How to choose electrical tape
For all its apparent simplicity, electrical tape has a number of characteristics and properties that should be considered when choosing.
So, as a standard, insulation tape contains a plasticized polyvinyl chloride base with an adhesive layer on top of it.
Insulation tape is widely used:
- in industry and everyday life, repair, home, automobile, etc. works for electrical insulation.
- for marking, connecting and fixing electrical wires, assembling them harnesses
- for strengthening cables, mechanical protection of cable sheaths.
The many brands currently on the market of insulating tapes differ from each other not only in brands and assortment (variety of types) depending on the brand of electrical tape, but also in the quality of the materials used and workmanship, which directly affects the characteristics of the product itself. How to choose a product of decent quality and how much it costs Note? Let's start with the simplest and most understandable - length and width of insulation tape.
Standard dimensions are usually the following (width / length):
15/10mm, 15/20mm, 19/20mm.In addition, the appearance of the tape is also important: the tape must be free of holes, bubbles, folds, cracks and foreign inclusions, gaps in the adhesive layer and tears at the edges.
Also pay attention to the appearance of the roller itself: the surface of the roller should be smooth. The convexity of the tape bends and through gaps between the bends at the ends of the roll.
The next important property of the insulating tape, which should be considered, is the so-called adhesion or "adhesion", «Adhesion force».
Adhesion (from Latin adhaesio — sticking). This grip different liquid or solid bodies at the points of contact of their surfaces.
The adhesive properties of the tape are determined by two main parameters, one of which is the thickness of the adhesive layer, or the so-called «micronization». Typically the thickness of the polypropylene base is 130 microns and all the rest is glue. The adhesive layer is usually 15 microns thick.
Also important type of glue (acrylic or rubber).
Rubber adhesive layer has the following properties: high initial adhesion, slight subsequent adhesion growth, high shear strength, moderate heat resistance, good solvent resistance, moderate UV resistance, relative durability.
Properties of acrylic adhesive: sufficient initial adhesion, gradual increase in adhesion, high shear stability, high heat resistance, high resistance to solvents, increased resistance to UV rays, durable. That is, it is easier to work with rubber-based belts, but the acrylic layer is more reliable in further use. The choice is yours. Finally, the main parameter of the electrical tape can be called perhaps the breakdown voltage (electrical strength).The PVC insulating tape isolates voltage up to 5 kV, protects against moisture, acids and bases, and provides mechanical protection.
General instructions for using self-adhesive tapes:
1. Temperature
The optimal temperature for applying the adhesive tape is between 20 ° and 40 ° C. It is not recommended to work with the tape at temperatures below 10 ° C.
2. Type of surface
The adhesive tape is not recommended for use on silicone coatings and fluoropolymers. When applied on easily disintegrating, flaking, disintegrating materials (DVP, untreated wood, concrete) mandatory preliminary treatment (priming) of the surface with primer materials.
3. Surface preparation
The areas of the surface on which the tape is stuck must be dried and cleaned of dust and dirt.
4. Pressure
The bond strength of the adhesive tape to the surface increases as the area of contact adhesive tape / surface increases. To achieve this contact, it is necessary to provide short-term strong pressure on the tape and the parts to each other. The recommended contact pressure is 100 kPa.
5. Dependence of the strength of the adhesive bond on time
For tapes with acrylic adhesives, the strength of the adhesive bond, as we said above, increases with time. For tapes with rubber adhesives, full adhesion is achieved almost instantly.
Store the tape in a clean and dry place. Recommended storage temperature 18 — 21 C, air humidity 40 — 50%.