What are the tape substrates?

So what is the substrate? The base material of the tape not only plays a role in fixing the adhesive, but also contributes to the functionality of the tape. The perfect combination of adhesive and substrate (plus primer and release layer) determines whether the tape can achieve its purpose.

The task of the substrate is first of all to fix the adhesive and primer. It is relatively thin, has excellent elasticity and is very smooth. Therefore, it is suitable for almost all purposes in all venues and designs. The substrate itself can vary widely, and as such, it can play an important role depending on where, when and for what purpose the tape will be applied.

Today’s substrates can withstand a certain amount of force and separate precisely under a specific force; can be transparent or reflective; can be very permeable or act as a barrier (such as moisture or oxygen); can be very thin (1.5 microns = 0.059 mils) or very thick (>3 mm or 118 mils). Modern substrates can act as gap fillers or noise dampeners; they also allow the tape to be machined or die-cut. Due to the wide variety of substrates available, the properties and benefits of each substrate are well worth investigating.