Tapes typically offer a clean-looking edge that is pleasing to the eye. They are simple to apply and provide a durable bond that occurs within seconds of application.

In contrast, mechanical fasteners require physical holes through a surface. They have higher chances of corrosion and creating stress points for buckling the surface.

And, liquid adhesives can be messy to apply. They often need to be secured to cure while setting and can create more waste than a tape product.

Yes. This can be done through methods such as die cutting, slitting into roll form or through water jet or laser jet techniques.

How much tape is needed to bond a component?

Heavier parts or parts that see more stress require more tape than components with less stress. I recommend going over specific application details with one of our application engineers because they can provide additional guidance.

How much pressure do I need to apply to attach the tape?

In many cases, 15 PSI for several seconds is enough to obtain a good bond. You want to press the tape down to ensure the adhesive makes good, even contact with the surface.

Is it better to press the parts together or roll them down with a roller?

Rolling pressure is best to try to avoid air pockets from forming between the adhesive and the surface you are bonding with. We recommend slightly rolling the tape to ensure the maximum wet out and therefore the best adhesion with that tape.

How far in advance can I remove the liner?

We recommend keeping the liner and protecting the adhesive until just before you are ready to press the parts together.

Which liner is best for each application and why would I want a stronger release on certain parts?

A tighter release typical of raw poly liners might be needed to prevent the liner from exposing the adhesive. Additionally, it is ideal for flexible applications such as spooling or for applications with long plastic parts like bumpers or cut-to-length trim applications.

A higher density release coated liner may be easier to use when applying wheel weights or alloys. Clear liners are sometimes required for optimal quality systems, common in high-speed converting and assembly processes.

How long does it take before the tape reaches full bond strength?

Most tapes reach full bond strength after 72 hours at room temperature. You can expect around 75 to 85% bond strength in the first 15 minutes and around 95% by the end of the first day. The full bond is typically reached by the 72-hour mark. It is important to note that temperature does impact adhesion builds- warmer temperatures are better!

How does the tape performance change at high temperature versus low temperature?

Tape cores and adhesives become softer as temperature rises and firmer as temperatures fall below freezing. After the bond forms, most tape has lower adhesion results when temperatures rise to extreme values and higher adhesion results when exposed to extreme cold. At cold temperatures such as -30ᵒ F, some tapes become very rigid and glass-like.

Although this provides tremendous adhesive strength, the tape also becomes more susceptible to shattering. As long as the temperatures the tape is exposed to falls within its standard operating range, when the tape is returned to room temperature, it will typically return to its standard bond strength level.

Can I reposition a part after it’s attached?

It is difficult to remove tapes after they are bonded. Immediate removal may sometimes work, but since bonds typically build at a very quick rate, prompt removal must happen if the part is not to be damaged.

If a part is not adhering to the vehicle, what could be wrong?

In a factory with automated assembly lines, pressure is the most common root cause of adhesion issues- application jigs wear down over time and gaps increase. This is often undetected because the air pressure used to bond parts still shows the proper pressures being applied.

The important thing to remember is that the pressure in the line does not mean that the body surface is seeing the same amount of pressure. Increasing the travel distance by using a piece of felt can often diagnose a jig wear problem.

Surface contamination is probably the second most common issue. Finger marks on the adhesive surface or simply not clearing off contamination are two common causes. If cleaning solves the issue, then you have a contamination problem.

The third common issue is surface mismatch, especially on curved parts. If the two parts being bonded are not flat or well-matched then the contact area may be too small for proper bonding.

What kind of cleaning is required before applying tape?

We recommend wiping a surface with either a 50/50 mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water or even 100% isopropyl since leaving a contaminated surface can weaken the bond.

Does tape color matter?

Color is all about aesthetics. Black colors are often preferred on edges that are visible because our eyes tend to ignore shadow. On a vehicle, you would notice the shiny emblem on a painted body but not the line connecting the two if using black tape. In this case, a gray or white tape is often more noticeable.

If joining two semi-transparent plastics, a black tape may be seen through the material, an effect called backlighting.  
In applications where the tape will be outside the sightlines, color is typically not important.

How long do the tapes last?

Longevity depends on the tape and application, but we have had applications last as long as we’ve been making bonding tapes, well over 40 years!

Bonding tape allows for increased efficiencies, reduced costs and improved design flexibility for attaching parts.

Our team has the know-how and willingness to work with you to design a highly effective tape product or solve engineering challenges related to automotive sealing tape.

To find a tape solution with the perfect backing materials, seamless process integration and superb performance, or simply get questions answered, contact us today.