If you want to buy a tape you will definitely need to understand types of tapes. Because there are several types of tape in the market. Actually, they are different in material, adhesive & applications.
So, it is very important for you to recognize each tape according to its usage and quality. In this article, we have listed almost all types of tape. We also wrote the sectors that use them.
Types of Tape Used in Electrical
Electrical tapes are used to insulate the electrical wires. You may find it in both adhesive and no adhesive forms. There are several types of material used in them which make them suitable for different voltages. These tapes also protect you from electrical shocks and fires.
Rubber Tape: They are present in irregular surfaces. They are good insulators so you can use them to seal the wires or connections.
Vinyl Tape: Vinyl or PVC tape is a strong tape that is known for its durability & moisture control features. This tape comes in bright color and resists chemicals & abrasion. These features make this tape useful in several sectors.
Mastic Tape: Mastic tapes provide you extra protection than rubber tapes. They also come in an adhesive back side which can be attached with any type of surface. As a result, it makes a tight seal around your wires.
Varnished Cambric Tape: This tape comes in flexible cotton fabric which is used to cover electrical wires. It provides you resistance from moisture and cuts. Furthermore, it can handle up to 105°C (220°F) temperature.
High Temperature Tape: You can select this tape for the insulation of your electrical wires. The reason is its super hot resistance. It can resist from 120°C up to 300°C.
Types of Tape in Medical
You can’t use general tapes for medical purposes. Because in hospitals there is always a risk of germs and infections. There are some medical tapes that are made especially to handle scars, injuries, strains and blisters.
Silicone Scar Tape: This tape is gentle for you because it does not cause allergy issues. It also resists water. This thing makes it a smart choice for moist areas like your armpits or neckline. It does not harm your sensitive tissue. If your skin reacts fast, this tape feels safe and calm. The tape sticks well to your skin. It is a flexible option for you therefore, it bends and fits your body shape easily.
Wound Closure Strips: Well, these are porous tapes. You can use it to hold the edges of small cuts. In this way, the wound heals itself naturally with time.
Sports Tapes: As you know, you face injuries when you play. For this reason, you should use sports tape near joints like the ankle, wrists plus hands. If you apply this tape you save yourself from sprains & injuries.
Transparent Film Tape: As its name shows, this is a clear tape you see your wound without removing it. Basically, it is made up of BOPP or PU. That’s why you should use it as multipurpose tape to make invisible and strong grip.
Surgical Tape: What is surgical tape? It is pressure-sensitive tape. You can add it to your first ad box. Because it is useful to secure bandages, dressings & other medical devices with bodies.
Zinc Oxide Tape For Blisters: If you are a worker or support man this tape is for you. Because this tape works great for blister protection. The reason is, it reduces friction on hot surfaces. Always remember, some experts prohibit placing tape on open blisters because loose skin may peel when you remove it.
Types of Tape in Surveying
You may observe a specific category of tapes that are used only to measure or survey your places.
Linen/Cloth Tape: Linen tape is created with woven linen fiber. You may also see coatings of paint on it for water protection. It is a flexible option for you. Therefore, you should use it to measure offsets. Usually, you find it in lengths from 10 to 30 meters. And the width remains around 12 to 15 mm.
Metallic Tape: This type of tape is made up of linen, copper wires plus reinforced brass. You may find it in different lengths according to your need. Usually, these tapes are supplied in a leather case with winding devices for ease.
Steel Tape: You can guess from the name that it is created with steel. So, it can hold long stretches. It has wider applications; like you buy for home improvements, flooring, furniture, engineering and surveying. Its average length is 5m to 50m.
Invar Tape: If we take invar tape it is famous for its high precision measurement. Actually, special iron-nickel is used to make it (36% nickel plus 64% steel). This tool has low thermal expansion means it is suitable for base line and geodetic survey. It is more durable & water resistant than other tapes. This is the reason for its high cost.
Synthetic Tape: You can buy this tape as an alternative to steel tapes. Basically, it is manufactured with glass fibers & painted with PVC for extra protection. This type of tape can extend under force. Hence, it is not suitable where accurate measurements are needed.
Types of Warning Tapes
Warning tapes are highly visible tapes that are used to alert you about upcoming dangers. They are used to inform you about restricted & dangerous places. In this way, they are important to prevent mishaps.
Reflective Tapes: You have the option to buy sticky or non-sticky reflective tape. Basically, they have retroreflective properties due to glass beads. Usually, you may find them on vehicles, road signs, safety vests and traffic cones.
Underground Warning Tapes: This tape is buried above utility lines like water piper, fiber optics, electrical cables and gas supplies. Actually, the goal is to guide heavy vehicle drivers about the presence of underground supplies.
Flagging Tape: You may often find these non-adhesive tapes around trees, posts & barriers. They work as temporary markings for your outdoor environments. These tapes come in many different colors. Actually, each color gives you a different message.
Barricade Tape: These tapes are used as a temporary barrier to warn people about restrictions. You can purchase them to create boundaries on your construction sites, accident spots, crime scenes and others.
Types of Tape For Craft
There is a wide variety of crafting tapes that come in different colors & designs. They have vibrant and glittery colors to make our older things new and different. These tapes are used in arts work like temporary, framing posters, decorating pages and sticking on items.
Cellophane Tape: You can guess from its name that its making material is cellulose. Hence, it is transparent, adhesive and easy to tear tape. So, you install it for light packaging, gift packs, paper repairs and crafts.
Painters Tape (Drafting Tape): This is a very useful choice for you. Actually, it is a low-tack masking tape that is used in painting projects and crafts. It is easy to remove tape. Which means that you remove it easily even after 14 days. Simply, you place it on the wall then paint the desired place and remove it. You will get sharp and clean edges.
Drafting Dots Tape: This tape also works in the same way as a drafting or masking tape. The difference is its small pre-cut shape which makes it useful for small craft work.
Washi Tape: Well, its name comes from its material washi ( Japanese paper). This tape has a wide range of options in different colors and designs. So, you can select it to decorate your cards, wrap gifts, notebooks and dividers.
Types of Plumbers Tape
Plumber tape uses PTFE material, which is a non-flammable & non-toxic substance. Many people call plumber tape as thread seal tape, pipe wrap tape or seal tape. You can see that it is a non-adhesive tape with shock-absorbing quality. It can resist water, chemicals plus high temperature.
White: You purchase this item for basic water lines. It is available in one fixed density, for all your water lines.
Red/Pink: This is best for larger joints. Because they are high-density tapes, it is called that because its color is more pinkish than red.
Gray or Silver: It is a very thick layer of threads. This dense layer stops metal parts from sticking together. Therefore, your pipes turn or fit without jam issues.
Yellow: Yellow tape if mostly used for gas lines. For instance, natural gas pipes, propane & butane.
Green: Green tapes are designed for oxygen lines. Because they have no grease or oil at all, they keep the oxygen safe from fire risks.
Different Construction Tapes
As you are well aware, your job sites have multiple hazards and you do multiple jobs at the same time. Hence, you need different types of tapes for this. You will need plumber tapes, warning tapes, and many other tapes as well.
Duct Tape: It is a strong, cloth-based adhesive tape. The cloth makes it suitable to stick to different surfaces like metal racks, wooden pallets, and plastic containers. You can use it for your temporary or urgent work (cracked plastic & naked wires). In addition, you easily bundle wires, cables, pipes, and extensions together with it.
Scrim Tape: This tape also has gum on the backside. It is made of fiber, so it does not damage easily. You cover the joints with it. And its joint does not pull out due to movement.
Aluminum Foil Tape: Its name is due to metal foil that is used at its backside. But still it is a flexible and sticky tape. It comes with water, heat and weather resistant properties. Some aluminum tapes for highlighting.
Flashing Tape: This is also a sealing tape with strong adhesive. They act as a barrier and repair the windows, doors, vents and roofs.
Packaging Tape Types
Packaging tape is used to secure cardboards. These cardboards were then used for shipping, storage, handling and gifting. Their adhesive is commonly acrylic, hotmelt or rubber). These tapes are prepared with polypropylene, PVC or paper.
Tear Tape: What is tear tape? This is a special tape that can be torn easily without knife and scissors. But still it comes with a strong adhesive which is heat and pressure resistant. You may see it on cosmetics, medical, groceries, and food packings.
Kraft Tape: You should buy this tape if you want to pack bigger boxes, heavy machines or sharp-edged products. It is an eco-friendly option for you. It is manufactured with a special german paper kraft which means strength.
Filament Tape: If you want a fast application with super strong drip filament tape is for you. It is a tape that is reinforced with fiber glass. This is why you should use it to bundle heavy duty pipes, rods, wires and cardboards. Furthermore, it is not easy to open via hands with high tensile strength.
Floor Marking Tape
This is an adhesive tape which is made with PVC or vinyl. It is a thick tape that is used to mark hazards & divide spaces on the floor. Their thickness can vary from 5 mils to 50 mils. If we talk about the best floor marking tape its thickness is approximately 50 to 60 mils. You have multiple color options for floor marking tape that are made according to OSHA or ANSI standards.
Temporary Floor Marking Tape
Temporary floor marking tape is a removable tape used to mark areas on the floor for guidance. You use it to show walkways, hazards, directions or work zones. It sticks well but peels off easily without leaving residue. It’s perfect for factories & warehouses when you need clear markings that don’t have to be permanent.
Pavement Marking Tape
Pavement marking tape is a durable & reflective tape. Commonly, you see it on roads, highways, parking lots and driveways to create lines and symbols. It shows you lanes, crosswalks, stop lines or directions for drivers. This tape is strong, weather-resistant and sticks with strong grip to pavement, lasting longer under traffic and outdoor conditions.
Permanent Pavement Marking Tape
It is designed for long-term usage on roads and highways. You see it as lane lines, edge lines, directions or symbols. Basically, it remains fixed on the surface for years. Additionally, this tape can resist heavy traffic load, rain & heat. You choose it when paint does not last and clear road guidance matters.
Temporary Pavement Marking Tape
On the other hand, temporary pavement marking tape is a short-term road marking solution. You should use it during road work & at construction zones. It shows temporary lanes, detours or warnings. It sticks well on pavement but you easily clean it later without residue. You must pick it when markings need to be changed after work ends.
Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Tape
When you observe ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene tape, it is a strong adhesive tape made from special plastic. It is also named as UHMW tape, UPE tape and UHMW film tape. In this tape, you get a very slick surface with low friction. It may handle surface cracks better than teflon tapes. This is a good option for you because it has impact and chemical protection. You use it on chutes, conveyors plus machine guides.
To Sum Up
Finally, we can say you have now enough knowledge to select tapes according to your specific field. All tapes come with its pros and cons. Therefore, try to gather all needed information about a tape.
We also manufacture all kinds of tapes in our factory. You can send us a message and tell your requirements. Our engineers will be happy to offer you any kind of tape customized according to your needs.
FAQ
What is Aluminum Tape Used For?
Mostly, you select it to seal leakages in duct & cover small roof leaks. It is also useful to insulate pipes to protect them from heat. Insulation of electrical wire is also done by aluminum tape.
How to Remove Tape?
To remove tape, you should apply heat with a hair dryer. Actually, heat makes the adhesive soft. After that, you peel the tape with your hands. If the tape leaves sticky marks use oil like cooking oil or WD-40.
See Also:
An Ultimate Guide To Warning Tapes vs Meshes
