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Different Types of Adhesive Tapes: Selecting the Right Type of Adhesive Tapes

Types of Adhesive Tape

Adhesive Tapes are considered mostly for general purpose use. Typically for use on packages, and for pasting wall posters but that’s not all. Various industries also use adhesive tapes, in bulk, for business purposes as well. 

What are Adhesive tapes?

Adhesive Tapes are strips with sticky layer as backing material that stick to things when a little pressure is applied on it.

Adhesive tapes are usually made of fabric, paper, and plastic and are available in the form of a roll in different standard sizes as per their uses. Every adhesive tape has varied applications in households, schools and in other businesses as well.

What are different types of Adhesive Tapes?

Adhesive tapes are designed keeping in mind the various applications be it as a stationary item or an industrial instrument. Mainly adhesive tapes are of following types:

Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Tape

A strip of fabric, paper, or plastic with persistently sticky adhesive on one or both sides is referred to as pressure-sensitive adhesive tape. The glue must be permanent and not heat activated.

However, it should be pressure triggered in the sense that it only sticks if you apply light pressure to it, such as with your finger. The glue should not transition between liquid and solid states as it's frequently rolled up. 

The adhesive stays on the original envelope or bag and transmits adhesion to another material when you push the adhesive side.

These pressure sensitive adhesive tapes are used in shipping, postal services, schools, etc.

Water Activated Tape

Water-activated or "gummed" tape is commonly used for sealing uneven cartons and boxes in an effective manner.

The tape is soaked with water before sealing corrugated fiberboard boxes. Typically, the tape is 3 inches (7.5 cm) broad. As the glue bonds to the fiberboard material, it creates a strong, long-lasting seal that can withstand rough treatment during transportation. Its strengthened design ensures consistent performance in a variety of settings and applications.

On recyclable cartons and non-unitized cargo, the tape typically works effectively. 

Gummed tape is a cost-effective packaging tape that may be used in a variety of sectors and applications including food, beverage, medical pharmaceuticals, paper, print, electronics, transportation, and distribution.

Heat Sensitive Tape

Heat-activated tape is not regarded as pressure-sensitive tape since it is normally tack-free until it is triggered by a heat source. 

In the last 30 years, thermoplastic adhesive films have created a niche in the industrial bonding and welding of hot-melt adhesives in film form. 

Thermoplastics may be reshaped by heating and are commonly used to manufacture or join items using polymer processing processes.  

To attain final bonding strength, heat-activated (hot melt) adhesive systems must be exposed to increased temperatures (usually 180°F or above). To achieve a final cure and bond, temperature, pressure, and dwell time are utilized. Hot Melt Tapes have excellent adhesive strength and have very high holding power. It is incredibly flexible and has substantially better adherence to most materials, including fiberboard than acrylic tape.

Drywall Tape

Drywall tape is a tough paper tape used to cover dry wall joints. This finest tape is not ‘self-stick’ but rather a dry wall joint compound that holds it in place. It features a somewhat rough surface to stick to drywall compound properly and is meant to be exceptionally robust, and resistant to ripping and water damage.

Box sealing or parcel tape:

Box sealing or parcel tapes are actually pressure sensitive tapes that are used for sealing uneven boxes and parcels.  Adhesive material is typically coated on a polyester or polypropylene film.

Double- sided tape:

Double sided tapes, as the name suggests are coated with adhesive on both sides. These are usually used to stick two surfaces together.

Duct Tape:

Duct tapes are usually coated with plastic or rubber, backed by a women material. You might have seen villains using a grey duct tape to tape someone’s hands and mouth while kidnapping. There are others uses as well.

Electrical tapes:

These tapes are used for insulating electrical wires while at joints.

Filament Tape:

Filament tapes are also packaging tapes but with high strength. Adhesive is coated on a polyester or polypropylene film and a fiber glass filament is embedded throughout the length.

Cello tape and scotch tape:

These are mostly used for home, office and industrial purposes.

Surgical tape: 

A thin tape used for medical use.

Gaffer tape:

Gaffer tape is used in film and television industry to secure cable and wire or to hide them from the scene.

Security tape:

It is mostly used by cops to secure crime scenes. It comes with temper indicating feature.


  • Last updated on Sep 15, 2023
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