Free Shipping
Follow Us:
Search
To order by phone or for product assistance Call Toll Free: 855-632-8520

The Supplies Shops Glossary for Different Types of Tape

The Supplies Shops Glossary for Different Types of Tape

Glossary of Terms

Many people think tape is tape, but there are many different types of tapes depending on the application. It can be made using many materials, adhesives and coatings. Some tapes are designed for specific uses and industries while others are for more general fastening.

This is a glossary of terms that you may come across on The Supplies Shops. We’ve put this together to help you find the best type of tape for your business. Please click a topic below to jump to that definition or simply browse down the page. If you still have questions about commercial tape, you can call The Supplies Shops at 855-632-8520 or email [email protected] for personalized service.

 

Abrasion Resistance
Acrylic Adhesive
ATG Tape
Bi-Directional
Biaxially
Conformability
Crepe
Die-cutting
Electroplating
Flatback Paper
Flexographic
Hot Melt
HVAC
Kraft
Low-tack
Mylar
Opaguing
Polyester
Polyethylene
Polypropylene
Powder Coating
Removability
Repulpable
Rubber Adhesive
Shear Strength
Solvent-Resistant
Splice
Synthetic Adhesive
Tensile Strength
Thermoformable
UPVC
UV Resistant

Abrasion Resistance is the ability of a tape to withstand rubbing or wearing away by friction and still function satisfactorily.

Back to Previous Page Top of Page

Acrylic Adhesive is very clear and won’t age or yellow even after exposure to the sun and elements. This adhesive holds up well at extremely low temperatures.

Back to Previous Page Top of Page

ATG Tape (Adhesive Transfer Tape) is a permanent all-purpose transfer tape that offers excellent adhesion to most paper stocks. It is most commonly used in picture framing and can also bond a wide variety of materials such as: metal, wood, glass, paper, paint, and plastic. ATG Tape is reverse wound on the roll so it is designed to be used in an ATG dispenser or tape gun.

Back to Previous Page Top of Page

Bi-Directional is related to strapping tapes, in which the reinforcing materials consists of filaments in both the length and the cross directions. This filament is usually made of  woven cloth.

Back to Previous Page Top of Page

Biaxially (BOPP Film) is a result of orienting the molecular structure of polypropylene in two uniform directions. Biaxially oriented tape provides higher tensile strength while being waterproof and can be used in commercial, household, and industrial applications.

Back to Previous Page Top of Page

Conformability is the ability of tape to fit snugly or make essentially complete contact with a curved or rough surface and/or of an irregularly shaped object without creasing or folding.

Back to Previous Page Top of Page

Crepe is paper with crinkled or puckered textures. This allows the paper to stretch or elongate. Crepe masking tape is useful because it curves and conforms to irregular surfaces better than flat paper.

Back to Previous Page Top of Page

Die-cutting is a process by which any shape, pattern or design can be cut out of various pressure-sensitive tapes, utilizing customer-made dies.

Back to Previous Page Top of Page

Electroplating is a process where electrochemical reaction is used to put a fine metallic coating on an object. Electroplating has important uses in the automotive industry for chrome plating and in the electronics industry for optics and sensors.

Back to Previous Page Top of Page

Flatback Paper tapes are used for packaging, box sealing, splicing, and temporary holding. They are more heavy-duty than basic masking tapes.

Back to Previous Page Top of Page

Flexographic A system of printing on a rotary press employing water-based ink. It’s used especially for printing on plastic, paper or cardboard.

Back to Previous Page Top of Page

Hot Melt (rubber adhesive) is a pressure sensitive adhesive applied to the backing in a hot molten form, that cools to form a conventional sensitive adhesive.

Back to Previous Page Top of Page

HVAC (tape) stands for heating, ventilation and air conditioning. It combines the sealing and protective benefits of aluminum with the ease and use of tape.

Back to Previous Page Top of Page

Kraft is a sulfate wood pulp paper often used for flatback tape.

Back to Previous Page Top of Page

Low-tack is where the tape’s instant stick is not high and is designed to be removed. It usually appears on tapes designed for masking applications.

Back to Previous Page Top of Page

Mylar is a polyester made in extremely thin sheets of great tensile strength and used for recording tapes, insulating film, fabrics, etc.

Back to Previous Page Top of Page

Opaguing is to cover flaws in negative with tape. It describes a material or substance which will not transmit light.

Back to Previous Page Top of Page

Polyester is a strong film having good resistance to moisture, solvents, oils and many other chemicals. It is usually transparent, although it is available with a metalized finish.

Back to Previous Page Top of Page

Polyethylene is any of the various lightweight thermoplastics that are resistant to chemicals and moisture. Polyethylene tape is used for packaging, pipes and tubing, insulation, textiles, and coatings on metal.

Back to Previous Page Top of Page

Polypropylene is a very light, highly resistant, thermoplastic resin used to make coatings, plastic pipes, packaging materials and fibers for clothing fabrics.

Back to Previous Page Top of Page

Powder Coating is the process of coating a surface in which a powder material is applied using an electrostatic or compressed air method. The applied powder is then heated to its melting point, after which it flows to form a smooth film which dries to form a firm, durable finish very resistant to scratches, cracking, peeling, UV rays, and rust.

Back to Previous Page Top of Page

Removability is the ability to remove the tape from the substrate without damaging or contaminating the substrate under specified conditions, usually after a long period of time.

Back to Previous Page Top of Page

Repulpable tape means that it can be recycled.

Back to Previous Page Top of Page

Rubber Adhesive A pressure sensitive blend of rubber-based materials and tackifying resin. Typically, rubber adhesives have a high initial bond and adhere to a wide variety of surfaces.

Back to Previous Page Top of Page

Shear Strength is the ability of the adhesive to resist force applied across the tape, forcing the substrates to slide over each other.

Back to Previous Page Top of Page

Solvent-Resistant (tapes) are made of two components: a carrier and an adhesive. Solvent resistant tapes are used in applications such as coils, harnesses and capacitors that undergo extreme temperature variations.

Back to Previous Page Top of Page

Splice is a junction where two things such as paper, film or tape have been joined together.

Back to Previous Page Top of Page

Synthetic Adhesive is a chemically manufactured adhesive derived from either thermoplastics or thermosets.

Back to Previous Page Top of Page

Tensile Strength is a measure of the ability of a material to resist a force that tends to pull it apart horizontally.

Back to Previous Page Top of Page

Thermoformable is having the ability to be shaped using heat and pressure.

Back to Previous Page Top of Page

UPVC (Unplasticized Vinyl) tape is a tough, durable plastic film. It can be used for making window frames and other parts of buildings.

Back to Previous Page Top of Page

UV Resistant is the ability of any material to withstand extended exposure to ultra-violet rays without degradation, hardening or excessive discoloration.

Back to Previous Page Top of Page
The Supplies Shops BBB Business Review Government Contracting Information Authorize.Net Merchant - Click to Verify SSL Customer Reviews