Foam tapes have a variety of applications and are very much not just limited in their uses. Foam tapes can be used in many applications such as gaskets, bonding, sealing, weather stripping, thermal insulation and vibration dampening. Foam tapes are mostly used in industries such as appliance and automotive manufacture, as well as in shower, bath and window fabrication.
Foam Tape Types
Single Sided Tapes - With only one side of the tape having adhesive, this tape works great for gaskets and protective packaging to name just a few uses. It serves when the material has an irregular surface and is likely to expand or reduce in size to ensure the gap is filled.
Double Sided Tapes - These have adhesive applied to both sides of the foam. Mostly used for mounting applications, but also perfect in many other applications. They allow two different surfaces to expand at different rates but staying bonded as they flex in the temperature conditions.
Foam Material Types
- EPDM is a synthetic rubber produced for good weathering and resistant to low and high temperatures. Suitable for outdoor uses.
- PVC is a good general purpose foam with good resistance to ageing, UV light and weathering. Available as a single sided or double sided tape and can vary in densities from soft to hard. PVC is a general purpose tape that has similar characteristics to EPDM. The foam has good ageing and weathering resistance. Usually flame retardant under compression.
- Polyethylene is available as a single sided or double sided tape and can vary in densities from soft to hard. A good general purpose foam with good resistance to ageing, UV light and weathering. Polyurethane is a general purpose tape due to its low cost. Available as a single sided or double sided tape, however soft density foams have poor ageing characteristics when exposed to weather and UV light. Higher density foams offer much better ageing properties.