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Tape
Tape is basically a backing material with
glue. Picking the right tape for a job requires
selecting the appropriate backing and glue.
As a general rule, tape does not stick to
material similar to the non-sticky side of
its backing (otherwise you could not unroll
it).
There are five major groups of tapes, organized
by their backing material:
- paper tapes - light duty, decorative, an
easily broken or torn. Most common paper
tape is masking tape, whose best feature
is its ease of removal.
- plastic tape - ranges from light duty, clear
or colored cellophane tape (like ordinary
Scotch Tape) for paper or cardboard, to the
stronger electrical tape. Plastic tapes tear
easily and, depending on the type of plastic,
may stretch easily or break when stretched.
- fabric tape - such as duct tape, is a medium
to heavy duty tape for a wide variety of
temporary household repair. Fabric tapes
are strong but tear easily once started.
- strapping tape - has strong threads embedded
in the backing to make it difficult to stretch
or tear, which makes it good for reinforcing
and sealing packages.
- metallic tapes - the aluminum and steel backing
of metallic tapes is extremely
strong; that
strength is complemented by
the strength
of the adhesive. Best known
type is furnace
tape, which is temperature
resistant, very
durable, and long lasting.
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