It's all about the surface

Adhesive tapes are used to protect a wide variety of different surfaces and to mark off work areas, indoors and out.

Before applying adhesive tape, users should assess the surface. The following tests are typical parts of this process:

• Visual appearance,
• Wipe test,
• Scratch test,
• Adhesive tape removal test / test adhesion.

Adhesive tape removal test / test adhesion

Whether a surface will tolerate adhesive tape can be tested by means of an adhesive tape removal test. To do this, the user applies an adhesive tape with stronger adhesion than the intended tape to the surface that is to be protected, pressing a length of approximately 10 cm (4 inches) of adhesive tape firmly into place and then pulling it off with a jerky motion.

If the surface cannot be evaluated with certainty, such as if it is weathered, test adhesion should be carried out over a 24-hour period before the final adhesion in order to obtain a secure assessment of how the surface will react to the adhesive (which will increase in force over this period).

If removing the tape causes damage, a lower-adhesion tape should be used.

Types of materials