Selection Guide

The information below integrates those factors to help you narrow your selection to fewer products for a more in-depth evaluation.

3M Backing Materials

In many applications, 3M backings add a second surface that affects how the underlying surface relates to the environment. To optimize that relationship, 3M backings offer a wide choice of performance and handling characteristics.

Backings	Characteristics
Paper
Crepe	Conformable, easy tear.
Flatback	Strong, smooth, good for straight line masking.
Kraft	Strong, some versions are repulpable.
Tissue	Thin, porous to allow adhesive penetration of sheet.
Plastic
Polyester	Strong even when thin, chemical resistant, high temperature resistance.
Polypropylene	Resistant to most solvents, conformable, tear resistant.
Polyethylene	Conformable; easy to stretch; chemical, acid, and moisture resistant, economical.
Polyethylene / Polypropylene Co-Polymer	Conformable; chemical, acid, and moisture resistant.
UHMW – Polyethylene	High abrasion resistance, low coefficient of friction, antistick surface easy to clean.
Polyvinyl Chloride (Vinyl)	Conformable, abrasion resistant, resistant to most chemicals.
Polyimide (e.g., Kapton®)	High temperature resistance, excellent dimensional stability, good insulation properties.
Polyamide (Nylon)	High temperature resistance, high strength and toughness, good chemical resistance but can absorb moisture.
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)	Low coefficient of friction, excellent high temperature and chemical resistance, antistick/release properties.
Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)	Water-soluble, organic solvent resistant, high temperature resistance.
Polyurethane	Abrasion and scratch resistant, impact and puncture resistant, UV and corrosion resistant.
Polyvinyl Fluoride (e.g., Tedlar®)	Excellent weather resistance, excellent long-term UV resistance, thin yet stiff feel.
Cloth
Cotton	Strong, easy tear by hand, soft and drapable.
Glass Cloth	Strong, high temperature resistance, flame-resistant.
Polyethylene Coated	Strong yet hand tearable, abrasion resistant, water-resistant, conformable.
Non-woven
Fiber	Air permeable, strong enough to hold expanding foams.
Metals
Aluminum	Heat and light reflective, moisture and chemical resistant, flame-resistant, outdoor weather resistant, conformable.
Lead	Electrically conductive, acid resistant, high conformability, x-ray opacity.
Rubber
Neoprene	Abrasion resistant, die-cuttable.
Combination (Laminates)
Paper/Polyethylene	Weather and chemical resistant, hand tearable, stretch resistant.
Metalized/Polyester	Reflective, decorative.
Glass Cloth/PTFE	High temperature resistance, high strength.
Glass Cloth/Aluminum	Very high temperature resistance, high strength.
Non-woven/Aluminum	High heat and cold resistance.

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3M Pressure Sensitive Adhesives

Most of these specialty tapes feature a 3M pressure sensitive adhesive that bonds the backing to another surface on contact. Each adhesive has different characteristics that affect production and end-use performance.

Adhesives
Rubber	Standard Acrylic	Modified Acrylic	Silicone
High initial bond	Moderate initial bond	Bonds to wider variety than standard acrylic	Fair initial bond
Softer	Firmer	Softer	Very firm
Widest variety of surfaces including low surface energy materials*	High surface energy*	Many surfaces	Fewer surfaces
Up to 350°F	Up to 450°F	Up to 300°F	Up to 600°F, excellent low temperature performance
Fair chemical resistance	Excellent chemical resistance	Good chemical resistance	Excellent chemical resistance
Fair UV resistance	Excellent UV resistance	Moderate UV resistance	Excellent UV resistance
Poor aging	Excellent aging	Durable	Excellent aging
Removable	Permanent	Various	Removable
Good solvent resistance	Excellent solvent resistance	Good solvent resistance	Excellent solvent resistance

*Surface energy ranges from high to low. To illustrate the concept of surface energy, think of water on the unwaxed hood of a car.

• The unwaxed hood has high surface energy and water on the hood flows into puddles.
• In comparison, a waxed hood has low surface energy and the water beads up rather than flows out.
• Similar to water, adhesive on a high-surface-energy surface flows and "wets out" the surface. "Wetting out" is required to form a strong bond.

As a rule of thumb, the higher the surface energy, the greater the strength of adhesion. Specially formulated adhesives are available for low surface energy surfaces. Regardless of surface energy, the substrate must be unified, dry, and clean to maximize adhesive contact.

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