Take a situation where you wish to display and item on a wall while maintaining aesthetic value. Where you use single-sided tape, you have to compromise on the beauty of the outcome. But with double-sided tape, you can attach the item without showing the bond.
Here is what you need to know about double-sided tape as you seek to find the best option in your case:
Bonding Systems
Double-sided tape can either have thick or thin bonding systems. The choice of either will determine the suitability of the tape for a given purpose. Thick bonded tapes are best for textured and non-uniform surfaces, which require more adhesive properties. These tapes vary in strength, and they often have a foam carrier layer to increase their bonding properties. Thin bonded tapes are thin as they do not have much other than a silicone liner. They work for uniform and non-textured surfaces. You should thus consider the surface you will work with before selecting a tape.
What adhesives do these tapes use? The bonding system can either rely on rubber or acrylic adhesives. Rubber adhesives are cheaper and work best for short-term applications. Acrylics, on the other hand, will cost you a pretty dime, and they work best for long-term applications. They can withstand most chemicals and harsh light and heat conditions.
The adhesives also affect how fast the tapes work. Rubber tapes will adhere to surfaces within a short time. But acrylics increase their hold over time. As such, where you are short on time, it is best to use rubber tapes.
Have you come across pressure-sensitive tapes and wondered what this means? It comes down to the application process. Some tapes require some pressure for the bond to take place. That means you should press them down during application. That’s all. It does not imply that the bond can weaken in the presence of pressure or that there is an issue with the tape’s quality.
Sticking the tapes
Any time before using tape, you should clean the surface thoroughly with water and alcohol, as well as other suitable materials. Ensure that you dry the surface before applying the tape, else the tape will not adhere as it should. Also, consider the temperature as the tape will adhere best at room temperature. However, some tapes bond faster in colder or hotter environments, so be sure to check what works in your case. The waiting period before the tape takes full effect highly depends on the tape in question. For acrylics, it is best to wait three days. For rubber tapes, one to two days will be adequate.
Tapes adhere better to some surfaces such as paper, sealed wood, cardboard, acrylic paint, and metals. However, they will not work well on silicone rubber, powder-coated metals, and other such surfaces. It is thus best that you check the adhesive properties of a surface before using tape.
Where you wish to use the tape for a short period, you can remove it using a putty knife, heat, or warm soapy water, among other methods.
Types of double-sided tape
- Foam
These tapes have open or closed cells, and they enjoy protection from acrylic adhesives on both sides. They work under varying temperatures and are best for mounting, gasket applications, and reducing thermal and sound effects. If you are in search of the best double-sided tape for walls, this can work.
- Cloth
These tapes are flexible with heavy coating on the adhesives. They thus work for non-uniform and textured surfaces and are therefore great for carpet setups.
- Paper
These tapes have rubber adhesive coating on both sides and work for standard motive bonding. You can use these manually or use an applicator to lay them on the surface. They work great in bonding non-uniform surfaces, and they can withstand the use of chemicals.
- Adhesive transfer
These tapes feature acrylic adhesives, and they work on a variety of surfaces, given their dimensional stability. They also have die-cut properties and work for closure, mounting, and splicing, among other uses. Also, they can withstand the effects of UV light and a wide range of temperatures.
- Tissue
These tapes are smooth, strong, flexible, and durable. They take little time to apply, and they are not prone to breaking. Also, they are converter friendly and will work on several surfaces.
- Film
If you want to take up permanent bonding and mounting, this strong double-sided tape is suitable for such tasks. It is highly adhesive and works under a wide range of temperatures.
- Mounting
As the name suggests, this is an ideal tape for use in mounting objects such as mirrors devoid of the use of screws. It features a polyethylene construction with stress-sensitive adhesives on all sides. It has silicone paper lining protecting it and works on various surfaces such as glass and wood. An excellent example, in this case, would be gorilla double-sided tape.
- Polyester
This thick double-sided tape is highly resistant to solvents, heat, and cold and has excellent tensile energy. Additionally, it features transparency, insulation, and dimensional stability. It thus works on many surfaces and works in protecting objects.
The strength or lack thereof of double-sided tape will depend on the surface. Take the 3m double-sided tape, for example. It features in the Burj Al Arab, which is one of the tallest hotels in the world. Its flexibility makes it excellent for cladding and other construction works. In this light, you might think of it as the best double-sided tape for outdoor use. However, you should note that this is highly dependent on the surface in place.
When looking for the strongest double-sided tape home depot, think about the surfaces you intend to bond. It also helps to understand the tape’s temperature resistance as well as how you can remove the tape when need be. Suppose you need the strongest double-sided tape for fabric; think of the moisture, heat, and cold conditions to which it will have exposure. With these factors in mind, think of if it will work. The strongest double-sided tape, in any case, is one that can hold up against the prevalent conditions. All the best!
Add comment