What factors should consider when applying the tape to get the best results?

There are  three factors that can affect the performance of the bond:

1. The pressure applied to the surface to form the bond

2. The ambient temperature and environmental conditions when the tape is applied

3. The cleanliness of the surface to which the tape is being applied

When testing tapes for a new application it is vital to ensure that these three issues are addressed. Therefore, if the bond fails, one can determine with a degree of confidence that one has selected an inappropriate product. Should one encounter a problem with an application where a product has performed satisfactorily in the past, it is normal to immediately assume that the tape is at fault. Whilst this may be possible, in the vast majority of cases it is down to one or a mixture of the following factors:

1.Pressure

The required pressure to form a satisfactory bond will depend on the softness of the adhesive, its coat weight (mass of adhesive) and the smoothness of the surface. Thus, adhering a double sided cloth with a high coat weight to a smooth surface is going to require much less pressure to wet-out than a thin, pure acrylic filmic tape on a textured surface.

2.Temperature & Ambient Conditions

All pressure sensitive adhesives are susceptible to temperature. As the temperature rises, so an adhesive will soften and thus they flow and wet-out more easily on a surface. Most manufacturers recommend that the temperature, at time of application, is above 15° C. Consequently one can regularly encounter problems with pressure sensitive tapes during the cooler, winter months. This phenomenon is very easily demonstrated by putting a roll of tape in a refrigerator overnight and then testing it the following morning. You will notice that the adhesive is very “dead” to the touch but warm it up and observe the difference. In large factories, open warehouses or construction sites, where it is not practical to warm the local environment, it may be necessary to keep rolls warm by a heater or some other place until actually being used. Though ideally, both the tape AND the bonding surface should be warm.

Apart from temperature, moisture can also affect the quality of the bond. This can either be at times of very high relative humidity where the atmosphere is close to saturation or close to the dew point on cold mornings. Metal surfaces are particularly susceptible to moisture condensing on them and thus bond strengths being compromised. Surface Preparation

It is vital that surfaces are presented for bonding clean, dry and free from any surface contaminants. Surface contaminants can include dust, dirt, grease, rust or other oxidants, mold release agents from plastics, residual detergents, oil from skin and loose particles from unsealed surfaces. All such foreign bodies have the effect of deadening the adhesive and degrading the bond strength that can be achieved.

When cleaning a surface ensure that you only wipe in one direction, to prevent cross-contamination and ensure that the surfaces are completely dry before applying the tape. It is also important to avoid touching or handling the adhesive as the oil on one’s skin will deaden the adhesive’s tack.

3. Structural Bonding

Particular care needs to be taken with surface preparation since contaminated surfaces can seriously degrade the quality of bond that can be achieved. It is strongly recommended to only use Isopropanol or a specifically recommended surface cleaner as part of this process.

You may clean the surfaces with a solvent and lint-free cloth
Lightly abrade the entire keying surface using a scouring pad, this will assist in removing any surface oxides or mold release agents and also provide increased keying surface for the adhesive.
Final clean using the solvent to remove any loose particles.

Note: The following, commonly used solvents, are not recommended for cleaning surfaces as they do not necessarily evaporate cleanly and can leave a surface film that may impair bonding: petrol, methylated spirits, turpentine, kerosene, citrus cleaners and window cleaners.

It is recommended that you seek technical support from us when you find that the product selected does not meet your application requirement or expectations. We can assist with primers for a range of surfaces.