FAQs

The main product characteristics of adhesive tapes are their adhesive force and their abilities to withstand temperature, mechanical strain, and traction. How pronounced these characteristics are depends on how the tape will be used. Masking tapes for painting processes have to endure high temperatures and be able to be removed without leaving residue. For insulation, it is important for the tape to be very firm and not stretch very much. Tapes for splices in the paper industry have to have a high level of immediate adhesive force.

Adhesive tapes are not coated with glues, but rather with adhesives. In contrast to glue, which is applied when liquid and then sets and hardens due to a chemical reaction, adhesive is already set, permanently sticky and easy to apply. Even the slight pressure exerted by a single finger is enough to fix adhesive to a surface.

An adhesive tape consists of several layers.

An adhesive tape consists of several layers. The adhesive is bound to a backing material such as plastic film, paper, or fabric.

A thin primer layer or physical pre-treatment of the backing material can improve the adhesive’s hold.

Release agents ensure easy unwinding.

A series of organic polymers, chemical compounds that consist of chain or branched molecules, can be permanently sticky. Examples are polyacrylic acid ester, natural rubber, and styropol and styrene copolymers.

The macromolecules have to be long enough to “tangle up” like a serving of cooked spaghetti. This generates the inner cohesion of the adhesive. Because the long molecule chains between the points of contact are movable, the adhesive can be applied well to surfaces and adhere there.

There are self-stick polymers that adhere without the addition of resins to make them sticky and some that adhere only weakly and become truly adhesive only when such other substances are added.

The backing has various surface qualities on both sides.

So that it can be guaranteed that the adhesive tape can be dispensed without problems, the backing has to have various surface qualities on both sides. To increase the adhesion of an adhesive to the backing, the surface is cleaned, roughened, and made chemically functional through physical processes. For example, molecular layers on the surface are evaporated.

A thin layer of primer can also increase the adhesion. Unwinding the adhesive tape from the roll is facilitated by release agents, which work through their low surface tension. The lower the release agent’s surface tension in comparison to that of the adhesive, the stronger the release effect.

Natural rubber

Since 1882, when Paul Beiersdorf received the patent for adhesive bandages, natural rubber has been one of the most important raw materials for adhesives. Adding resins to make it sticky makes it a low cost adhesive with a great deal of adhesive force. Adhesive tapes made of natural rubber adhesives are best suited to interior applications such as masking tape for painting work, or for packing tapes that can be dispensed with very little noise.

Acrylic make up another important group of adhesives. They are synthetic polymers that have been produced since the 1960s as adhesives for challenging tasks such as long term or exterior applications. Polymers can be changed through selection of their base components and through compounding in such a way that they possess tailored characteristics. A further advantage is their good ability to withstand light and temperature. Along with natural rubber and polyacrylates, other systems such as thermoplastic elastomers have also been successful on the market in the meantime.