All About Foam Tapes and Its Recommended Applications

Mechanical fasteners such as rivets, bolts, and screws are normally used to join two or more objects together. What is great about these fasteners is that they can be removed or dismantled easily without damaging the combined objects. But as more products are introduced to the market, the more options users have when it comes to combining objects and components.

One product that is now preferred by different industries is the foam tape. Foam tapes are now starting to substitute mechanical fasteners that have been previously mentioned since they are capable of withstanding high level of vibration, extreme temperatures, and exterior elements.

Main Properties of Foam Tapes

A wide variety of industries now utilise foam tapes as they possess outstanding properties. Foam tapes can be either single-sided or double-sided, making them applicable to different industries, versatile, and flexible. But generally, foam tapes are considered to be truly useful in filling gaps and spaces as well as joining irregular parts and components.

Foam tapes can typically withstand temperatures of -40°C to 148°C, making them compatible with extreme applications. They can also withstand the effects of moisture, dust, ultraviolet (UV) rays, solvents, sounds, vibration, and other intrusive elements. All these properties are possible since their materials are normally durable and can compensate for varying thermal expansions.

Some of the most common materials used for foam tapes are ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polyethylene. EPDM is a type of synthetic rubber that can resist low and high temperatures. PVC, alternatively, is known for its great resistance to ageing, UV rays, and weathering. Ultimately, foam tapes made of polyethylene also possess great resistance to ageing.

Recommended Applications

As stated, foam tapes can be single-sided or double-sided. Single-sided foam tapes can be used for gaskets and protective packaging. They can effectively work on materials that have irregular surfaces. Double-sided foam tapes, alternatively, are recommended for mounting applications. They could also allow surfaces to expand at different rates without ruining their bonding capabilities.

No matter what their types are, foam tapes can certainly be useful in industries that deal with appliances, automotive, electronics, and building materials. These tapes are normally applied for gasketing, bonding, sealing, weatherstripping, sound isolation, thermal insulation, and vibration damping purposes.

Gasketing applications utilise these tapes since they can close an area between to parts and prevent the escape of elements. Electrical enclosures, shed doors, and garage doors use foam tapes for closing certain areas. Weatherstripping applications, on the other hand, maximise foam tapes as they can keep cold and hot air outside. Doors benefit the most when it comes to weatherstripping ability of foam tapes.

Get Foam Tapes at Foam Sealant

Foam tapes can be installed quickly and will not require additional labour time and tools. They can even provide better thermal and acoustical insulation compared to mechanical fasteners. So, if you want to maximise the benefits and properties of foam tapes, just give us a call at Foam Sealant. With a combined experience of over 120 years in the industry, you can rely on our staff to find a solution to your problem.