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The Structure of Tapes—Small Technical Marvels

Layer by layer, toward the perfect ribbon.

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Choosing the right tape depends heavily on the planned task and the conditions at the application site. For example, if you want to mask off wallpaper while painting in your home, painter’s tape is a good choice because it tears off the roll easily and peels away from the surface just as easily. A strong cloth tape with high adhesive strength would be inappropriate here and would damage the wallpaper.

The layered structure of a tape and the various materials used in its layers play a major role in the tape’s mechanical, electrical, and chemical properties. But what exactly are these layers and materials, and how exactly do they contribute to the quality and specific performance of a tape? We will address this question below.

What is the structure of tape?

Tapes are constructed according to the sandwich principle and usually consist of several layers designed to work together.

The typical structure of a tape includes the backing and the adhesive, as well as—depending on the type—a primer, a release coat, or a liner in the case of double-sided tapes. The materials used for the individual layers play a decisive role in determining the properties and subsequent applications of the tape.

Single-sided or double-sided: What's the difference?

With single-sided tapes (see the diagram above), the adhesive is applied to only one side of the backing. This is typical, for example, of painter’s tape and masking tape, which you are familiar with from wallpapering and painting.

Double-sided tapes, on the other hand, are coated with adhesive on both sides and can therefore connect two materials together without the tape being visible between them. A typical application is, for example, installing carpet. You can also use double-sided tape to easily fasten mirrors in the bathroom, bedroom, or hallway.

Tape Construction: An In-Depth Explanation of the Layers

Let’s take a closer look at the inner workings of a roll of tape.

Release layer and release material – for easy unrolling of the tape

In the case of single-sided tapes, there is a release layer on the top side of the backing in the form of a release coating or back coating (technical term: release coat). You can think of this as a non-stick coating that prevents the adhesive from sticking to the back of the underlying layer. In other words, the release layer ensures that the tape can be unwound from the roll easily and in a controlled manner.

In the case of double-sided tapes, a separate release material—also known as a liner —provides the necessary separation. This is usually made of siliconized paper (release paper) or a silicone-coated film. Due to its low surface energy, the silicone has a strong repellent effect and prevents the adhesive from permanently adhering to the liner.

Substrate and Primer: The Foundation for the Adhesive

Behind the release liner is the backing. This is the layer of the tape onto which the adhesive is applied. Choosing the right material is crucial, because the backing affects, among other things, the tape’s tear resistance, stretchability, flexibility, and durability. As a result, the backing also determines the applications for which the tape is suitable.

The adhesive cannot always be applied directly to the tape backing. This is the case, for example, when the backing layer consists of untreated PE film (the abbreviation PE stands for the plastic polyethylene). Many adhesives simply do not adhere to this surface. Depending on the adhesive system, a so-called primer must therefore be applied to the backing as an adhesion promoter. The primer ensures that the adhesive and the backing form a stable, secure bond. This is the only way the tape can function properly.

By the way: Not every type of tape requires a backing. An exception to this are so-called transfer tapes, in which a backing-free adhesive is applied to a release liner.

What are the properties of the various backings?

Backing Group	Backing	Properties	Applications
Paper	Flat crepe	Low-stretch Flexible Good resistance to water, moisture, and UV rays, depending on the impregnation	For a wide variety of covering and masking tasks
	High-crepe	Highly stretchable	To mask tight curves, rounded edges, etc.
	Washi Specialty Paper	Very thin and supple Low stretch Good tensile strength Good resistance to water, moisture, and UV rays, depending on the impregnation	For achieving extremely sharp color edges on smooth and slightly rough surfaces
cloth	Rayon, cotton, polyamide, or glass fibres; coated or uncoated	Depending on the fabric material, thickness, and mesh, it offers excellent tensile strength and can be torn by hand With a PE coating, it offers good resistance to water, oil, mechanical damage, and many chemical influences Very good UV resistance when a UV filter is used Available as gaffer’s tape with a non-reflective PE coating	For short- or long-term masking in a wide variety of projects, such as plastering and stucco work For waterproof sealing of containers For masking during sandblasting For a wide range of repair and construction tasks in industry and trade To seal plastic sheeting during asbestos removal For bundling, fixing, etc.
Films	PVC	Hard in its original state Resistant to water, mild acids, alkalis, alcohol, oils, gasoline, and saltwater Benzene, certain solvents, or stronger acids (such as concentrated hydrochloric acid) can corrode PVC Good temperature stability Due to its high chlorine content, PVC is flame-retardant	For long-term masking in a wide variety of projects, such as plastering and stucco work Use on weathered PVC surfaces should only be done after conducting a test application PVC film is also used in the manufacture of packaging tapes, warning tapes, etc.
	PE	Milky white when undyed and naturally elastic Resistant to water, solvents, acids, and alkalis Resistant to high and low temperatures	For long-term masking in a wide variety of applications, such as plastering and stucco work Well-suited for use on plastic surfaces such as PVC and , since PE is plasticizer-free and solvent-resistant Also well-suited for use at lower temperatures
	PP	Has good tensile strength and a harder surface than, for example, PE Resistant to weak acids and alkalis, fats, and many organic solvents May be attacked by some solvents at higher temperatures Prolonged exposure to sunlight and low temperatures can cause PP to become brittle PP can be reinforced with glass fibres, which significantly improve its mechanical properties, such as tensile strength, etc. This PP tape is known as filament tape	PP films are primarily used to manufacture packaging tapes

The Adhesive – Holding Power for the Tape

How well a tape sticks depends largely on the interplay between adhesion and cohesion. Let’s take a closer look at these two terms.

What is adhesion?

Adhesion describes the attraction between molecules of different types; in simple terms: How well does the adhesive stick to the desired surface? With very high adhesion, the adhesive adheres firmly to the surface and is very difficult to remove. Very low adhesion, on the other hand, means that the tape does not grip the surface and peels off very easily.

And what is meant by “cohesion”?

This term describes the attractive force between molecules of the same type. It refers to how well an adhesive holds itself together. When cohesion is high, the adhesive has high internal strength and remains firmly connected even under stress. When cohesion is low, this internal bond is weaker, and the adhesive can deform or separate more easily.

Both forces act together

The proper balance between adhesion and cohesion always depends on the specific application and the nature of the substrate.
For permanent installations—such as when installing baseboards—high adhesion can be advantageous. For short term masking applications—such as when painting walls—excessive adhesion is undesirable, as the tape could damage the surface when removed. If cohesion is too low, the adhesive may split when removed, leaving residue on the surface.

The interactions between adhesives, substrates, and environmental conditions (e.g., temperatures, UV radiation) are very complex, as there are a large number of possible combinations. To achieve optimal results, it is therefore highly recommended to perform a preliminary bond test before beginning any work.

Types of Adhesives and Their Properties

Adhesive	Composition	Properties	Examples of Use
Natural rubber	Consists of ground natural rubber dissolved in solvents	High initial adhesion Lower increase in adhesive strength with increasing bonding time High shear strength/cohesion Lower temperature and aging resistance Low UV resistance	For short- and medium-term use
Synthetic rubber	Synthetically produced through the polymerization of various monomers	The properties depend heavily on the monomers and additives used. In general: High initial bond strength Smaller increase in adhesion with increasing bonding time Lower resistance to temperature and aging	For short term use
Acrylics	Consist of polymerized acrylic ester monomers, which are blended with synthetic resins and dissolved in water or solvents	Adhesive strength increases with longer bonding time High resistance to temperature and aging High resistance to UV radiation and oxidation	For short- to medium-term applications , including outdoor use
Hot melt	Consists of synthetic resins that are melted at temperatures ranging from 130 °C to 180 °C. The resulting mass retains a high degree of tackiness and adhesive strength even after cooling	Excellent adhesion at normal temperatures Limited temperature resistance Low UV and aging resistance Lack of resistance to plasticizers unless suitable additives are added	For short term use only. Residue-free removal can no longer be guaranteed even after a short period of time (within a few hours)

How does the construction affect the properties of a tape?

The properties of a tape depend largely on the interaction of its individual layers. For example, the backing influences how flexible, stretchable, or tear-resistant the tape is. The adhesive used, in turn, determines how strongly and durably the tape adheres to a surface and how it reacts to external factors such as temperature, UV radiation, or moisture.

It is only the right combination of individual components that makes a tape suitable for a specific application. For example, painter’s tape must adhere well to the wallpaper and be removable with as little residue as possible once the job is done. In contrast, for mounting tape, a permanently strong bond and a long service life are the top priorities. The adhesive tape’s construction is therefore always tailored to the requirements of the respective application.

Technical Specifications of Kip® Tapes

Whether a tape is suitable for a specific application can be determined based on various technical properties. These include, among others, adhesive strength, Temperature resistance, and the potential duration of use indoors and outdoors. Below, we explain what these specifications mean.

Indoor Service Life: Indicates how long a tape can remain bonded indoors before painting without leaving residue when removed.

Outdoor service life: Indicates how long a tape can remain bonded in an outdoor environment before painting without leaving any residue upon removal.

Adhesive Strength (Steel) in Newtons per 10 millimeters:This value indicates the force required to peel a 10-millimeter-wide tape off a polished steel plate. The measurement is taken at a defined speed at an angle of 180 degrees.

Temperature resistance: Indicates the temperatures that an already applied adhesive tape can withstand for a short period of time without being damaged or leaving adhesive residue. The temperature resistance specified on a tape refers to a period of up to 60 minutes.

These technical parameters thus make it possible to measure how the construction of a tape affects its properties and applications.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What types of tapes are available?

Tapes can be classified based on their construction, the backing used, and their intended application. These include, for example, single- and double-sided tapes, as well as painter’s tape, cloth tape, packaging tape, and mounting tapes. Which type is suitable for which application depends primarily on the substrate, the desired adhesion, and the conditions at the site of use.

How long do tapes last?

How long a tape will hold reliably depends on its construction, the materials used, and the conditions under which it is used. Factors such as temperature, UV radiation, humidity, and the substrate all play a role.

What is mounting tape?

Mounting tape is a strong, usually double-sided tape used to fasten objects to walls, floors, or other surfaces. Depending on the type, it is suitable, for example, for attaching signs, hooks, mirrors, mailboxes, or other objects. Which mounting tape is suitable for which purpose depends, among other things, on the surface, weight, and conditions of use.

What should you do if the tape doesn't stick?

If a tape isn’t sticking properly, you should first check the surface and the conditions under which it will be used. Dust, grease, or moisture can impair adhesion and should therefore be removed. Of course, the tape itself must also be suitable for the specific surface and intended use. If in doubt, it is recommended to perform a test application on an inconspicuous area before using the tape in its intended application.

What does "tack" mean in the context of tapes?

Tack refers to the initial adhesion of an adhesive. This value describes how quickly a tape adheres to a surface upon light contact, before it is pressed firmly against it. Tack should not be confused with the actual adhesive strength.