3M™ Specialty Tapes offer solutions from noise and vibration damping, UV protection, and friction reduction to heat dissipation, fine line masking, paint stripping, etc.
In this line of specialty tapes, you'll find metal foil tapes, glass cloth tapes, polyester tapes, vinyl tapes and more. These products can help you meet and resolve many challenges simply and effectively.
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
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.
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
Contact us if you need product, technical or application advice or want to collaborate with a 3M Technical Specialist.
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