If you’re unfamiliar with the nuances of tape, it’s easy to assume that every adhesive is pretty much the same. There might be slight differences in their appearance and translucency, but at the end of the day, tape is tape … right?

Not exactly. Though all tape is sticky and designed to hold or fasten something together, no two adhesives are exactly alike. There are broad differences between duct tape, Scotch tape, masking tape and PVC tape, and these differences go far beyond visuals. To help you make the right selection for your business’s needs, we’d like to take a closer look at four important properties to consider.

1.) Tape backing substrate. Tape backing substrate refers to the material you plan on applying the tape to. If you own an e-commerce business, you probably tape cardboard or other paper-based materials together to form boxes or other types of packaging. If you’re an electrician or landscaper, you likely work with PVC piping, wires or metal. Obviously, the surfaces of these materials are very different from one another. Therefore, it’s important to use a tape that adheres to them without losing its integrity.

2.) Strength of the adhesive material. Some tapes are much stronger than others. There are tapes designed to withstand harsh environmental conditions like extreme heat, cold or moisture while others are manufactured to hold up in the event of an impact or collision. If you’re only using tape for arts and crafts, a light adhesive is probably fine. If your tape is outdoors, spending time under the Arizona sun, you’ll need something much stronger.

3.) Adhesive thickness. Scotch tape is much thinner than duct tape, while duct tape is much thinner than FiberFix. In most cases, the thicker the tape adhesive, the stronger and more supportive it is. When you use a strong adhesive, you can feel confident knowing it will hold for its intended purpose. What’s more, if you’re using it for an outdoor application, you won’t have to reapply it so frequently.

4.) Elongation at the break. Elongation refers to how far you can stretch a piece of tape before it breaks or tears. Every type of tape comes with an “elongation rating” measured in a percentage. The elongation rating refers to how much stress a particular type of tape can handle once it’s applied.

If after reading this blog, you’re still unsure of the type of tape that’s right for your specific application, don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’re always happy to answer questions and make recommendations. Call (801) 201-1520 or visit our website and fill out a digital contact form.