History
Adhesive tapes, commonly known as sticky tapes, have been in use as a
quick and convenient repair since the 1920s. Repairing torn papers was
never so easy. They are now seen as one of the major sources of
unsightly damage to important documents and require specialized
conservation treatment to remove.
Introduction
Adhesive tapes are the tapes coated with adhesive. The tapes are made
of two components: a carrier, which is usually paper, plastic, cloth or
rubber, and an adhesive, which is either water or solvent, based. Many
modern tapes use pressure sensitive adhesives. When pressure is applied
to the tape with finger, a strong adhesive is formed.
Adhesives
The adhesives commonly used in the tapes are:
- Acrylic adhesive - are known for their excellent environmental
resistance and fast-setting times.
- Cyanoacrylates - they cure instantly on contact with mated
surfaces through a reaction with surface moisture.
- Epoxy adhesives - are chemical compounds for joining components.
- Phenolic, melamine and urea formaldehyde- thermosetting
adhesives that offer strong bonds and good resistance to high
temperatures.
- Polyurethane adhesive - provides excellent flexibility, impact
resistance and durability.
- Rubber adhesive - provides highly flexible bonds.
- Silicon adhesive - has high degree of flexibility and very high
temperature resistance.
- Hot melt adhesive - allows parts to be removed or repositioned
during assembly.
- UV curing - allows a permanent bond without heating.
Applications
Adhesive tapes are used in various industry sectors. The use of
adhesive tapes is a simple and cost-effective method for sampling
gunshot and other trace materials prior to analysis in a scanning
electron microscope. The adhesive material is place onto a standard stub
used in scanning electroscope microscopy. They are also used in medical,
pharmaceutical, and in many manufacturing industries.
Disadvantages
Most tapes are made of poor quality materials, which will deteriorate
quickly. Paper carriers may become yellow and brittle causing the repair
to break open again. Plastic carriers may shrink, yellow and become
brittle. Rubber based carriers will oxidize, harden, crack and shrink.
Adhesives may yellow and stain documents. Adhesives may become more
fluids at higher temperatures and leach into paper surface causing a
familiar translucence.
These tapes are unsightly and can cover important information. So one
avoids the temptation of using poor quality adhesive tapes on important
information.
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