Facts About Double Sided Tapes from a Tape Expert

     The owner of Tape Solutions, Inc. (http://www.tapesolutionsinc.com/), Kim Lawrence (aka The Tapelady), has over 28 years of experience in the adhesive tape industry and is considered a “tape expert”.  She shares much of her knowledge with her customers in a way that her customers better understand terminology that can be difficult to understand.

     There are many adhesive tape manufacturers located in the United States.  All of the major players, such as 3M, Intertape, Tesa, Shurtape, and Cantech do not sell to the end user.  They utilize a number of authorized wholesale tape distributors located all over the United States in order to sell their products to the end user, typically businesses, school districts, and government.  The distributors purchase products from the manufacturers, who usually have large minimum order requirements, and bring into their warehouses to sell.  It is up to each distributor what products and sizes of adhesive tapes in the manufacturer’s line they wish stock.  Many distributors, like Tape Solutions, will carry multiple manufacturer’s products.

     One of the most interesting product categories is double sided or double faced tape.  This term refers to a tape that has an adhesive applied to both sides of the backing, i.e., double-faced film tape is a poly film (the backing) that has an acrylic adhesive on each side.  Most double faced tapes have a removable liner applied to one side.  Many people confuse a liner with the backing.  The liner material is usually a silicone-treated paper material, but sometimes they are crepe paper or film liners.  You can get just about any backing material, such as paper, films, and cloth, in a double-sided version.
One of the more unique double sided products is a ultra high bond tape (which is a cross to 3M’s Very High Bond or VHB tape).  UHB tapes were manufactured to replace other methods of joining two surfaces together where a permanent bond is required.  These other methods this tape can replace are metal fasteners, such as screws and rivets; welding; and glues and epoxies that require long cure times.  UHB tapes can be used in extreme conditions, such as outdoor and transportation applications where the tape needs to withstand varying temperatures, moisture, UV, wind, and vibration.  They come in a variety of colors, sizes,  and thicknesses that can adhere to glass, plastics, metals, and wood.  Many people categorize this product in the foam tape family, but it isn’t your traditional foam tape at all.  UHB tapes are made from an acrylic polymer material that is all in one.  There is no seperate backing and adhesive, but instead a thick material that bonds to a variety of surfaces.  The UHB product line is designed for applications where removability is not desirable.  They are very permanent and after 72 hours it becomes almost impossible to break the bond.  Common uses for this type of product are in outdoor signs, construction, manufacture of furniture, transportation vehicles, and much more.

     Another popular selling double sided tape is adhesive transfer tape designed for use in an ATG dispenser.  ATG tape is a handy product to have around for a variety of uses when you need to assemble pocket folders, create invitations, scrapbooking, and much more.  Removing the liner is done by the dispenser, so all you have to do is roll out the adhesive onto your surface and adhere to the other surface.

     Please feel free to ask questions about your double-sided tape needs or to comment about how you use your product.  We want to hear from you.  Also, check out our double side tape section in our website.