Smartphone held horizontally outdoors with water pouring over the screen, demonstrating waterproof tape applications for protecting electronic devices against moisture and water ingress.

Waterproof tape – Reliable protection in wet and humid environments

Q: What makes a tape waterproof?

Waterproof tapes combine a specially formulated adhesive with a backing material that repels or blocks water . This ensures that moisture cannot penetrate the tape, providing a reliable seal even under high humidity or exposure to liquids. A tape is considered waterproof when its closed-cell backing and high-performance adhesive prevent water from passing through the material or the bond line . In electronics, this is achieved through foam structures that seal when compressed, strong adhesion on metals and plastics, and resistance to humidity, sweat, and cleaning agents — enabling reliable moisture protection up to IPX8 conditions.

Q: Can waterproof tapes be used underwater?

Yes — certain waterproof tapes can be used underwater, especially those engineered for IPX8 conditions. These tapes maintain strong adhesion and sealing performance even during continuous submersion, making them suitable for moisture-critical electronics, sensor areas, and tightly sealed assemblies. For permanent underwater applications , such as in industrial water tanks or marine components , it is recommended to consult our technical experts to select the optimal tape type and application method. Our team can recommend solutions that balance adhesion, backing material, and environmental resistance for each specific use case.

Q: How long do waterproof tapes last?

Waterproof tapes can last for many years, depending on the material, adhesive, and operating conditions. High-performance foam and acrylic tapes used in electronics are designed for long-term sealing, maintaining adhesion and waterproof integrity even under humidity, temperature changes, and everyday mechanical stress.

Our waterproof tapes provide reliable protection (opens in a new window or tab) wherever moisture, humidity, or environmental stress can impact electronic or automotive components. Built for application-driven performance, they support sealing, mounting (opens in a new window or tab), masking (opens in a new window or tab), covering, repairing, and protecting sensitive assemblies.

Using durable PE-coated cloth carriers, PVC materials, and advanced closed-cell foam tapes, they deliver strong adhesion on metal, plastic, glass, painted surfaces, and even low-surface-energy materials. Cloth tapes (opens in a new window or tab) offer mechanical robustness and abrasion resistance for demanding industrial, trade, and converting environments, while acrylic foam tapes (opens in a new window or tab) compress to create high-integrity waterproof seals ideal for compact electronic designs.

Engineered for long-term reliability, waterproof tapes withstand UV exposure, temperature shifts, chemicals, and mechanical stress, ensuring stable sealing and bonding (opens in a new window or tab)throughout the product lifecycle. This makes them essential for devices such as smartphones, wearables, sensor housings, control units, cameras, and automotive battery systems exposed to rain, splash water, or humidity.

By choosing the right waterproof tape — from ultra-thin foams for precision electronics to rugged cloth tapes for automotive and industrial environments — you achieve durable moisture protection and dependable bonding in both temporary and permanent applications. For personalized recommendations and application advice, get in touch with our experts here.

Features

Water resistance and reliable waterproofing

Excellent sealing properties

Strong adhesion

Temperature and UV resistance

Shock resistance

Chemical resistance

Icon representing comfortability, illustrating waterproof tape applications that contribute to sealing, protection, and improved usability in various environments.

Conformability

What does waterproof mean?

Automotive attachment part mounting using waterproof tape, demonstrating secure bonding and sealing performance for durable and moisture-resistant vehicle assembly applications.

The term waterproof is often used loosely, but in industrial environments it has a specific and measurable meaning. Waterproof tapes must create a barrier that prevents water penetration under defined environmental conditions — whether through splashes, high-pressure cleaning, immersion, or prolonged outdoor exposure.

Understanding the difference between water-resistant and waterproof is essential for selecting the correct tape for an application:

Water-resistant tapes
Withstand occasional splashes, condensation, or light moisture. Suitable for short-term or indoor environments.
Waterproof tapes
Form a reliable barrier against continuous water exposure, heavy rain, outdoor humidity cycles, and in some cases even temporary immersion. Waterproof tapes are designed to prevent absorption, swelling, delamination, and adhesive failure.

How IP/IPX ratings help define “waterproof”:

The IEC 60529 standard defines water-ingress protection levels through the IP (Ingress Protection) rating system, which specifies resistance to both solids and liquids. Although waterproof tapes are not formally assigned IP ratings, the IPX scale helps engineers determine the level of protection required for components that are sealed or reinforced with tapes. The IP classification is commonly applied to enclosures, connectors, sensors, control units, and housings — many of which achieve their final water-protection level through sealing tapes, protective films, or acrylic foam systems.

An IP rating consists of two characters:

The first digit indicates protection against solid objects such as dust or debris.
The second digit (or “X” if untested) specifies the level of water protection.

For applications involving waterproof tapes, this framework helps define the intended sealing performance — whether the system must withstand splashes, water spray from any direction, high-pressure jets, temporary immersion, or continuous submersion. To explore our range of waterproof IPX8 tapes, click here.

IP rating	Water protection level	Description
IPX-0	None	No water protection.
IPX-1	Dripping water	Protected against vertically falling drops.
IPX-2	Dripping at an angle	Protected when tilted up to 15°.
IPX-3	Spraying water	Resists water sprayed at angles, such as light rain.
IPX-4	Splashes	Protection from splashing water from any direction.
IPX-5	Water jets	Withstands low-pressure water jets (e.g., shower stream).
IPX-6	Powerful water jets	Resists strong, high-pressure jets.
IPX-7	Temporary immersion	Safe for immersion up to approx. 1 meter for 30 minutes.
IPX-8	Continuous immersion	Suitable for long-term submersion; depth defined by manufacturer.

Applications

Waterproof tapes for diverse applications

Waterproof tapes are essential for ensuring the reliability, durability, and functionality of modern engineered systems. As components become thinner, more integrated, and increasingly exposed to moisture, splash water, and harsh environmental conditions, advanced waterproof tapes provide the robust sealing and bonding performance needed to safeguard critical assemblies. Their relevance extends across automotive electronics, industrial equipment, transportation systems, energy-storage modules, machinery, and outdoor or ruggedized devices that require long-term resistance against water, humidity, and environmental stress. From sensors and battery modules to control units, power electronics, and industrial controllers, waterproof tapes support a broad range of high-demand applications. Our solutions range from hole covering with tesa® 4657 (opens in a new window or tab) to precise sealing with waterproof masking tapes, and extend to tesa^® 756XX (opens in a new window or tab) line of acrylic foam bonding tapes — a proven waterproofing solution for demanding screen mounting and assembly tasks.

01Sealing

Waterproof tapes are widely used for sealing, creating airtight and watertight barriers that protect sensitive areas in applications such as:

Lens and camera modules
Display and back cover interfaces
Speaker and microphone openings
Housing gaps and mechanical joints
Buttons, connectors, and peripheral cutouts
Battery edges and interfaces in mobile, automotive, and industrial systems

The tesa® 626XX (opens in a new window or tab) series offers high bonding strength, conformable foam for shock resistance, and reliable protection against humidity and dust, making it ideal for electronics sealing, including component and display mounting. For higher-density or uneven surfaces, tesa® 64701 provides a flexible, waterproof barrier with UV stability and strong resistance to water penetration.

These tapes ensure durable protection under humidity, sweat, cleaning agents, and full submersion (IPX8), while also supporting shock absorption and stable positioning in battery applications.

02Mounting and structural bonding

Waterproof tapes enable reliable mounting of components. Their strong bonding performance — even on low-surface-energy plastics like PP and PE — ensures secure attachment under thermal, mechanical, and environmental stress. Typical uses include:

Bonding lenses and back covers
Mounting sensors, antennas, or PCBs
Securing decorative and functional elements
Structural bonding in compact housings

Products like tesa® 75410 combines high bonding strength, shock resistance, and waterproofing for demanding assemblies, ultra-slim die-cut components, and waterproof designs. tesa® 75630 (opens in a new window or tab) is optimized for displays, touch panels, and flexible OLEDs, providing excellent impact resistance and secure attachment even for curved or slim bezel designs. For uneven or rough surfaces, tesa® 62086 ensures gap closing, push-out resistance, and reliable bonding for back covers, screens, and other enclosure components such as batteries or camera lenses.

03Protection

Waterproof tapes serve as protective barriers for components exposed to challenging environments. Their chemical resistance, mechanical strength, and reliable sealing capabilities make them suitable for protecting:

Internal modules from water, dust, and corrosion
Sensors and connectors from environmental stress
Edges and surfaces that require temporary or permanent shielding

Our UV surface protection tape tesa® 4438 (opens in a new window or tab) features a waterproof paper backing with an acrylate adhesive, offering strong outdoor resistance (up to 12 weeks), reliable adhesion on sensitive and rough surfaces, and suitability even for water-soluble acrylic paints. It is commonly used for temporary surface protection in industrial processes and component handling.

Its moisture-blocking performance and stable backing help maintain structural integrity in automotive electronics, industrial systems, energy modules, and other demanding technical applications.

04Masking

In industrial manufacturing, waterproof tapes provide reliable masking during processes that involve moisture, chemicals, or liquid coatings. Their waterproof properties prevent fluids from penetrating or damaging sensitive surfaces. They are commonly used for:

Coating and painting lines
Wet-process masking
Surface-treatment protection

tesa® 4439 (opens in a new window or tab) combines waterproofing with UV and weather resistance, providing stable masking even in outdoor or long-duration applications. High-performance tapes like tesa® 4363 offer water-repellent backing and improved UV resistance, making them ideal for outdoor plastering and long-term masking tasks. tesa® 4370 (opens in a new window or tab) provides strong adhesion, high UV and water resistance for up to 8 weeks, and residue-free removability, making it a reliable partner for construction and outdoor applications.

05Repairing, covering & reinforcement

Waterproof tapes also support a wide range of repair and reinforcement tasks, particularly when moisture exposure is a factor. They enable:

Waterproof covering of openings or defects
Temporary sealing during device diagnostics
Reinforcing areas subject to mechanical stress or shock

tesa® 4657 (opens in a new window or tab) combines high tensile strength, puncture resistance, and reliable adhesion even at elevated temperatures. Its conformable acrylic cloth backing resists paints, solvents, abrasion, and water, while the hand-tearable construction allows easy application for temporary or permanent masking and hole covering in automotive and industrial painting. It can also be removed cleanly after heat exposure. Additionally, tesa® 4688 (opens in a new window or tab) supports repair and general-purpose masking. This polyethylene-coated cloth tape is easy to handle, versatile in use, and available in multiple colors.

Products

High-performance waterproof tapes

Our high-performance waterproof tapes provide reliable protection for electronic assemblies in moisture-rich environments. Engineered with advanced double-sided foam constructions, they deliver IPX8-level waterproofing for long-term sealing, even under continuous water exposure.

Designed for components, batteries, lenses, and back covers, these tapes combine strong bonding, shock resistance, and chemical durability, while adhering securely to low-surface-energy (LSE) materials. With thicknesses from 50 μm to 200 μm, they enable precise sealing and mounting solutions.

These features make our waterproof tapes ideal for applications that require both structural bonding and water ingress protection in slim, lightweight devices.

tesa adhesive tape layers showing foam core and protective liners on white background (This text has been generated by AI)

01tesa® 76120 – 200 μm foam tape

IPX8 waterproofing
Application fields: demanding mounting applications for components in electronic devices (e.g. display or backcover)
High tack and quick bonding on LSE substrates
Outstanding shock resistance
Temperature-sensitive, residue-free removability
Good anti-repulsion
Integrated light-blocking properties

three-layer foam mattress cross-section with black textured foam, blue foam, and beige top layer, isolated on white background tesa (This text has been generated by AI)

02tesa® 76115 – 150 μm foam tape

IPX8 waterproof sealing
Application fields: demanding mounting applications for components in electronic devices (e.g. battery)
High tack on LSE surfaces
Residue-free removability
Light blocking and excellent shock resistance
Very fast removing performance at elevated temperatures

03tesa® 76105 – 50 μm foam tape

Ultra-thin waterproof foam tape
IPX8 sealing
Application fields: demanding mounting applications for components in electronic devices (e.g. battery)
High tack on LSE substrates
Excellent shock and anti-repulsion performance
Easy, clean removal

tesa adhesive tape with a white backing partially peeled off, displayed on a black textured surface against a white background (This text has been generated by AI)

04tesa® 75884 – 200 μm double-sided foam tape

IPX8 sealing for lenses, back covers, and components
Application fields: demanding touch panel, lens or screen mounting applications with high requirements for chemical and impact resistance, mounting of waterproof designs
Excellent chemical resistance
Very high shock performance
Good wettability and stable adhesion

05tesa® 75883 – 150 μm double-sided foam tape

Superior IPX8 waterproofing
Application fields: demanding touch panel, lens or screen mounting applications with high requirements for chemical and impact resistance, mounting of waterproof designs
Excellent chemical resistance
Very high shock performance
High bonding strength on LSE substrates
Excellent anti-repulsion properties
Good wettability for fast, secure bonding

06tesa® 75882 – 100 μm double-sided foam tape

Superior IPX8 waterproof protection
Application fields: demanding touch panel, screen or backglass mounting applications with high requirements for chemical and impact resistance, mounting of waterproof designs
Excellent chemical resistance
Very high shock performance
Good wettability and high sealing capability

07tesa® 66866 – 300μm d/s white high shock & anti-repulsion PE foam tape

White color
Outstanding shock push-out performance
Excellent anti-repulsion property to prevent lifting issue
Waterproof IPX8 to prevent water leakage
Application fields: TP mounting and back cover mounting in consumer electronics devices
Good rework-ability

Within our waterproof tape portfolio, we offer a range of durable cloth tapes (opens in a new window or tab) trusted by professionals worldwide. Engineered for demanding industrial environments, they combine strong adhesion, abrasion resistance, and reliable water protection — making them ideal for maintenance, assembly, and repair tasks under harsh conditions.

Product highlights:

tesa® 4688 (opens in a new window or tab) – A waterproof, weather-resistant cloth tape featuring a PE-coated fabric backing and a natural rubber adhesive. It offers excellent adhesion on rough and uneven surfaces, high tear resistance, and easy handling — ideal for sealing, protecting, and bundling in outdoor and industrial environments.
tesa® 4651 (opens in a new window or tab) – A high-grade acrylic-coated cloth tape with a thick, robust backing and strong adhesion, even on oily or dusty substrates. Designed for long-term industrial use, it provides reliable waterproof sealing, abrasion resistance, and easy unwinding, making it suitable for permanent protection and heavy-duty repairs.

Explore our range of waterproof tapes

From versatile waterproof cloth tapes to high-performance bonding films, we offer a complete range of waterproof tape solutions. Each product is tested to deliver outstanding water resistance, adhesion, and long-term stability under challenging conditions.

Downloads

tesa solutions for the electronics industry PDF 9.3 MB

tesa® 4646 greenhouse repairing tape tesa® 4646 Greenhouse Repairing Tape PDF 491.6 kB

tesa cloth tape assortment folder PDF 3.3 MB

Automotive_Attachment-Part-Mounting-052a

tesa automotive attachment part mounting PDF 1.6 MB

tesa electronics advanced pet mounting tapes 2019 web 2 pager

tesa electronics advanced PET mounting tapes PDF 1.7 MB

tesa electronics acrylic foam tapes 2019 web 2 pager

tesa eletronics acrylic foam tapes PDF 6.3 MB

Waterproof tapes combine a specially formulated adhesive with a backing material that repels or blocks water. This ensures that moisture cannot penetrate the tape, providing a reliable seal even under high humidity or exposure to liquids. A tape is considered waterproof when its closed-cell backing and high-performance adhesive prevent water from passing through the material or the bond line. In electronics, this is achieved through foam structures that seal when compressed, strong adhesion on metals and plastics, and resistance to humidity, sweat, and cleaning agents — enabling reliable moisture protection up to IPX8 conditions.

Yes — certain waterproof tapes can be used underwater, especially those engineered for IPX8 conditions. These tapes maintain strong adhesion and sealing performance even during continuous submersion, making them suitable for moisture-critical electronics, sensor areas, and tightly sealed assemblies. For permanent underwater applications, such as in industrial water tanks or marine components, it is recommended to consult our technical experts to select the optimal tape type and application method. Our team can recommend solutions that balance adhesion, backing material, and environmental resistance for each specific use case.

Waterproof tapes can last for many years, depending on the material, adhesive, and operating conditions. High-performance foam and acrylic tapes used in electronics are designed for long-term sealing, maintaining adhesion and waterproof integrity even under humidity, temperature changes, and everyday mechanical stress.

tesa woman in white lab coat using tablet in bright laboratory with colleague working in background (This text has been generated by AI)

Find the right waterproof tape for your application

Every waterproofing challenge is different. Our technical experts will help you identify the ideal waterproof tape for your specific materials, conditions, and performance requirements.

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