Specialty Tapes and Films

Specialty tapes and films use proprietary or patented technologies and constructions, and are designed for specific industries and specialized applications. Product specifications include dimensional parameters such as width, length and thickness, as well as various thermal and electrical properties. Thermal properties for specialty tapes and films include temperature resistance, thermal conductivity and coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). Electrical properties for specialty tapes and films include electrical resistivity, dielectric strength, dielectric constant or relative permittivity, dissipation factor, and test frequency range. Test frequency is an especially important consideration in selecting materials for radio frequency (RF) and microwave applications. Dielectric constant, dissipation factor, or loss factors may change with the operating frequency.  

There are many different categories of specialty tapes and films. Specialty films include both transfer adhesives and raw, uncoated, non-adhesive films. Specialty tapes are used for adhesive bonding, thread sealing, masking, shrink wrapping, electrical insulation, and to control electrostatic discharge (ESD). Specialty adhesive tapes and films are also available. Specialty hot stamping foils are used to emboss a metallic or colored finish onto a surface, usually through thermal bonding or hot stamping. Specialty label stock and specialty printed tape consists of pre-printed film, paper or other backing with a display of printing, lithographing, embossing, stickers, seals, or other written, printed or graphic matter. Specialty release liners are paper or plastic materials with specialized non-stick coatings. Specialty overlays, specialty veneers, and other specialty surfacing materials are bonded to a surface to impart a decorative finish or graphic pattern. 

Specialty tapes and films differ in terms of materials of construction, adhesive or coating type, and substrate compatibility. Choices for materials of construction include acrylic, ceramic, cloth, epoxy, felt, fiberglass, filament, fluoropolymer, foam, graphite or carbon fiber, hook and loop, hook fastener, loop fastener, melamine, metal foil or sheet, overlay, paper, polyester, plastic, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polyimide, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), rubber and silicone. Adhesive or coating types for specialty tapes and films include acrylic, cellulose, epoxy, polyurethane, pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA), rubber, silicone, thermoplastic, and thermoset. Some specialty tapes and films are designed to bond to ceramic, glass, concrete, masonry, foam, or porous surfaces. Others are designed to bond to composite materials or dissimilar substrates.

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