What you should to know about Aluminum foil tape?

• What is Aluminum foil tape?

  Aluminum foil tape, also known as Aluminum tape or Foil tape, is a Pressure sensitive adhesive tape that is primarily made from aluminum foil. It is commonly used in various applications where a strong, heat-resistant, and reflective tape is required.

  The tape consists of a thin layer of aluminum foil that is coated on one side with a strong adhesive. The adhesive is usually acrylic-based or rubber-based, providing excellent adhesion to a wide range of surfaces, including metal, plastic, glass, fiber, cloth, foam, and other common materials.

  Aluminum foil tape is known for its heat resistance and thermal conductivity properties. It can withstand high temperatures and is often used in HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems for sealing and insulating purposes. The reflective nature of the aluminum foil helps to minimize heat transfer, making it useful for applications such as ductwork sealing, pipe insulation, and heat shielding.

  

  Additionally, aluminum foil tape is also used for general purpose sealing, patching, and repairing tasks. It can be applied to seal gaps, seams, and joints in various surfaces to provide a barrier against moisture, dust, and air leakage. The tape is flexible and easy to work with, allowing it to conform to irregular shapes and surfaces.

  Overall, aluminum foil tape is a versatile adhesive tape that offers heat resistance, reflectivity, and strong adhesion properties. Its applications range from HVAC systems and insulation to general sealing and repair tasks.

• How to properly select the different types of Aluminum foil tape?

  When selecting aluminum foil tape, there are a few factors to consider to ensure you choose the appropriate type for your specific application.

  Here are some key points to keep in mind:

  Adhesive Type: 

  Aluminum foil tapes are available with different adhesive types:

  • Synthetic rubber resin adhesive, Also named Hot melt adhesive
  • Water-based acrylic adhesive
  • Solvent-based acrylic adhesive

  Synthetic rubber resin adhesive offer good adhesion to a variety of surfaces and are suitable for general-purpose applications. Acrylic adhesive provide a stronger bond and better heat resistance, making them more suitable for high-temperature applications like HVAC systems.

  Thickness:

  Aluminum foil tapes come in varying thicknesses, typically ranging from 18um to 150um. But the actual common thickness is up to 50um. The thicker the aluminum foil is, the higher the tensile strength of the tape becomes.

  But the thicker the foil, the more expensive it is. We usually use reinforced foil to increase its tensile strength but not much production costs.

  Reinforced foil tapes include：

  • FSK tape
  • Aluminum foil glass cloth tape
  • Foil scrim tape
  • PET laminated foil tape

  Heat Resistance or cold weather:

  If you are working with high-temperature applications, ensure that the aluminum foil tape you select is designed to withstand the temperatures involved. Silicone adhesive is great for extreme temperature applications since silicone adhesive can work in continuous operating temperatures from -100°F to 500°F. They also exhibit good chemical resistance, retain electrical properties, and remove cleanly with little or no residue. But it’s price is more expensive than other adhesives.

  If you are working with cold weather conditions, there is a special Solvent acrylic adhesive is designed to withstand the low temperatures. It will be good performance aggressive cold weather acrylic adhesive. Provides long-term anchorage and strong cohesive bond for long-term durability.

  Reflectivity:

  If the reflective properties of the tape are important for your application, check the specifications or product description for information on its reflectivity. Higher reflectivity can help in heat shielding and insulation applications.

  But sometimes we need to decorate the indoor air duct with black, white, brown aluminum foil tape. These different colors of Aluminum foil tape allow the ducts hidden into the surrounding environment to avoid uncomfortable visual effects.

  • Black aluminum foil tape
  • White aluminum foil tape

  Application:

  Seal any seam and joint of air conditioner ducts

  Air Conditioner Aluminum Foil Tape seal range hoods vent joint seams. Seal the duct work on a kitchen vent as duct installation and sealing. Stick on the inside of the stove top panel as glass panel explosion-proof tape.

  Seal range hoods vent joint seams

  Range Hood Aluminum foil tape for duct work of uses, including general repair, sealing hot and cold air ducts, duct insulation systems, sealing aluminum, stainless and plastic seams / joints, temporary repair of metal surfaces, copper pipe fixing.

  Wrap refrigeration tubes, channels or thermal exchange

  Refrigerator factory used Self-Wound Aluminum foil tapes to wrapping tubes inside refrigeration. To attach tubes, channels or coils expanding the area of thermal exchange.

  Self-wound aluminum foil tapes no liner don’t need to tear off the release paper liner during use, reduce operation time. So most of Refrigerator factory use it.

  Environmental Factors:

  If your application will be exposed to outdoor or harsh environmental conditions, look for tapes that are designed to withstand UV exposure, moisture, and other elements. These tapes are typically labeled as weather-resistant or suitable for outdoor use.

  Certifications and Standards:

  In some industries or applications, specific certifications or standards may be required. For example, HVAC applications may require compliance with UL 181B-FX standards. Sometimes need UL 723 rated meets International Building Code standards Aluminum foil tape. Check for any necessary certifications or standards and ensure that the tape meets those requirements. It's also helpful to consult the manufacturer's guidelines and technical specifications for the specific aluminum foil tape you are considering. They can provide detailed information about the tape's properties, recommended applications, and any limitations.

  By considering these factors, you can select the appropriate type of aluminum foil tape that matches your application requirements and ensures optimal performance.

Learn more about Aluminum Foil Tape