Splicing tapes are used within numerous manufacturing production processes. They can be used to join two parts of a product. Their role is centered around streamlining production, making it more seamless while helping to minimize downtime.
Various products are provided in roll form, including laminate, plastic, foam, paper, and cardboard. These rolls are typically fed into machines before being converted into an end product.
By joining two rolls of a product utilizing splicing tape, manufacturers can ensure a continuous production line without halting production to switch out tape rolls.
Manufacturing operations become more efficient because, instead of stopping the line, manufacturers can cut the section at the end of the roll before splicing another roll on top.
Splicing tapes are widely used in various industrial purposes. They boast powerful quick-stick properties, allowing superior bonding to numerous films, foils, and treated papers.
Splicing tapes, available in multiple colors and thicknesses to accommodate precise splicing applications, are economical for holding, insulating, and protecting materials.
This article provides detailed insight into splicing tapes, their features, benefits, and applications, focusing on the CHR M Series from Saint-Gobain®.
Introducing the CHR M Series Tape
The CHR M Series Tape is a 1 mm polyester silicone adhesive tape manufactured from polyester film with added silicone pressure-sensitive adhesive. Its high conformability stems from polyester backing and silicone adhesive.
These tape products are available either with or without a liner, with moderate to aggressive adhesion, and in various color options, including clear, white, green, red, blue, yellow, orange, and black. The CHR M Series tape is provided in master log form and can be slit to master log width.
Splicing tapes for manufacturing production processes. Image Credit: Saint-Gobain
Utilization and Selection of Splicing Tapes
Splicing tapes are used in diverse applications and settings, including print applications, low-voltage electrical insulation applications, liner manufacturing, and labeling applications.
Most liners are silicone-release, though customers may opt for moderate or aggressive adhesion depending on the release coat employed as a backing. A customer may require a robust bond and the ability to immediately adhere to the release coat.
Customers generally select aggressive pressure-sensitive adhesives when working with these liners because waiting for the tape to bond with the liner could cause a break.
Silicone can be manufactured to be very tacky, impacting its aggressiveness. The tackier the silicone, the more aggressive it is, making it quicker and easier to apply. These tapes represent a quick-stick solution that can be applied with hand pressure because they do not need significant tension to work well.
Applications requiring a product that can be removed quickly without leaving residue may also impact the need for tackiness and adhesion. CHR M746 has been designed with lower tack and adhesion than its standard silicone counterpart to allow for clean removal.
It is important to consider what materials the tape must adhere to, as this will affect selection. Different materials, including paper, cardboard, rubber, metal, foam, and foil, must be spliced in industrial applications.
Coated paper like cardboard is typically difficult to splice, for example, requiring a splicing tape that can adhere rapidly and aggressively. CHR M741, M751, and M824 offer excellent and rapid bonding to numerous treated papers, films, and foils.
Certain splicing tapes may be required for more specialized applications. CHR M823 and M824 can accommodate most splicing applications, including oven-splicing applications requiring good wet-out capabilities.
Specific products are advisable where an application requires robust electrical insulation, chemical resistance, or resistance to high and low temperatures. M66 offers reliable electrical insulation, while M717 can provide a chemically resistant barrier. M50, M52, M758, and M803 all offer excellent resistance to high and low temperatures.
M746 can be easily removed without leaving residue, and M751 is regularly used to manufacture decals, labels, and pressure-sensitive materials. M803 is a highly specialized protective circuit board masking tape.
Tape products like M50, M52, M66, M717, M741, M758, and M803 represent a cost-effective means of holding, insulating, and protecting materials.
When selecting a splicing tape for a specific application, it is important to consult with a reputable manufacturer like Saint-Gobain to ensure specific application requirements are reliably met.
Long-Length Tape Rolls and Automation
Long rolls of tape offer numerous advantages in making manufacturing processes faster and more seamless. Long-length rolls are especially useful in automatic dispensing processes because there is no need to stop the machine and replace the product, reducing machine downtime and lead times.
Saint-Gobain's machines for creating splicing tape also run long lengths of polyester, allowing the company to significantly cut lead times and rapidly deliver products to customers.
There is a growing interest in enhancing automation by utilizing robotics in industrial manufacturing.
Robotics applications require more aggressive adhesion. CHR 5369 is a yellow-colored product ideally suited for robotic handling and automatic application because the silicone is extremely tacky, meaning it can be applied without concerns about insufficient adhesion.
CHR Splicing Tape Solutions
Many applications that use release liners require the joining or splicing of siliconized materials. CHR Splicing Tapes ensure the seamless production, processing, and coating of silicone release liners.
Splicing tapes are also essential for lowering lead times and maximizing process efficiency. These tapes eliminate the need to stop machinery or halt processes when switching out rolls of tape, allowing maximized output, reduced costs, and improved manufacturing efficiency.
Acknowledgments
Produced from materials originally authored by Maggie Bieniek from Saint-Gobain Tape Solutions.
This information has been sourced, reviewed, and adapted from materials provided by Saint-Gobain Tape Solutions.
For more information on this source, please visit Saint-Gobain Tape Solutions.