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Tapes

Tapes (also referred to as Adhesive Tapes) are an indispensable part of modern life, regardless of whether you use them to seal packages or just to complete your DIY projects, you are likely to have some type of adhesive tape in your household.

The market, however, offers a wide range of tape types that differ in terms of durability and adhesion. With industrial tapes, double-sided tapes, clear tapes, and even magnetic tapes, knowing which size and type of tape are right for your task is essential.

The adhesive tape rolls are perfectly suited both to use in sealing and binding applications. You can choose from various sizes and colours to suit your needs.

Depending on the features, applications, and materials of the tape, there are a variety of ways in which it can be distinguished.

We at RS PRO carry tapes for a variety of uses, ranging from household to industrial, electric insulation tapes to temporary hook and loop tapes, a large assortment of Gaffa to flashing, plastic to paper, and everything in between.

Among our suppliers are some of the best brands in the world, such as 3M, Advance Tapes, Tesa, and RS PRO. Let's explore some of the core benefits of each type now.

What kind of tapes are there?

It is not always possible to classify tapes into the various categories that are available on the market due to different features, such as;

Single adhesive or double-sided tape

They can have one or two adhesive sides and come in different materials to suit every environment. Tapes with single sides can be used to bond a surface or join two materials that are adjacent or overlapped.

Double-sided tape has two adhesive sides that allow it to be used to join two objects back-to-back.

Gaffer

As a variation of duct tape, the gaffer is also known as gaffa tape and is different from duct tape because it is non-reflective and easy to remove. A gaffer is often used in theatres and in the film industry for marking the position of stage equipment or stage positions.

Duct

Often called duck tape, this tape has a layer that is normally coated with polyethene to protect it against water. It can be used to fix several objects guaranteeing resistance, however, as the name suggests, ducts are not the best choice as it is not completely waterproof.

Hook and Loop

They ensure a secure fastening by pressing together two types of tapes. It is best used on clothes or furniture to replace fastening systems such as zip and buttons.

What are tapes made of?

Tapes can be constituted of different materials, which determine in turn the best application they're suitable for;

Aluminium or Foil: Thanks to its strong adhesive power and the peculiar properties of this metal, the aluminium tape is commonly used in electrical, construction, and HVAC industries where the need for conductivity and resistance is higher.

Cloth: They have a cloth backing and can be coated with a rubber adhesive, they can come in different colours and are perfect as markers for every use.

Copper: Flexible and available either in conductive or non-conductive versions, their main field of use is electronics.