The Scotch tape it is one of the most traded products in the world, due to its convenient use and diverse functionality in multiple occasions.
The paper masking tape, polypropylene, pvc, metallic, among others; further expand its range of functions, allowing a more resistant and durable application without affecting the surfaces that require greater care.
What is an adhesive tape and what is its history
Adhesive tape is a very versatile product, made up of a strip packed in a roll, with an incorporated adhesive agent that is used to join, mark and seal certain elements in construction or in the home.
It was invented in 1925 by Richard Drew. During his work, Drew found an opportunity for invention due to the corrosion generated by the powerful adhesives that mistreat the paint on the surface of cars and other items.
This problem led him to develop a tape with less adhesion, ideal for any surface but without leaving a trace.
In Spain it was popularly identified as zeal, because the first brand distributed in the country was tape seal. While in Mexico it became common with the name of diurex and scotch to name the traditional tape.
Currently on the market there are different types of adhesive tapes, and its composition varies with respect to its functionality and use. Let’s learn a little more about each type.
Types of adhesive tapes
There are various types of adhesive tapes that give us a wide range of uses for each application. We will focus on detailing the most commercialized masking tapes and their main function.
Paper tape
The paper tape gets its prominence in multiple painting applications and works around the home.
The curled or crepe paper ribbons They work with a natural rubber adhesive and their use is common in painting, DIY and decoration tasks, and there are different types for each use:
Curled or crepe paper tape: made of paper and with natural rubber adhesive. Its use is very common indoors to apply on surfaces that do not want to be painted.
Low Tack Crepe Masking Tape: Unlike the previous one, its adhesive sticks less. Ideal for painters who don’t want to risk ripping off the paint when removing the tape.
Outdoor tape: As it has an acrylic adhesive, it is resistant to sun and rain. Ideal for applying outdoors or surfaces that are exposed to the outside. It is easy to recognize by its blue color.
As we have seen, its functionality expands to the demarcation and protection of surfaces, since it contains low adherence, avoiding leaving residues when the tape is removed.
Despite its low tack, this tape adheres to any surface, facilitating painting, wet construction and sanding jobs.
The kraft paper tape it has other functionalities. Offering greater flexibility and resistance, it is used to pack and splice objects, with the advantage of being an ecological and recyclable product.
The use of some type of tape is closely related to the work to be done.
Main uses of tapes
painting and decoration
Paper tape is ideal for painting and decorating masking. Both the crepe and kraft types are very useful due to their adhesion to any surface and their easy removal without residue.
Use paper tapes of different widths, it will increase the versatility when it comes to covering corners or frames that you do not want to paint.
Thinner paper tapes are suitable for marking floor, wall and window edges that require precise application or covering, while wider size tapes are more convenient for covering large areas that require taping.
As to its adherence is versatile, we can detail that the tapes allow work on latex paint, plaster, wood, glass and even metals.
Construction and exteriors: adhesive tapes
The tapes in construction they have an equally diverse application. Covering processes of pipes, wood, glass and walls, as well as the permanent use offered by anti-slip tapes for stairs and floors.
In construction there are also materials that cannot be joined with nails or screws, so the Scotch tape It is used to join elements, mainly plastic, but materials such as marble and granite may also require tape to join pieces during assembly.
The UV tapes with acrylic adhesive They are resistant to sunlight, so they are specialized for outdoor use, guaranteeing their permanence and durability against humidity and rain, even at high temperatures or extreme cold.
Dry Construction Tapes
The dry construction it is a modern and fast way to build. The execution of this type of work reduces the costs of materials and installation process, without sacrificing the durability of the work performed.
The microperforated paper tapes They are an ideal item for this type of construction, both for partitioning and insulation.
This type of tape is composed of a previously marked or prefolded cellulose in its center, which facilitates the placement and union of plaster-cardboard walls or drywall in walls and ceilings.
Its micro-perforation fulfills the function of releasing the air on its surface, which makes it even easier to lay it with putty, since it will make the drying process much faster.
The use of this tape extends even to wood and fiber cement materials, showing high performance and resistance that prevents cracks.
What are the new trends in tapes?
The adhesive tapes They are made up of two main elements: the support and its adhesive.
While the supports can be made of paper, plastic, fabric and even metal sheet; adhesives vary between natural or synthetic rubber, and synthetic polymers such as acrylic.
Currently, the tapes in common use are composed of elastomers, which are polymers that do not include metals in their composition and therefore show elastic behavior.
Depending on the stability of these polymers, the elasticity of the tape varies, the force of which is distributed according to the exact type of compound and the applied tension.
New trends focus on improving and reinforcing their properties, while adding new attributes such as UV resistance and high flexibility.
The plasticizers they are another compound that is beginning to be added to elastomers to make them more tempered and compliant.
On the other hand, antioxidant additives They are added to adhesives to stabilize them, making them much more resistant to degradation or oxidation by external agents.
The new solvent-free acrylic adhesives they can be effective up to months later outdoors, regardless of the impact of sun or humidity.
The use of the tapes is determined by the criteria of professionals who are looking for high quality products, with specialized attributes for each function. Allowing us to carry out work in increasingly complex conditions, without exposing or damaging the surface where we will carry out the application.
We have already met the Main types of tape and their most characteristic and common uses. The creativity and correct use of this article will allow us to further expand our knowledge about the functionalities of the product, helping us to reduce time and costs in each of the tasks.
In a future article we will address how to choose a ribbon, focusing on their main differences for each type of work.
