Adhesive backing is a thin material coated with adhesive used to make tape and tape-like objects. Different types of tape use different types of adhesive backing for specific purposes, such as plastic film for clear office and packing tapes, paper for duct tape and gummed adhesive tapes, fabric for strength and flexibility, plastic for electrical tape and adhesive bandages, and metal foil for durability and conductivity. Multiple types of media can be combined for their different qualities.
An adhesive backing is any type of thin material coated with an adhesive for making tape and tape-like objects. Its main purpose is to give the adhesive a shape so that it is easy to apply and to provide strength for the bond. Different types of tape use different types of adhesive backing to suit specific purposes.
One of the most common types of adhesive backing is the thin plastic film used to make clear office tapes and packing tapes. This film is lightweight, reasonably tear-resistant, and most importantly, very cheap to produce. Its low price makes it suitable for situations that require many small pieces of tape or large areas of coverage.
Paper is another popular adhesive backing. It is used in duct tape and many water-activated gummed adhesive tapes because it is writable and is easy to tear. The fiber structure of thick paper adhesive backings means that these products adhere well to small, detailed objects that film-backed adhesives may not adhere well.
Another type of support that sees frequent use is fabric. Used where strength is the primary determining factor, fabric adhesive backing is generally very strong due to its woven nature. It is also one of the more flexible mounts and is often used where its ability to stretch slightly is useful. Some examples of fabric backing include duct tape and surgical tape.
Many types of plastics other than cling film are also used as adhesive backings. Electrical tape is usually made with a vinyl backing so it doesn’t conduct electricity and can be easily molded around connections. Adhesive bandages, also known as adhesive plasters, are often made with a series of plastic or foam backings designed to emulate and move with human skin. Other features of plastic adhesive mounts include their durability and the fact that they are usually water resistant.
Metal foil is sometimes used as an adhesive backing when the situation calls for a tape that is durable and will hold its shape. In some cases, metallic foils could also be used for their conductive properties, the opposite of electrical tape. Another common use of film as an adhesive backing is when an irregularly shaped object needs to be made reflective.
In some cases, multiple types of media can be combined to take advantage of their different qualities. For example, duct tape has a fabric adhesive backing which is then coated with plastic to make it stronger and water resistant. Loosely woven fabric or fiberglass filaments can also be combined with a transparent film to create a strong, hard-to-tear adhesive tape.
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