By: Bimol Bee
Submitted: 2011-12-17 05:38:49 | Word Count: 638
Adhesive tape is one of numerous kinds of backing materials which are covered with an adhesive. As the term "adhesive tape" has a very wide meaning it can be used for describing such a notion as pressure sensitive tape (PSA tape), that is a self stick tape or sticky tape which consists of a pressure sensitive adhesive with which a backing material is covered. It can be cloth, plastic film, paper, or metal foil. This tape is sticky without the use of any heat or solvent and can be present with light pressure. As a rule, these tapes need a release agent on their backing.
This article is going to give you information on various types of packaging tape as well as inform you about major advantages of using different types of adhesive tape. So, there're three major types of adhesive tape, they are: acrylic adhesive tape, hot melt adhesive tape, and natural rubber adhesive tape.
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Acrylic adhesive tapes possess high temperature resistance, as well as high-grade UV resistance and big constant bonding strength. This type of adhesive tape is the most suitable for applications in temperatures no lower than 40°F and higher than 120°F. Acrylic adhesive tapes offer wonderful clarity, besides they age well over long periods in sunlight and fluorescent lighting. The acrylic adhesive tapes in acrylic carton sealing offer better quick-stick performance, reduced haze, higher shear strength, and much better clarity.
Hot Melt adhesive tapes, in contrast to acrylic adhesive tapes, provide with the greatest variety of application flexibility ever possible. In this way, these tapes provide with wonderful performance in both ways of usage - whether used by hand or by a carton sealer. Due to tensile strength, excellent adhesion properties, as well as holding force Hot Melt adhesive tapes you're going to receive reliable consistent seals. Hot Melt carton sealing tapes differ with a quiet release and quick and easy unwind that makes that the most suitable for automatic carton sealers.
Natural rubber adhesive tapes are tapes frequently used for problem solving in the packaging industry. These tapes are the most unique among adhesive backed tapes due to their fast penetration, aggressive adhesion properties, and grip on corrugated saving "rub down" time. Natural rubber adhesive tapes are perfect for cartons with recycled paper content, as well as for rough or ultra-smooth surfaces, heavy ink coverage, and some other problem cartons. In addition, these tapes have fast positive bonding as well as high shear adhesion. Another advantage of Natural rubber adhesive tapes is their moisture resistance that makes them perfect for extremely low or high temperatures. Besides, they are moisture resistant and can perfectly bear damp and humid conditions. Possessing firm unwind abilities, this type of tapes is perfect for hand held tape dispensers and carton sealers.
Let's also mention less known and used adhesive tapes.
Water activated tape is starch, rarely animal glue based, adhesive on a paper backing. This material should be moistened to get sticky.
One of the types of gummed tape is reinforced gummed tape (RGT). Its backing has two layers of paper with a cross-pattern of fiberglass filaments laminated between. Earlier, the laminating adhesive was asphalt but today it's mostly a hot-melt atactic polypropylene.
Water sensitive tape is today applied for closing and sealing boxes. It should be wetted or remoistened by water before the usage. This tape is usually 3 inch or 7,5 cm wide.
Heat activated tape is tack-free until activated by heat. It can be used in packaging, like a tear strip tape for cigarette packs. There's also a thermal release tape that loses its tack if heated to a definite temperature. It's usually used in the semiconductor industry.
Drywall tape is cloth, paper, or mesh, having a gummed or PSA adhesive. It's used for making the joints between sheets of different drywall materials.
