There are a lot of industrial tapes out there. How do you know which is best for your project or application? Single sided? Double sided? Foam? Transfer?
At Walker Tape Converting, we’re the experts in all things tape. We help our clients select the best tape for their unique needs, even if we have to create a new product that doesn’t currently exist yet, by combining different tapes for the best possible result.
We find that when clients come to us with problems and challenges with their tapes from other converters (i.e., not holding up well), those problems could have been averted by more careful planning at the outset.
Here are some common considerations we go through with our clients in order to determine the perfect stick for their application.
Surface.
What is it going to stick to? Different tapes work well on different surfaces, so the first part of the selection process is finding the best tape for your surface.
For example, the best type of tape for metal surfaces is generally a high-performance acrylic tape. 3M’s VHB (Very High Bond) tape is a double-sided acrylic foam tape that is famous for its strong adhesive that bonds well to metal surfaces. Tesa’s ACXplus is a high-performance acrylic tape that bonds well to porous surfaces like wood or concrete, in addition to metal and glass.
Environment.
What kind of environment will your tape need to withstand? Extreme heat or cold? Moisture? Will there be friction and movement or will it simply stick in one place? All of these factors can impact the life of your tape and how long it will hold.
Some tapes are more suitable than others for these types of environmental considerations, including tesa’s ACXplus, which stands up well to wet or humid conditions and other tapes that are designed to perform in extreme heat or cold. It is also famous for its high resistance, which makes it a great choice for heavy-duty jobs.
Adhesion.
This might seem obvious — the tapes need to stick, right? But the question is, how strong does that bond need to be? Some of our clients in fields like manufacturing or aerospace need those tapes to be as strong, if not stronger, than rivets. Once it’s stuck, the metal will tear before the tape does. But other industries, like medical tape for wearable devices, need a more gentle bond that may have to be removed and re-stuck often. Tapes designed for skin couldn’t be more different than tapes designed for metal.
Budget.
The sky’s NOT the limit for most companies, and at Walker, we understand that. Our preferred status with many tape manufacturers, not just one or two, is one of our greatest strengths. It allows us to get the right tape at the best price for our clients.
Converter capabilities.
Before choosing a tape, you need to choose a vendor. Our relationships with multiple tape manufacturers gives us the unique ability to combine different tapes to create exactly what you need, even if it doesn’t yet exist. It’s the difference between a custom product that is specifically tailored to your application and shoe-horning an “okay fit” just because it’s all the converter has to offer.
More questions about the best tape for your application? Contact us today. Our experts are ready to help.
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