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Tape Selection Guide

Selecting the Adhesive
First select an adhesive that fits all your requirements.

Surface

  Least Demanding Medium Most Demanding
Surface Energy > 38 Dynes/cm
 34-38 dynes/cm
 <34 dynes/cm
All adhesives
 Rubber based, modified acrylic, silicone
 Rubber based, silicone, UHA rubber
Texture - Level of Embossing Roughness (Ra) < 1.75 mils
 Roughness (Ra) 3.9 mils
 Roughness (Ra) > 9.8 mils
Adhesive weight < 1.5 mils
 Adhesive weight <1.5-2.5 mils
 Adhesive weight > 2.5 mils
Contour Flat
 Curved, diameter > 40 in
 Curved, diameter < 20 in
All adhesives
 High coat weight acrylic, modified acrylic, rubber, AFB
 HPA Acrylic
 

Environmental Conditions

  Least Demanding Medium Most Demanding
Temperature during Application Above 50'F
 Between 25 to 50'F
 Below 25'F
All adhesives
 Pure acrylic, modified acrylic, UV-cured acrylic, silicone
 UV-cured acrylic, silicone
Temperature during Service Up to 150'F
 Up to 260'F
 Above 300'F
All adhesives
 Modified acrylic, pure acrylic, UHA rubber, UHA acrylic, silicone
 UHA acrylic, silicone, HPA Acrylic, AFB
Humidity Up to 60% RH
 Between 60 to 80% RH
 Above 95% RH
All adhesives
 Solvent modified acrylic, solvent rubber, silicone, AFB
 Pure acrylic, UHA acrylic
Outdoor Conditions Indoor usage
 Limited outdoor exposure
 Outdoor weathering
All adhesives
 Modified acrylic, pure acrylic, UHA acrylic, AFB, silicone
 Pure acrylic, UHA acrylic, AFB, silicone, HPA acrylic
Chemical Exposure None
 Some exposure
 Full, long term immersion
All adhesives
 Modified acrylic, UHA rubber, AFB, pure acrylic, UHA acrylic, silicone
 AFB, pure acrylic, UHA acrylic, silicone, HPA acrylic
UV Exposure Completely shielded from UV
 Some indirect exposure
 Full direct exposure
All adhesives
 Modified acrylic, UHA rubber, AFB, pure acrylic, UHA acrylic, silicone
 AFB, pure acrylic, UHA acrylic, silicone, HPA acrylic
 
 

Required Bond Strength

  Least Demanding Medium Most Demanding
Immediate Adhesion Tack < 2 lbs/in
 Between 2 lbs/in and 9lbs/in
 Tack > 9 lbs/in
All adhesives, except FT 310 Pure acrylic, modified acrylic, silicone, rubber, UHA rubber, AFB, UHA acrylic, HPA acrylic
 Rubber, UHA rubber, AFB
Ultimate Adhesion 180' Peel Adhesion after 72 hours < 2 lbs/in
 180' Peel adhesion after 72 hours between 2 lbs/in and 11 lbs/in
 180' Peel Adhesion after 72 hours > 11 lbs/in
All adhesives, except FT 310
 Rubber, pure acrylic, modified acrylic, silicone, UHA rubber, AFB, UHA acrylic, HPA acrylic
 UHA rubber, AFB
Cohesive Strength Dynamic shear resistance < 22 lbs/in²
 Dynamic shear resistance between 22 lbs/in² and 220 lbs/in²
 Dynamic shear resistance > 220 lbs/in²
Rubber
 Pure acrylic, modified acrylic, silicone, AFB, UHA rubber, UHA acrylic
 UHA rubber, UHA acrylic, HPA acrylic
Holding Power T-block resistance < 22 lbs/in²
 T-block resistance between 22 lbs/in² and 220 lbs/in²
 T-block resistance > 220 lbs/in²
Pure acrylic, modified acrylic, silicone
 Rubber, AFB, UHA rubber, UHA acrylic
 UHA rubber, HPA acrylic
 
 

Conversion

  Least Demanding Medium Most Demanding
Lamination Temperature on Open Cell Structure Room temperature
 Between room temperature and 210'F
 Above 210'F
Rubber, modified acrylic
 Pure acrylic
 UHA rubber, UHA acrylic, AFB, silicone, HPA acrylic
Lamination Temperature on Closed Cell Structure Room temperature
 Between room temperature and 210'F
 Above 210'F
All adhesives
 — HPA acrylic
Lamination Pressure Low
 Medium High
Rubber, modified acrylic Rubber, modified acrylic, pure acrylic, AFB, UHA acrylic, UHA rubber, HPA acrylic
 Silicone
 
 

Selecting the Adhesive

The next step is to define the tape construction. You must choose between a transfer tape and a double coated construction. Transfer tapes are less costly and more conformable. Double coated tapes have higher strength and stiffness, and can be used as a gap-filling or barrier. In addition, double coated tapes are easier to slit. When cutting through the adhesive, there is always a risk of edge picking when using a transfer tape. To determine the most appropriate carrier, use the table under “carrier” (Click to proceed to Carrier).

Selecting the Liner

Finally, to select the liner, use the selection chart under “liner” (Click to proceed to Liners).

Application Conditions

When applying PSA tapes, keep the following conditions in mind:

  • Bonding surface must be clean, dry and free of all grease and oil contaminates

  • PSAs require a minimum of 20-40 psi to secure most bonds

  • Minimum application temperature above 50°F

  • Heat lamination improves surface contact area and decreases wet out time

  • Adhesion builds up to reach maximum adhesion level up to 72 hours after application