Signgeer - Super Tools for Sign Heroes - Edition 22 - Catalog - Page 379
Your guide to
STICKYtapes
THINGS
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Step 3:
What temperature resistance do
you need?
Step 4:
What other conditions should I
consider?
Next, take your environment into
consideration and choose a
temperature-resistant tape. The tackiness of
the adhesive tape is very
temperature-dependent and the colder the
conditions, the poorer the bond will be. If
you must work at lower temperatures,
then use a double-sided tape
specifically designed for colder
climates. The same holds true for
extremely hot or wet conditions.
Humidity, dirt, and UV conditions
all play a role.
How long do you need the tape to hold? Meaning,
do you need a temporary or permanent solution?
If you need to remove the tape, do you need it to be
a clean removal?
• What will the tape be exposed to while you are
applying it, and afterward? Consider moisture, heat,
cold, water, UV, and dirt
• Does the tape need to be a certain thickness for
the application to work?
• What width do you need? The correct surface to
weight ratio needs to be considered - have you
applied enough tape?
• Is there any heat involved in the application
process, i.e. in manufacturing?
Surface: Is the surface clean?
Traces of dust, dirt, grease, and even the slightest
trace of moisture will contaminate the adhesive
surface and act as a barrier between the two.
To best prepare the surface, wipe with a clean
lint free cloth and a suitable solvent that does not
attack the surface to be bonded. A popular
choice is IPA.
As a last resort, you may need to change the
character of your surface to get an adhesive
tape to stick to it. This could mean keying it
with an abrasive pad or applying a coat of
primer that is compatible with both the surface
and the adhesive.
Engineered Plastics
Engineered Plastics are very
common in manufacturing: they’re
low-cost, strong and sturdy, yet
they’re also lightweight and easy to
mold into complicated shapes to suit
specific needs. Engineered Plastics
have higher surface energies than
LSE Plastics, so they’re easier for
tapes and adhesives to spread and
adhere.
Low Surface Energy Plastics
Tape Storage
As a general rule, the storage of
adhesive tapes should be at room
or ambient temperature and at
50-70% relative humidity.
Store out of direct sunlight in a
clean environment.
Individual tapes will have further
storage information on their data
sheets.
LSE Plastics are generally soft,
low-density and have a low melting
point. These low surface energy
materials stick together and repel
liquids, making them difficult to bond.
3M has designed adhesives and tapes
that work, but there are far fewer
options to choose from.
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