Tikso

Adhesive tape is a self-adhesive strip whose structure consists of several main layers. The first main layer is the backing material (Backing material or carrier). It can be made of different types of polymers such as BOPP (biaxially oriented polypropylene), OPP (unidirectionally oriented polypropylene), paper or even fabric for some special tapes. The durability of the tape under load depends on the backing layer. In other words, the thicker the backing layer is, the heavier the loads that can be packed with the respective tape.

The tape used for industrial and general applications is most often based on BOPP. It is not recommended to use low‑quality tape for critical applications due to its low resistance in both transverse and longitudinal directions, which causes the tape to tear easily, often even during application, or to peel off shortly after use (this is most commonly observed with tape produced in China and other low‑quality brands).

The other main layer in the structure of the tape is the adhesive layer. The adhesives used in the production of adhesive tape are many and of different types and bases. Generally, they can be grouped into three categories:

• Adhesive based on synthetic rubber
• Adhesive based on natural rubber
• Water‑based adhesive

High‑quality self‑adhesive tapes use adhesives based on synthetic or natural rubber, while water‑based adhesives are low‑quality and produced mainly in Asia. In recent years, natural‑rubber tapes have slowly but steadily been replaced by synthetic‑rubber tapes due to multiple factors.

Water‑based tape is used mainly for non‑demanding applications. Its main disadvantages are weak adhesion, uneven sticking, strong toxicity when inhaled during prolonged work, and more. Another significant drawback is that water‑based tape cannot be used on automatic machines due to its low quality, which often leads to machine jams.

The weight of the packaged products that the tape can withstand depends on the thickness of the backing layer (carrier). Recently in Bulgaria, there is a trend toward thinning the backing layer to achieve a lower price, which leads to the market being flooded with low‑quality tape intended only for very light loads.

We advise you to consult a specialist before purchasing adhesive tape to avoid problems later. Do not hesitate to contact us at info@tikso.bg or directly by phone using the numbers on the contact page!