood pulp.

A clean room is an environment with a controlled level of dust and other contaminants. Parafix has a class 7 clean room; compliant with BS EN ISO 14644-1, for the manufacturing of automotive, electrical and healthcare components. Learn more here.

The surface of the adhesive on a double sided tape, which normally remains in contact with the release liner on unwinding.

Is the surface of a release liner, which normally remains in contact with the adhesive on unwinding.

Fabric with a rubber or plastic back coating. Examples are insulation tapes (including glass cloth and acetate cloth) and medical tapes (nonwovens). Browse our range of single sided cloth tapes here. 

The amount of a solution applied to a sheet in the tape making process. The units are usually grains per 24 square inches.

Cohesion describes the inner strength of the adhesive. It mainly determines the holding power (shear resistance) of the tape.

Cohesive failure leaves adhesive residue on both the PSA tape backing and the laminated surface, showing that the adhesive broke internally. Use an easy check with your finger: it sticks on both the substrate and the tape.

The tendency of a pressure-sensitive adhesive to act like a heavy viscous liquid over periods of time. Such phenomena as oozing and increases in adhesion are the result of this characteristic.

Usually describes the colour of a tape when looking at the backing, regardless of the colour of the adhesive.

The ability of a tape to retain its original colour, particularly when exposed to light.

The process of subjecting material to specific temperatures and relative humidity conditions for a stipulated period of time.

The backing of an adhesive tape influences its ability to adhere to curved, rough or irregular surfaces. Conformable backings increase the contact area of adhesive and substrate. Foam backings are inherently conformable and can therefore compensate for surface irregularities between the two bonding substrates.

The increase of length of a piece of tape after it has been stretched without breaking and allowed to recover.

Where the liner separates from the tape.

The measure of the maximum voltage stress that a single layer of tape can withstand before dielectric failure occurs, the test being carried out under prescribed conditions.

Correlates with humidity of liners. Dimensional stability prevents the liner from showing an irregular surface or dimensional change due to absorption of moisture. Dimensionally stable liners are mainly:

• PE coated paper liners
• Film liners

See double-sided tape.

See double-sided tape.

Comprised of a backing material coated with adhesive on both sides. Usually one adhesive layer is covered with a release liner (closed side) in order to wind the PSA tape in roll form. In double sided tape production the backing is often pre-treated with a primer to enable a maximum anchorage between backing and adhesive.

View our range of double sided materials here.

Dual Lock™ is a 3M™ reclosable fastening system that is up to 12 times stronger than regular hook and loop systems. They offer temporary and invisible fastening for various applications, such as those within point of sale, signage and transportation.

The length of time a tape sample is allowed to remain in contact with any specific testing surface before the test begins.

A tendency of some tape backings to return to their original length after being elongated.

The extensible property of adhesive films or adhesive interfaces to contract and expand in such a manner as to overcome the differential contraction and expansion rates that the bonded adherends may exhibit.

An elastic, polymeric substance, such as natural or synthetic rubber.

The voltage at which breakdown of the tape occurs under the prescribed conditions of test, divided by the distance apart of the two electrodes between which the voltage is applied.

A measure of the tape’s corrosive effect on an electrical conductor, particularly copper. This is particularly important in the selection of tapes for electrical insulation.

The amount a tape has stretched lengthwise at the point of breaking. It is expressed as a percentage of the original unstretched length.

Where electro-magnetic interference and radio frequency interference is shielded in electronic devices. This can be achieved using various materials, including copper and aluminium tapes. Learn more here.

See release coating.

The peeling back or lifting of the outer edge of a tape after application.

These are materials containing small holes (cells) distributed throughout the entire body. They can be either closed cell or open cell. Most common foams are:

• AC foam
• Ethylene-vinylacetate-foam (EVA)
• Polyurethane-foam (PU)
• Polyethylene-foam (PE)

Browse our foam materials here.

The side of the backing on which the adhesive is coated. For a double-coated tape; the side first exposed after unwinding.

Any paper, film, fabric, laminate, or foil material suitable for converting into pressure sensitive material stock. In the finished construction this web is bonded to the adhesive layer and becomes the functional part of the tape construction.

When a tape pulls completely from the surface to which it is applied and drops off.

A weakness resulting from stress created by repeated flexing or impact force upon the adhesive-adherend interface.

Thin, longitudinal threads of glass, polyester, nylon, or other high strength materials. View our filament reinforced tapes here.

Uniform, homogeneous, plastic webs. Learn more on our single sided film tape and medical grade film pages.

Relatively small deformations (pockmarks) in the adhesive caused by the entrapment of air between layers in the roll. These are not an indication of a quality defect.

A peeling away from the surface or tape backing of the end of a length of tape, particularly in a spiral wrap application.

This is the ability of a tape to withstand exposure to flame. Fireproof materials will not burn even when exposed to flame. Flame-resistant (fire-retardant, self-extinguishing) materials will burn when exposed to flame, but will not sustain the burn after the flame is removed.

Method for modifying the surface of a substrate to provide better anchorage of an adhesive to a non polar backing by flame.

A term used to describe a smooth paper backing for a tape to distinguish it from crepe paper backings.

The ability of a tape to be freely bent or flexed during application, particularly applicable in low temperature use.

The distortion of a roll of tape such that the layers no longer form a circle.

An opening between layers within a roll.

A high strength tape offering insulation and protection against high temperatures and/or flame. They also provide solvent and abrasion resistance. View our glass cloth insulating tapes here. We also offer acetate cloth tapes.

The glass transition temperature (TG) is the temperature at which the adhesive becomes brittle. It is important that the application temperature is distinctly above the TG of the adhesive (e.g. resealable bags that are stored in the fridge or freezer as it can prevent a safe reclosure of the bag). Learn more about storing your adhesive tape here. 

The measure of the reflectiveness of a tape backing, generally expressed by such terms as glossy, low gloss, dull, etc. A more specific definition is on the Gardner scale which measures absorption of light reflected from a beam with a stated angle of incidence.

Converting equipment commonly used to laminate and sheet adhesive materials. Learn more here.

Property of tapes which allows manual cutting or tearing without the use of additional equipment such as knife, scissors or dispenser. Both liner and backing must be tearable.

A term usually used to characterise highly cohesive adhesive tapes. Advantages (compared to soft adhesives) include:

• Higher holding power
• Withstands higher sustained loads
• Good temperature resistance
• Less edge picking
• Improved die- cuttability

Disadvantages include:

• Low initial tack and adhesion;requires higher contact pressure
• Not suited for rough surfaces

A type of adhesive that is rendered tacky by application of heat and forms a bond on cooling. Browse our heat activated films here.

The ability of a tape to withstand a specified temperature under well defined conditions.

An adhesive film intended to be reactivated by the application of physical or chemical changes caused by exposure to high temperatures.

When the tape release from the liner is difficult, or above the expected result.

Unwinding or dispensing of tapes at a relatively high speed, usually over 15 metres per minute.

The ability of the adhesive to resist forces applied in the same plane as the tape.

A pressure sensitive adhesive applied to the backing in a hot molten form, which cools to form a conventional pressure sensitive adhesive.      

Moisture or even humidity can affect the performance of an adhesive, especially if applied under wet or very humid conditions. In this instance, the adhesive absorbs the humidity, which leads to reduced adhesion performance. This effect occurs especially with water-based acrylics, which should not be used under those conditions. In general an adhesive tape is humidity resistant when it resists contact with humid air or even water without negative effects on the adhesion properties.  Humidity can also damage paper liners and lead to ‘bubbles’ on the surface of the tape. All acrylics have a good humidity resistance and filmic liners are more dimensionally stable than paper ones. Read our guide on the correct storage of your adhesive tape. 

Stands for ‘heating, ventilation and air conditioning’.

A tendency of some materials to readily absorb moisture from the atmosphere.

The IP in “IP rating” stands for “Ingress Protection”. The IP rating refers to the robustness of a product to ingress of moisture and dust. Any enclosure should have an IP rating that classifies the design relative to application needs. 

The ability of tape to prevent the flow of electrical current across its surface of the backing. Electrical insulation materials can be viewed here. 

See release liner.

See release liner.

The ability of a tape to resist sudden impacts, pulls, or shocks as may sometimes be encountered by packages in transit or portable devices. Our range of foam tapes and VHB tapes are ideal for impact absorption.  

Tapes which are used for electrical insulation. For more information, visit our electrical insulation tapes page.

A large roll of tape or backing which is wound up as the material emerges from the coater or treatment. It is later converted.

Kapton® is the brand name for a polyimide film produced by DuPont. Browse our non-adhesive electrical insulation materials here.

A type of die-cutting where the cutter is adjusted to only cut the material and leave the liner or backing untouched.

A sulphate wood pulp paper.

The bond between the adhesive and the carrier or backing.

See prime coat.

Failure of an adhesive bond such that separation is at the interface of adhesive and carrier or backing.

Low adhesion backsize.

Pressure sensitive materials which are usually printed, frequently die cut, furnished in roll or sheet form with an interleave, and intended for use as labels.

A combination of two or more materials, which function as one backing on web. Learn more about laminating here.

A joint made by lapping one material over another to provide a mated area that can be joined with an adhesive.

Utilising laser technology to cut material. Often used to cut small and complicated geometries and to produce samples without tooling. Learn about our laser cutting capabilities here.

A stain in a surface to which tape has been applied, which does not become noticeable until sometime after the tape is removed, usually after the surface has been exposed to sunlight or heat.

A situation where a section of tape has pulled away from the surface to which it has been applied, even though no outside stress is applied.

Anti-adhesive material which covers the adhesive on a double sided tape and prevents the adhesive from sticking to itself. The liner is used as a protection aid during handling, processing and storage. Most commonly used liner types are:

• Paper liners (e.g. glassine paper, PE-coated paper, clay-coated paper)
• Film liners (e.g. PP, PET, PE)

Silicone is used as a release system to avoid adhesion between liner material and adhesive.

The tape release from the liner is easy, or below the expected result.

The ability of a fibre or tape to return to its original form after being stressed or elongated.

Thin flexible sheets of metal, such as aluminium, copper and lead used as tape backings because of their inherent properties such as weather resistance, electrical conductivity and reflectivity. Browse our single sided foil tapes here.

The molecular movement over a long period of time of an ingredient from one surface to another when both are in contact. Migration may occur between tape components and the surface to which applied. Some plastic films (e.g. PVC) contain plasticisers which are apt to migrate into the tape adhesive, causing the adhesive to soften. Other ingredients like foaming, vulcanisation, age-resistant agents used for flexible seals migrate into the tape and can compromise the bond.

One thousand square inches.

The moisture vapour transmission rate; a measure of the rate of water vapour transmission through a pressure sensitive product usually measured in grams/square meter/24 hours.

The brand name for a polyester film made by DuPont. Browse non-adhesive insulation materials here.

Component of adhesives, not inherently self-adhesive. Resins, so called “tackifiers” need to be added to achieve self adhesive properties.

Nomex® is the brand name for an inherently flame-resistant aramid fibre that is manufactured by DuPont. For more information visit our non-adhesive insulation materials page or view our full range of insulation tapes here.

Critical surfaces to adhere to due to low surface energy. The lower the surface energy the lower the molecular attraction to the adhesive (adhesion). Typical materials are polyolefins such as PP and PE, but also PS, EVA and many powder painted surfaces. By surface pretreatment (e.g. corona treatment) the polarity can be modified to achieve higher surface energy and improved adhesion. Use of primers will also act as adhesion promoters.

Paper and polymer fibre based backing material for adhesive tapes.

To prevent moisture from passing through.

Layers of tape are in correct alignment, but tape is displaced sideways on core.

The movement of a component of a tape, usually the adhesive, from its backing; this transfer may occur during unwinding of tape, or on removal of the tape from a substrate.

A ‘squeezing out’ of the adhesive at the edge of the tape, caused by “cold flow” of a soft adhesive.

The ability of a tape to prevent the transmission of light.

The surface of the adhesive on a double sided tape which is exposed on normal unwinding or separation.

The surface of a release liner which is exposed on normal unwinding or separation.

Is a tape with a transparent, film-free isotropic adhesive, formulated specifically for electronic displays, that allows accurate colour and full display brightness while providing a long lasting, high strength bond. Browse optically clear tapes here.

The chemical ingredients evaporating from adhesives (e.g. monomer residues, solvents, etc.), especially under elevated temperature conditions. Often a concern in the automotive, aerospace and electronics industries, where chemical residues could affect electric circuits, for example. Browse low outgassing tapes here.

Polyurethane (PU) is a versatile material resistant to moisture, bacteria, chemicals and abrasion. It can be used for medical purposes as a breathable backing for wound dressing and device fixation, and as foam or rubber for a range of applications for gasketing, sealing, gap filling and cushioning.

A term used to describe a category of tape coated on one or both faces with a pressure sensitive adhesive. It is permanently tacky at room temperature and requires no activation by water, solvent or heat to adhere to a variety of surfaces upon contact. In some cases the adhesive may be further cured by heating after application. The bond strength may be increased by pressure and/or time.

A coating on the adhesive side of the backing, which serves as a bonding agent between adhesive and backing.

A coating applied to a surface (e.g. backing or a substrate) to prepare it for the application of an adhesive, improving bond performance between backing and adhesive or between tape and substrate. Learn more about surface preparation here.

The ability of a tape to accept and hold a printed legend and especially to resist offsetting of the print when unwound from a roll.

PTFE stands for Polytetrafluoroethylene and is a high-temperature tape used in applications requiring consistent performance and minimum shrinkage across a wide range of temperatures. They are extremely resistant to chemicals and have high arc resistance. Browse PTFE tapes here.

Polar substrate which is easy to adhere to. Often used as a backing available in varying degrees of hardness. Suitable for electrical insulation and cable harnessing applications.

The force required to peel a strip of tape from a substrate at a specified angle and speed.

An adhesive that has been designed to remain permanently in position under the specified service conditions.

To allow gasses or moisture to pass through.

Very small defects in a tape, which may permit the passage of light, electricity or water vapour, the minute holes may be in the backing and/or the adhesive.

The softening of an adhesive when exposed to migrating plasticisers or oils.

A tough durable plastic film having excellent resistance to oils, chemicals and many solvents. It has excellent abrasion resistance. It can also be coloured. Its high stretch is due to the addition of a plasticiser.

The ability of an adhesive tape to maintain its properties under influence of plasticisers. In contact with plasticisers (e.g. a component of foam materials or soft PVC) the adhesive performance of adhesive tapes can be affected, especially with rubber based adhesives. Adhesive tapes with a film backing sometimes perform better since the film layer acts as a barrier against migration of plasticisers. Important for applications on EPDM or soft PVC profiles for instance.

Uncritical surfaces to adhere to due to high surface energy. On these substrates the high molecular attraction between adhesive and substrate leads to increased adhesion. Most common materials are PET, PC, PVC, ABS, steel, aluminium, glass etc.

Covered with a layer of polyethylene film, usually applied as a liquid on paper for adhesive liner use.

A strong non-stretchable film, having good resistance to moisture, solvents, oils, caustics and many other chemicals.

A tough, stretchy film having very good low temperature characteristics.

A strong film with electrical, thermal, chemical and mechanical properties, which can withstand extreme temperatures and demanding environments. Browse polyimide products here.

A large molecule built up of repetitive smaller chemical units, commonly used in adhesive compounding.

A general term used to cover a family of resins such as polyethylene and polypropylene.

A cousin of polyethylene, with similar properties, but stronger and having a higher temperature resistance.

A usually thin transparent film with excellent resistance to acids, water and organic solvents. Usually formulated with a migratable plasticiser to make it flexible.

Poron™ is a high performance polyurethane foam offering characteristics such as excellent compression-set resistance, low outgassing, non-fogging, is flame retardant, non-corrosive to metal and will not become brittle and crumble. For more information see our foam and rubber page here.

Permeability of a surface (tape backing) to a liquid or gas or a measure of percentage void space within a material such as foam.

The unwanted separation of a tape from its release liner during unwinding.

A type of adhesive, which is permanently tacky at room temperature and when applied to a variety of surfaces, forms an immediate bond. The bond strength may be increased by pressure and/or time. Browse tapes here.

A term that refers to the width and spacing arrangement of strips of adhesive laid down parallel to machine direction and across the width of pressure sensitive stock during its production.

Large singular upheavals in the outer layers of a roll of tape.

Initial Adhesion (wet grab) – the property of a pressure sensitive adhesive which allows it to adhere to a surface under very light pressure. It is determined by the ability of the adhesive to quickly wet the surface contacted.

A material which strengthens the backing and/or the adhesive.

A coating applied to the backing on the side opposite the adhesive, which provides ease of unwind and prevents delamination or tearing, or to a film or paper to produce a release liner.

Force needed to remove the liner from the covered adhesive layer of a double sided adhesive tape. The release force can be adjusted by release agents, such as silicones.

A removable material which protects the adhesive face or faces.

The act of pulling tape away from the substrate.

An adhesive that has been designed to allow subsequent removal without damaging or contaminating the substrate under specified conditions. An example is protection films which offer temporary protection from potential scratching, marring, chipping, UV damage and dirt during manufacture, packing, storage, shipping and installation. 

The ability of a tape to resist exposure to varying conditions such as acids, oils and solvents, after application and to perform satisfactorily.

Short term repositioning can be important to correct the first mounting of a substrate. It depends on the initial adhesion level, the cohesion of the adhesive and the backing type. This is important e.g for mounting of displays or front panels.

Relevant when bonded materials have to be separated after the life cycle of the product (e.g. some shelf-edge labelling).

Property which allows repeated bonding of two substrates. Tapes with different adhesion levels on each side are specially suited for bag sealing.

The operation of winding the webstock from the reel onto a core to produce rolls of the desired width, diameter, and tension.

Shear resistance is measured as a force required to pull the pressure sensitive material parallel to the surface to which it was affixed under specific conditions. The shear resistance of PSAs may be measured statically or dynamically. Static shear test methods use a constant load of longer test times. Dynamic shear tests measure the cohesion of the sample in a tensile tester under increasing load (force).

Shock resistance is a suddenly applied force on an adhesive bond. Under normal conditions (room temperature) the shock resistance of tapes is significantly higher. PSA tapes with a foam backing have an incorporated buffer system and therefore absorb shock much better than film tapes. Additionally, high coating weights and flexible backings of high quality film tapes can take over part of this buffer function.

Reduction of any dimension of a tape.

A tape to which a pressure sensitive adhesive is applied to only one side of the backing. Browse single sided tapes here.

A tape offering characteristics such as reduced friction, anti-stick, easy release, sound management, squeak and rattle prevention, noise reduction, chemical resistance and barrier, high strength and abrasion resistance.

When the tape tears or breaks into small pieces, either on unwind or on removal from a surface.

Contrary to hard adhesives, soft adhesives flow easier into rough and textured surfaces and substrates.

Advantages (compared to hard adhesives)include:

• Good wetting – adhesive flows into rough, uneven substrates
• High initial tack (immediate bond)

Disadvantages:

• Lower temperature resistance
• lower shear resistance (holding power)

See plasticiser resistance.

Direct contact with solvents should be avoided, because they can penetrate into the adhesive and reduce the functionality of the tape. Therefore the substrate should be dry before the tape is applied. All acrylics, especially pure acrylics, have a good resistance to solvents contrary to rubber based adhesives.

See delamination.

The ability of a tape to be applied to a substrate without discolouring the substrate.

The measure of a tape’s flexibility and conformability.

The ability of a tape to retain a specified level of its original properties after defined conditions and length of time of storage.

The force required to remove a unit width of pressure sensitive tape from a standard panel after it has been in contact with a release liner for a given period of time. This must be compared with the adhesion of the same tape that has not been in contact with the release liner to determine the degree of loss of adhesion.

The surface to which a pressure sensitive tape is applied.

The measure of surface tension in dynes. The lower the surface energy of a substrate, the more difficult it becomes for an adhesive or coating to wet out that surface.

Specific type of adhesive.

The ability of a tape to resist the static forces applied in the same plane as the backing, usually on a vertical test panel.

Adding materials (saturant) to the backing for improvement of physical properties.

An adhesive joint that is accomplished by coating both adherend surfaces and bringing them under pressure e.g. an elastomeric adhesive (cohesive) used on envelope flaps, box closures, etc, whereby the adhesive film will bond only to itself.

The force required to propagate a tear in a tape in a given direction after the tear has been initiated.

A sideways sliding of the tape layers, one over another, such that the roll looks like a funnel or a telescope, usually occurring over a period of time.

Ability of a double sided tape to remain unaffected (adhesion, cohesion) when exposed to higher temperatures. We distinguish between ‘short term’ temperature resistance (seconds to minutes) and ‘long term’ temperature resistance (hours to years).

The force required to break a piece of tape by pulling opposite ends of the piece.

Specific type of adhesive; it softens on heating and reverts to original state when cooled. This process may be repeated.

Adhesive becomes firmer on heating and remains so on cooling. Thermosetting of adhesive improves solvent resistance and increases softening temperature.    

The perpendicular distance from one surface of either a tape, backing or adhesive to the other, usually expressed in mils, thousandths of an inch or millimetres. This is usually measured under controlled slight pressure with a special gauge.

See prime coat.

PSA tape without backing reinforcement. The adhesive is directly coated on to the release liner. Browse transfer tapes here.

The ability of a tape to allow the transmission of light. A tape is rated as transparent if 10 point type can be easily read when the tape is applied directly over it.

Tack describes the contact behaviour of the adhesive to the substrate under a minimum of time and pressure. Also referred to as ‘wet-grab’ and ‘quick-stick’.

See converting.

The maximum adhesion available from a pressure sensitive adhesive, determined from the force necessary to remove a strip of tape from a surface after an extended period of time.

Force required to unwind a double sided adhesive tape. The unwinding force is a result of the interaction between adhesive and release liner. A low and constant unwinding force is an important property for the processing of an adhesive tape.

VOC stands for Volatile Organic Compound. These are organic chemicals that easily evaporate at room temperature. They enter the surrounding air from every day products such as paint, wood products and plastics.

VHB™ stands for Very High Bond and is a tape produced by 3M™. VHB™ tapes are high-strength and a proven alternative to screws, rivets, welds and other mechanical fasteners. This high-strength bonding tape permanently adheres one substrate to another while spreading the stress load across the entire length of the joint. Learn more here.

An abbreviation applied indiscriminately to both PVC and UPVC. Browse vinyl tapes here.

A bare uncoated area on either the adhesive or release coated side of the tape.

The weight of water vapour allowed through a controlled area of tape within a specified time period and under controlled conditions.

The long, continuous sheet of material which is drawn through the processes of making tape.

See tack.

Small ridges or furrows formed on the surface of a roll of tape and often resulting in jagged edges on the slit roll.

Wet out describes the flow or spread of adhesive over a substrate. High surface energy substrates encourage good wet out which assures greater surface contact.

A condition when a surface has a definite corrugated or ridged surface.

The measure of the amount of water which will be soaked up by a tape under stated conditions and be retained by it.

A tape where the adhesive will dissolve completely under the proper chemical environment and the backing will break up into extremely small pieces.

The weight of water transmitted through a controlled area of tape under a specified time and conditions.

The ability of a material (tape or adhesive) after application to resist exposure to such conditions as UV light and humidity. Generally acrylic adhesive tapes display good weathering resistance.

A two directional plotter that can produce parts without the need for tooling. Learn more here.

A pressure sensitive adhesive tape with isotropic electrical conductivity through the thickness of the tape (the Z-axis) and through the plane of the adhesive (X, Y planes). Ideal for EMI/RFI shielding and gasket attachment to metal surfaces. Browse electrically conductive tapes here.

A yield is a quantity achievable from an input role of material.

A pressure sensitive adhesive tape with isotropic electrical conductivity through the thickness of the tape (the Z-axis); used for attaching grounded EMI/RFI shielding and interconnecting silver ink/polyester flex circuits. Browse electrically conductive tapes here.

Often required in automotive and medical applications, the adhesive is applied to a controlled area of the backing in zones or stripes. Learn more about custom presentation options here.