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Industrial adhesive tapes are one of the greatest inventions in the world of construction and manufacturing, but not acknowledged that much. The applications of tapes are that much vast that they cannot be listed properly and counted, it is a universal tool with uncountable applications from the heavy industrial automotive assembly lines, aerospace, to simple and small insulation in electronics.This simple invention has a fascinating chemistry at work, main in the adhesives part which is used to bond the backing material with the surface. And to understand this chemistry helps us understand the working of these tapes along with the ability of chooseing the right kind of tape for the right task, also it makes us able to do some developments in this technology for filling in the gaps which we usually observe when we had a task at hand to bond two things together.Some Basics of AdhesivesAdhesion is the process in due to which two surfaces are stick together. In this interaction several forces come into play, which include the basic mechanical interlocking of two pieces, the van der waals forces which exist between inter molecules, and the hydrogen bonding which is stronger than the van der waals forces, and the strongest of these is the chemical bonding. In the case of tapes, their adhesives should be able to form a strong bonding with the substrates on which the tapes are applied, which are usually in the form of metals, glass, or wood. So, the bonding of adhesives and their backing material is dependant on the factors of the substrates like the cleanliness of them, their surface energy, and the texture or surface design of those materials. Types of AdhesivesThere are many types of adhesives used in the industrial tapes for fulfilling different types of tasks and for suiting different substrates materials. These include acrylic, rubber, silicone, and epoxy adhesives.Acrylic AdhesivesThese types of adhesives are UV rays resistant, temperature resistant, and also durable. These adhesives form bonding with the substrate using mechanical interlocking and also from the chemical bonding. Due to such characteristics they have a versatile outdoor applications. Rubber AdhesivesThese types of adhesives are used for their quick fix with the surface, and also due to their flexibility. But there bonding is not that stong and consist of mechanical interlocking and weak van der waals forces. So, we can not use these adhesives where the temperatures are high and also where there is chemicals involved. Silicone AdhesivesThese adhesives have a good temperature resistance, and are flexible and durable, so this makes them ideal for the use at high temperature areas. In this both chemical bonding (which is a strong bond) and mechanical interlocking helps in the bonding of the materials, so making a durable bonding which can bear extreme conditions with changing material conditions. Epoxy AdhesivesThese are the most durable and yet least common types of adhesives used in tapes. These adhesives provides the strongest bonding with the surface and are resistant to many chemicals and extreme conditions. But their use is resitricted to special applications where the strength and extra durability is required. Chemistry of Adhesive BondingThe adhesive bonds consists of several steps which are followed for the accurate and strong bonding of the surfaces. First of which is the surface preparation in which we have to keep the surface on which the adhesive is to be applied is cleaned. Any contaminants can be weaken the bonds between the surfaces, so dust particless, oil remanants, or even moisture has to be removed from the surface first. This cleaning of the surface increases the surface energy which improves the bonds. The metals have high surface energy than the plastics or woods.Then the adhesive should be completely spreaded onto the surface for even and strong bonding, and for complete spreading of the adhesives, those should be less viscous in the start of the curing process, also the surface energy should be better for a better bond.The curing of the adhesives is different for every types of adhesive being used, after spreading of the adhesive it start the process of curing which can be of some minutes to some hours, and as the time goes on the adhesive solidifies making the bond stronger. In this curing process the bonding, either weak or strong, is developed creating forces of attraction between the adhesive and the substrate. These bonds can be effected by the environmental conditions like the temperature and the humidity levels, which if are favourable for the reactions can make the bonding strong, or if unfavourable then they can even stops the reactions midway so that a complete and stronger bonds are not made between all the molecules of the surface and the adhesives.The chemistry of the adhesives can be used by the users of the adhesives for making the conditions favourable for the types of adhesives they are using which can increase the efficiency and productivity of their products. So, a deep understanding of these adhesives will be favourable for the consumers as well as for the development of much better adhesives in the future, as this field of adhesives and industrial tapes is a never ending field, with innovations being made daily for the fullfilment of the needs that are coming ahead day by day.

Industrial tapes is that tool which is being used everywhere, in our dailylife house and office works, in industries manufacturing and construction. But the main thing is the innovation of these simple adhesives which are being place on the tapes extracted initailly from some trees and now are some sophisticated engineering works.In this article we will be exploring the evolution of these tapes simple and industrial, where we will highligts some main developments in ttapes and also some advances that bring them to this level of use around the different industries.The BeginningThe history of adhesives come from the ancient civilizations who uses natural extracts from the animals and plants for the sticking of substances. The egyptians uses animal glue resins for this purpose and the chinese uses tree extracts for this same purpose. These ancient adhesives laid the foundation of what these modern tapes are. Paper TapeThe first form of these adhesive materials comes in the form of paper tape. As paper is being used for a long time now so these tapes came first into existance. It was invented by accident in the 19th century, and the initial paper tapes are simple papers with sticky materials on them.Birth of Duct TapeThen in the 20th century the innovation in the tapes industry started and production of tapes started commercially. Firstly in 1942, J&J Company developed the duct tape for the first time, which was initally used for the sealing of ammunation cases, which quickly became a versatile tool due to their strength, flexibility, and durability. It was of use in many areas like in construction, in homes daily use for repairs, and even for arts.Electrical TapeIn the mid 20th century the electrical tapes were designed for the purpose of insulation alternative of the wires and elecrical circuits. It is made from vinyl which is a durable material and is heat and chemical resistant. As this industry is ever growing, so the use of electrical tapes is also growing with it and making it a successful invention day by day.Along with these other specailty tapes were also discovered like masking and gaffer tapes, which are not that durable but fulfills the tasks of temporary masking or tagging in the art and entertainment industry. The Late 20th Century AdvancementsIn this era the advancements in both the areas of tapes were there, the backing materials and also in the adhesives. As the materials advanced with innovations in the polymers industry with the introduction of the PVC or polyethylene, the backing material of the tapes also advanced for better resistance of the tapes to chemicals, light UV rays, or even extreme temperature. This makes the tapes for more versatile use in different environments and applications.Similarly, the advancement in the adhesives also happened with the inventions of PSAs (Pressure sensitive adhesives), which increased the applications of tapes, as such tapes are easy to apply and also easy to remove as well with leaving any residue behind. Here in this era made able the double sided tapes to come into existance. 21st Century AdvancementsThis is the era of tapes that can perform in almost any areas. As the materials are consistantly advanceing with innovations in the polymer industry and in nano technology, the improvement in tapes are happening accordingly. The backing materials along with the adhesion is improving in durability and resistance to many environmental contraints. Like high performing tapes are being made which are used in the automotive and aerospace industry, where extreme jerks and temperatures are there to withstand. Environment Friendly and Smart TapesNow a days where environment and sustainability is of main concern for evey industry or business, the tapes industry is also following the path and giving an important heed for the production of products that are made from eco friendly, biodegradable, and sustainable materials. This direction make the consumers who are environment consious appreciate and use their products even if they are more costly then the simple ones. And in the latest advancements which is still in the development and startup phase are the tapes with integrated smart technologies that can provide the consumer with the conditons of the packages during the transit. Like some modern advanced tapes can have embedded nano sensors that can provide with the conditions of the surrounding atmosphere like the temperature or humidity. Also some can even give the structural analysis of the surface on which they are applied. Such tapes can be categorized as modern equipments for special purposes, and can be of use in the medical or construction areas where realtime data is needed for making decisions.

As per today's fast logistics system and global economy, the transportation efficiency and good supply chain management is essential for the success of any business or organization. There are many things that contribute in the packaging and shipping of the products among which industrial tapes are the most essential component for the secure transportation of the products or goods.In this article we will be indulged in the versatile uses of industrial tapes in packaging industry, according to their different types, their applications and its benefits in the secure and efficient transit of the products.Introduction to Industrial TapesThese are some of the heavy duty tapes, design for the specific tasks at hand which needs to be fulfilled. Industrial tapes are used in the areas of manufacturing, in the packaging industry, and mainly in the shipping industry. So, for every specific class of work they are engineered to meet that particular need and performance criteria, which includes the durability, strength of adhesion and its resistant to certain harsh environmental conditions. There is a versatile range of industrial tapes in the market to meet the working criteria of every industry or businesses, so they can select the most appropriate one for the task at hand, and fulfill their unique packaging and protection need.Types of Industrial TapesTapes that are being used in the industries are classified to these following types:Packaging TapeThis type of tapes is usually made of polypropylene or polyester and is the most common type of tapes that is used in the packaging industry in the shipping of the products. The main function of this tapes is to completely seal the boxes or cartons so that they are securely sent to their destination preventing from being opened during the transit. These tapes are usually transparent so that they allow the labeling and the bar-codes of the boxes to be easily identified and seen with any need of removing the tapes. These benefits of such tapes makes them ideal for retail applications.  Duct TapeThese tapes are known for their versatile use. These have ha backing material made from cloths and have a strong adhesion on them. Their traditional use is in repairing materials, but its strong bonding and overall strength make them a good choice for the sealing and securing of the items in transit. These tapes can be used on a variety of surfaces making them an ideal choice for every need that involves irregular shapes. Strapping TapeStrapping tapes are used for the purpose of packing heavy item or cartons so that the jerks of long routes during the shipping of the items can be prevented and the items reaches the destination securely.These tapes are made of polypropylene or polyester, and mostly to enhance their strength they are used with combination of other strapping systems for the extra care of the bulky items. Masking TapeThe main use of these tapes are in the painting and crafting work. But these tapes also play a role in the shipping or transportation of goods for the labelling of the items or for the temporary adhesion of item on them. So, they just can be easily tore open when even needed and applied again when needed without damaging the orignal packaging of the pallet or parcel. Its adhesive properties make them able to be used for many surfaces either they are plastic, paper, any metal. So they are of versatile use. Double-sided TapeIn this tape there is an adhesive layer on the both sides of the backing material. This type of tapes is usually used in the retail packing and also in the displays of suff on walls or other structures. The main character of this tapes is to adhere two surfaces together with its own visiblilty, so it is usually used where there is a need of clean presentation, in the high end products tagging and their packaging. Tamper-evident TapeThere are many products of now-a-days that need extra security during transit, for the protection of the materials inside of them to be tampered with. The electronics products like mobile phone and similar items are such products whose packaging needs to be protected from opening while in transit, so that their inside gadgets are secure from any changes. So, there this tamper-evident tapes comes handy. These tapes gave clean indication when they are opened and tried to apply again, so they make an extra safety on the products and also improves the trust of the customers that received tamper-evident packed items. Importance of Industrial Tape in Secure Transport1. Protection Against DamageThis is one of the main role of industrial tapes in the transportation of goods, to protect them of any damage during transit. During transit the packages need to be prevented from jerks, from heavy stacking, from outer atmosphere, so the proper sealing of the package is very important. When the tape is applied properly to the package, it keep the contents of the package in place, which ensures that it reaches its destination propely without any shuffling and breaking.2. Tamper Evidence and SecurityNow a days the security of the packages are very improtant, that the contents inside are not being tampered with. There are many packages in which there is important material which need not tho be opened during transit. And to ensure this tamper evident tapes are there and serves this purpose preventing unauthorized access of the material inside of packages. If anyone tries to open such packages then there will be clear signs of tapes opening. So, this gives the manufacturers and also the consumers an easy mind with their package and its transportation.3. Cost Efficiency and Weight ManagementThe right kind of tapes for the right package will help in the optimization of the transportation costs. Light weigh tapes that are also durable enough helps in minimizing the overall weight of the shipment with compromising the security of the package. In bulk shipping, where the overall weight is very important, the right tape selection will help in optimizing weight and reducing the cost of transport, and if the tapes is durable enough then we can reduce the layers of tapes and still makes the package intact, this reduces the tape use as well as the labour that will be required for the application of it.4. Branding and Aesthetic AppealIndustrial tapes are also being used for the branding of the products. The companies or industries are using their own branded tapes with their names and logos on it for the packing of their products that improves its aesthetic sence and also gives a marketing opportunity with such disposible items. A well packaged products improves its overall look and also builds trust amoung the customers.5. Ease of Use and EfficiencyIn warehousing and logistics we have to pack lots of packages and parcels in the minimum time possible and dispatch them, so the timing is very important in this work, and in this time the tapes are the items which are most used item, so the most accurate tapes should be applied, which are easy to apply, durable, and does their work in one layer only, so that labour is reduced.  There are many industrial tapes which have a dispenser system with them are they are easily tearable from the edges, so that they are easily applied in less time.6. Environmental ConcernsAs environmental cercerns are gaining very much attention in now a days due to ever increasing land and water pollutions from the plastic, so now the companies to fulfil their CSR goals are going for biodegradable materials, or otherwise recyclable materials for the manufacturing of industrial tapes, so that they can decrease their environmental foot print and protect the planet from increasing plastics, even if this increases some overall cost of their products. Using of Industrial Tapes in Most Gainful WayFor getting the most out of the industrial tapes there are some ways that you can follow. Like you have to choose the best and right kind of tape for the desired package from the versatile tapes available in the market. For this you have see what you are packing and how much strength and durability it needs when packed and during transit.The next thing is that you have to apply the tape adequately on to the package making sure that all the areas are properly covered and the required layes are applied. Also, we have to see in which environmental conditions the transportation is taking place, are the packages going in an open container to in a closed one, then tapes are selected for the appropriate condition to increase its durability. And then labelling tapes are usually required to mark the contents within the carton, or for any other instruction about the package. So, clearly labelling of the package is another way of utilizing the tapes for better transit. And the most important thing in this whole process is the labour who is doing all these packing, he should be trained properly to use the right kind of industrial in the right way for the enhancement of overall transportation.

Industrial tapes have an application in various industrial areas, packaging and in shipping companies, for the protection of the equipment or materials being used or transported, for masking of the surfaces from external conditions, or for simply sealing the package or equipment. So, a lot of tapes are being used in a lot of areas within an industry to company, and this lot will also create residue if not applied or removed properly. There can be surface damage with the tapes, or adhesive layer residue on the product surface if the adhesive layer is more attached to the product surface than the backing material.So, here we will discuss the ways in which we can improve the industrial tapes usage for increasing the efficiency of the tapes, decreasing the time required for the unpacking, and also preventing the excessive residue of removed tapes.1. Use the Right Tape for the Right TaskThe first step is to find the best suited tape for the task at hand to increase the optimal performance. As there are a variety of industrial tapes available in the market, so choosing the right one for your task at hand is also a skill that need to be learned by the user. These different tapes have different backing materials, different adhesive strengths, and thicknesses so that they can fulfill all the needs of the hour. There are some characteristics that need to be considered when choosing the tapes like:u Surface where the tape needs to be applied, as different surfaces like metal, plastics or glass need different specific adhesives that attaches with them properly for longer periods.u Temperature resistance when needed, requires tapes made of polyimide, or like aluminum foil tapes which can be applied and remain intact at high temperature areas like in the automotive industries are in the aerospace applications.u Environmental conditions also need to be considered when choosing tapes, like in the environment where exposure to moisture, chemicals, or UV light is there, tapes with weather resistance and chemical resistance will be required.u Adhesive strength of the tapes also need to be considered for the right kind of work need from them, like heavy duty tapes will be required for the sealing and packing of large equipment or items, whereas lighter duty adhesives can fulfill the need when temporary sealing or marking is needed.2. Surface PreparationThe surface on which the tape is to be applied should be plain, even, and without any dirt or particles. Because the uneven surface or any other particles, or even moisture in-between the tape and the surface will cause the bond to be loose and the tape to be worn off easily. So, there is a need to clean the surface with alcohol based liquid if it is a metal, or detergent if it is plastic, then you should apply the tapes for better contact. The second thing that should be done is to completely dry the surface, there should be no moisture or any other liquid on the surface when you are going to apply tape, this will effect the adhesive to loose its contact with the surface loosening the bond. And lastly the surface should be even without any bumps, these bumps need to be removed or filled before applying tapes for better strength.3. Application TechniquesWhen the tapes are applied with the correct technique, it will adhere to the surface longer. For the correct application of tapes these things should be done properly:Apply pressure uniformly on the tape as you lay down it onto the surface. We can utilize rollers for applying even pressure on the tapes as we put them on the surface. Secondly you should apply even tension on to the tapes as you place it on the surface. As, extra tension will elongate the tape more and also when it contracts over time then the bond will also gets loosened with it. The last thing is to consider the temperature in which you are applying the tape. As in colder conditions the tapes are contracted and with time, and with increase in temperature the tapes gets loosened and tore off easily from the surface. So, the application of tapes should be done in normal room temperatures. 4. Proper Curing Time for Adhesives Proper curing time is needed by the heavy duty adhesives when applied to the heavy loads, that also have significant movement. As, heavy duty adhesives need some time to cure and give maximum strength for their better performance. Some needs minutes for curing and some even needs hours for complete curing.5. Removal TechniquesIndustrial tapes are heavy duty, and can leave adhesives or can also damage the surface upon removal. So, some removal techniques that can be used for securely removing the tapes are as follows:u Peel the tapes at angles around 45 degree, this will minimize the adhesives leaving behind on the surface, and also prevents surface damage from happening.u Strong adhesives can be peeled off easily when slight heat is applied on to the surface of the tape. This heat from a heat gun will loosen the tape, and then we can easily peel it off. The tapes in inside of sensitive electronic devices are usually peeled off in this way.u If there is still some adhesive residue left behind on the surface, then we use adhesive removers like alcohols or any specialized liquids for those residues, and wipe off them with clothes afterwards for complete removal.How to Prevent Residue FormationResidue formation can be prevented by using low adhesive tapes when the requirement of bonding is not much needed, and the work is not heavy duty. These tapes are for temporary applications like painters tapes, masking tapes, or surgical tapes etc. Another way is to remove the tapes as soon as the work is completed. The task at hand is finished, remove the tape immediately to prevent them from deteriorating from climatic or environmental changes. These changes make the adhesive materials and the backing materials to split and then that adhesives are left behind on the surface as residue. So, there is a manufacturers recommended time span for which the tapes can perform well and then peels off well without any aid. Otherwise you have to force the tapes to peel off by stretching and pulling it causing the them to break off and also leaves off residue.If there still some residue remains on the surface then you can utilize the residue removal chemicals, or agents and wipe off the remnants with them, and if the adhesive residue is tougher to clean then we can utilize mechanical methods to scrap off the material from the surface, and then at then end clean the surface with chemical for post cleaning.