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Adhesive tape

technology Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Adhesive tape is a very useful tool. It is a backing material with a sticky layer on it. This sticky layer is called an adhesive. People use many different kinds of tape for different jobs. Some tapes stick to things right away. Other tapes need water or heat to work.

Adhesive tapes clear
Adhesive tapes clear

Pressure-sensitive tape is a common kind. You might know it as PSA tape. It is sticky without any heat or liquid. It works when you apply light pressure. The adhesive is often a polymer. These can be acrylates or types of rubber. The tape can have a backing made of paper, cloth, or plastic. It can even use metal foil.

MODODennison
MODODennison

Another way tape works is with water. This is called water-activated tape. It uses a glue made from starch or animals. The tape has a paper backing. It only becomes sticky when you moisten it. This is helpful for sealing boxes. Some of this tape is reinforced. It has two layers of paper with fiberglass inside.

Carton box seal tape
Carton box seal tape

There are also special tapes for specific tasks. Heat-sensitive tape is used in the semiconductor industry. It stays tack-free until a heat source makes it sticky. Drywall tape is used to join sheets of drywall. It can be made of paper, cloth, or mesh. Some drywall tape uses gummed or PSA adhesive.

Water Activated Gummed Tape
Water Activated Gummed Tape

Many things you see every day use these ideas. Water-activated tape is often 3 inches or 7.5 cm wide. It is used to close corrugated fiberboard boxes. Scientists even have rules for this tape. These rules are called ASTM standard D5749. Whether it is paper or plastic, tape helps hold our world together.

Carton box seal tape
Carton box seal tape
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File:Adhesive tapes clear.JPG
Adhesive tapes clear.JPG
File:MODODennison.jpg
MODODennison.jpg
File:Carton box seal tape.jpg
Carton box seal tape.jpg
File:Water Activated Gummed Tape.jpg
Water Activated Gummed Tape.jpg
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