6 Things You Need to Know About Composite Moulding Tapes

Composite moulding tapes are clean, efficient, reusable, and built for performance. According to Precedence Research, as of 2025, the global composite adhesive market is valued at USD 4.08 billion and is projected to grow at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 5.21% from 2025 to 2034, reaching approximately 6.43 billion by 2034.

The Precedence Research report also indicates the regional breakdown of the composite adhesive tape market is as follows:

1. Asia Pacific: 49%
2. North America: 24%
3. Europe: 21%
4. Latin America: 2%
5. Middle East & Africa: 2%

This demand is largely driven by increased focus on fuel efficiency, lightweighting and sustainability in industries such as automotive, aerospace, construction, and wind energy, which, in turn, is driving the development of composite materials.

These actions are increasing the need for specialised adhesives that can be applied to composite materials to enhance longevity, structural integrity, and protect from shocks, high temperatures, and chemical corrosion.

In industries where part precision and aesthetics are non-negotiable, like aerospace, life sciences, or high-end automotive, composite molding tapes provide a distinct operational advantage. Specialized composite molding tapes are engineered to meet the unique demands of the composite forming process and, unlike commodity grade materials, these tapes are purposely built to withstand high pressures and extreme temperatures that are common in autoclave or vacuum-assisted molding. These tapes do not deform, peel, or leave residue. Their precision-engineered release surfaces ensure a clean, consistent separation from the composite part and mold, reducing the risk of surface imperfections or contamination. Furthermore, they are reusable and easy to apply, which translates to faster setup and turnover times.

In contrast, using alternative methods such as silicone-based hard masking and liquid coatings often requires time-consuming application and removal processes, resulting in inconsistent coverage or residual buildup, leading to downtime, rework, or even scrapped parts.

Composite molding taps are available in several specialized forms, each designed to serve a specific function in the composite manufacturing process. They can be applied as mold release liners, as protection and seaming tapes, or as flash masking and hold down tapes.

Mold release liners are applied directly inside the mold cavity to allow for clean and easy removal of the finished composite parts. These liners are generally made from PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), prized for its non-stick properties and ability to withstand high temperatures. PTFE based tapes are available as glass cloth, laminates, or films. They are manufactured through a proprietary process that eliminates common surface flaws like cracks or pinholes, resulting in a consistently smooth finish and fewer defects.

Tool protection and seaming tapes are used to safeguard expensive tooling surfaces and seams from damage, resin buildup, and wear during the molding cycle. These tapes are typically made from skived or extruded PTFE films, which offer excellent flexibility and high conformability, critical for adhering smoothly to complex tool geometries without lifting or wrinkling. This ensures long-lasting coverage and helps reduce maintenance frequency.

Flash masking and hold down tapes are applied around mold edges to help control excess resin (or “flash”) to maintain smooth bond lines. These tapes are made with high-temperature resistant polyester backings and are available with both silicone and rubber-based adhesives to suit various process requirements. Their residue-free removal makes them ideal for high-precision composite work where cleanliness and surface quality are vital.

Perhaps the most vital function of these tapes is providing removable surface protection. This role is especially important in industries that require long product lifecycles, complex logistics, and stringent quality standards. Saint-Gobain® Tape Solutions has a wide portfolio of composite molding tapes that can shield sensitive surfaces from dust, dirt, abrasion, moisture, and chemical exposure during handling, processing or transport.

The exposed outer layer of the tape absorbs the environmental wear while keeping the underlying component surface protected. The durable construction of the tape also allows for removal and reapplication, making them particularly well-suited for OEMs and component manufacturers that need to safeguard parts during production and installation.

In applications where surface perfection is critical, products like PTFE glass laminate tape are often an excellent choice because they are free of cracks and pinholes and they can last up to twenty times longer than lower-grade alternatives, reducing the need for frequent mold maintenance and reapplication.

Composite molding tapes, which are designed for tool protection and mold release, are available in distinctive and highly visible colors such as bright yellow, orange, or blue. These contrasting shades enable these tapes to act as a visual indicator during the lay-up and molding process, making it easy for technicians to see which areas of the mold or tooling have been properly covered and which may have been missed. By serving as a visual guide, these tapes can help reduce the likelihood of human error and ensure consistent process and application. This is especially important when working with large or complex molds, such as those used in aerospace structures or wind turbine blades, when even small uncovered sections can result in defects or costly rework.

So that our customers have environmentally friendly alternatives, we have developed non-PFAS options to replace ETFE and FEP films in composite molding applications. One of these options is PMP film. PMP film has a low surface energy and can be used as a release film in many applications where ETFE and FEP are currently used. The PMP polymer does not contain fluorine-carbon bonds, so it does not have the disadvantages associated with fluoropolymers such as PFAS disposal and tracking, supply chain risks, and regulatory risks.

PMP film is available for testing as a matte film and glossy film in multiple thicknesses. A few thicknesses that have been requested so far include 1.5 mil, 2 mil, 3 mil, and 5 mil.

In addition to the film, we also have a pressure-sensitive adhesive tape that can be used for edging protection of the tool, lining the tool as a release, and as a seaming and splicing tape for building a layup. The film will survive composite molding processes at 180°C (200°F) which is a typical curing temperature for high performance resins.

For more information about non-PFAS films and tapes, please contact Richard Austin (1-518-894-5326, [email protected]).

No matter what the specific composite application is, Saint-Gobain Tape Solutions offers a full range of tapes to ensure you are well-equipped for the next generation of high-performance manufacturing. Our PTFE glass laminate tapes are designed for extended durability and a flawless composite surface, used in everything from MRI components to wind turbine blades. PTFE glass cloth tapes provide tensile strength and abrasion resistance, while products like PTFE film tapes reduce seams in large moulds thanks to their extra-wide format. Tool protection and seaming tapes are optimised for high-temperature environments and are easy to identify with their bright colours, making them ideal for large parts like aircraft wings. Finally, our flash masking and hold-down tapes are essential for masking bond lines and controlling flash during curing, especially when silicone contamination must be avoided. Their polyester and polyimide bases ensure they withstand high heat while removing cleanly, without residue.

As we move into the future, the drive towards renewable energy, lightweight mobility, and electrification is transforming the role of composite moulding. Saint-Gobain Tape Solutions is well-prepared to meet the growing demand with a scalable, customisable range of composite moulding tapes, tailored for a wide variety of applications and formats. These tapes are engineered to adapt to new material systems, curing cycles, and tooling surfaces.

Connect with our team today to learn more about our composite moulding tapes and how they can best serve your specific application requirements. When an off-the-shelf product does not meet your needs, let’s work together to custom-engineer solutions that are specially tailored to meet your performance, cost, and manufacturing requirements.