There are different types of tapes which are beneficial for different uses. Our aim here will be to explore different tapes such as glass tapes, butyl tapes, Tesa plate mounting tapes, and their varied applications.
Glass Tape
This is a non-adhesive tape that is commonly used in building fiber glass or repair work. These tapes consist of glass strands that are woven together to achieve more strength. When used in combination with resin, they form a rigid structure and offer reinforcement as well as a protected and smoother surface. Glass tape is usually applied after the process of shaping.
These tapes are available in different lengths and widths in the form of a roll and have their sides stitched to stop issues such as fraying. Some of the application areas of glass tapes are:
- Provide extra reinforcement to edges or joints
- Facilitate better repairs
- Aid with construction of kayaks and boats
How is glass tape applied?
The good thing about glass tape is that it does not contain any binder, which is the main reason why it can be utilized with any kind of resin such as polyurethane, epoxy, and polyester. Additionally, it is possible to apply glass tape using either a dry or wet technique.
In case of larger applications it is also possible to utilize several pieces of these glass tapes together. However, you should keep an overlap of around 50mm while joining two glass tapes together.
Uses of Glass Tapes
GRP or Fiberglass Flat Roofing
Glass tape is utilized for reinforcing joints present in trims and decking of a flat roof. Additionally, glass tape is a lot thinner when compared to glass bandage, providing it lower visibility and resulting in a smoother finish.
Boat Repair and Building
If any small sections of a boat are to be repaired, then glass tape can be utilized as reinforcement. To provide better reinforcement, glass tape is applied over the hull seams close to the edging.
Kayaks/Canoes
This type of tape is utilized for reinforcing sections of a canoe that will be facing a higher degree of abrasion. Glass tape is commonly applied to parts of the canoe that will be encountering friction from stones close to the shore line. In addition, it is also used as reinforcement in the middle section of the canoe.
Butyl Tape
This is a form of sealing tape (adhesive) that is utilized in different applications. It can be single or double-sided tape and is commonly utilized in repair and construction industries. The main aspect of butyl tapes is that they combine both, adhesive as well as sealing power. Let us now look at some of the applications of butyl tapes.
Roofing
The good thing about butyl tape is that it seals seams, cracks, and other small holes that are present on the roof. In addition, it proves to be effective for different types of roofing material ranging from asphalt to metal, tar paper, cement, and vinyl.
Vents
This kind of tape can be used for all vents, both inside as well as outside buildings. The main function of butyl tape is to block the space that is present between the vent and wall, to prevent the entry or exit of air flow and to also stop moisture from seeping into the building.
Pipes
For pipes, it can also be utilized in the form of a waterproofing tape. Another application of butyl tape is to use it as a containment for silicone and other sealants.
Glass and Windows
This tape also finds use as a glass sealant. At the time of window installation, this tape functions like an adhesive and insulating barrier between the frame and glass. Additionally, the tape assists the glass to remain inside its frame and it also safeguards windows from the elements, both inside and outside.
If butyl tape of a certain thickness is used, then it can also function as a small shim between the window frame and wall.
Tesa Plate Mounting Tapes
Tesa plate mounting tapes that have cloth or film backing are utilized whenever a cushion is not necessary. The benefit of these tapes is that you can use them in varied print jobs. These print jobs include:
- Flexo printing for corrugated boards
- Flexo printing for film along with compressible sleeves
- Label printing (letterpress)
- Printing of cups (dry offset)
A few of the main features that make tesa plate mounting tapes popular are:
- Reliable adhesion.
- Multiple cloth and film backing materials to ensure necessary product thickness can be maintained along with easy and stable tape application.
- Improved release liners that facilitate easy application and also proper handling.
There are different plate mounting tapes that you can select from depending upon your printing requirements. For instance, when thin plates are to be mounted for achieving raster printing, a harder printing plate is required.
On the other hand, if color transfer is to be performed in combination with solid printing then plate mounting tape with firmer foam proves to be more useful. Moreover, these tapes are considered ideal for flexographic printing due to their varied foam thickness, rubber adhesive masses, multiple adhesive strengths, and acrylic adhesive masses.
Another benefit of tesa plate mounting tapes is that they facilitate the smooth mounting of printing plates. In addition, due to these tapes the printing plates can be easily repositioned and removed.
As we can see there are different types of tapes that can be selected depending upon your needs and desired results. These tapes are beneficial in different application areas and facilitate the work they are used for.
