Most heavy-duty tapes can withstand operating temperatures up to 250-300°F, but once you reach 400°F or higher, you need to start looking for specific materials suitable for high-temperature applications.
7 Types of Heat Resistant Tapes
If you're looking for high-temperature materials, your first thought may be "Which of these heat-resistant tapes is best for my project?"
After working with a range of materials, we determined that silicone adhesives, Kapton film, foil, glass cloth, polyester tape, acrylic adhesive, and 3M VHB tape are some of the most commonly used heat-resistant adhesives, liners, and Adhesive materials. Other applications.
The following list will detail these different types of tape so you can make the best choice during your material selection process.
1. Silicone adhesive
When you talk about heat-resistant tapes, think almost exclusively of silicone.
Silicone adhesive bonds can typically withstand temperatures from -60°F to 500°F (-51°C to 260°C), at least for short-term use. Many tapes can withstand brief bursts of heat without long-term use, which is something you need to be aware of when reading different technical data sheets.
Silicone adhesives are commonly used in high temperature aerospace, automotive, construction and electrical applications.
2.KAPTON (polyimide) tape
Kapton tape, also known as polyimide tape, is commonly used in aerospace applications due to its extremely high heat resistance and insulating properties.
Its temperature tolerance means the Kapton can withstand temperatures from -103°F to 500°F (-75°C to 260°C), but it is said to survive temperatures as low as -320°F to 752°F (-196°C to 400°C).
3. Foil
Foil tapes (aluminum, copper, stainless steel, etc.) are used for EMI and RFI shielding, HVAC sealing and insulation, and packaging.
Foil's temperature performance range tends to be about -65°F to 600°F (-54°C to 316°C), but temperature resistance may depend on the type of foil you use.
4. Glass cloth
Glass cloth or fiberglass tape is used for sound insulation, material reinforcement, etc.
Similar to Kapton and foil, glass cloth is extremely heat resistant and can withstand higher temperatures in excess of 500°F (260°C).
5. Polyester (PET) film tape
Polyester (PET) tape is used for electronic connections, high temperature masking and splicing in powder coating applications.
Polyester tape typically lasts in temperatures from -94°F to 400°F (-70°C to 204°C) and even at higher temperatures and shorter bake cycles.
6.3M VHB tape
3M's VHB ("Very High Bond") tapes are also primarily used to replace mechanical fasteners to reduce application weight or achieve a secure, long-term bond.
3M VHB tape is not specifically considered a "heat resistant" product. Although some VHB tapes can withstand temperatures up to 450°F, most VHB tapes fall below that limit. Many VHBs have a temperature of about -40°F to 200°F (-40°C to 93°C).
7. Acrylic adhesive
Acrylic tapes are used in strong bonding applications in automotive, medical and many other industries. They are high-strength and flexible components used to replace mechanical fasteners such as screws or rivets.
Although acrylic tapes have a temperature range of up to 400°F (204°C), most tapes are actually well below that limit. As for the lower limit, it's generally accepted that the limit is -20°F to -40°F (-28°C to -40°C), depending on the tape.
