Aluminum self-adhesive tape: properties, types, characteristics

Aluminum self-adhesive tape is a widely used sealing material, used both in construction, for installation works, and at home. It is an aluminum foil with a glue base and a sealing layer applied to one side.

Properties

Aluminum tape is lightweight, strong and reliable with high thermal insulation properties. It is elastic in structure, easily takes the necessary shape. It can be bent, cover uneven surfaces, which makes it fairly easy to use.

Most often an aluminum self-adhesive tape is used for sealing joints and thermal insulation of surfaces. This is due to such properties of LAS as:

• The presence of barrier properties to water, dust, bacteria;
• High wear resistance and tensile strength;
• Opacity - the ability to reflect radiation and heat;
• Stability characteristics, corrosion resistance and safety.

Self-adhesive aluminum tape has a high degree of adhesion (2.5-10 N / cm). This indicator characterizes the degree of adhesion of the tape to the working surface. The tape retains its properties, including gluing, in a wide range of temperatures - from -20 to +120 ⁰ C. The thickness of the glue base is not less than 20 microns.

Types and designations

Several types of self-adhesive aluminum tapes are produced:

• Aluminum self-adhesive tape (LAS).
• LAS-A (reinforced). Used for increased demands on the strength of joints.
• LAS-T (heat-resistant). For use in high temperature environments.
• LAS-SP (with polymer coating). It is used for sealing glass and insulating glass.
• LAS-P (strong). For use in difficult conditions and increased requirements for strength.

The choice of a particular type of aluminum tape depends on the conditions of its use.

Technical requirements for materials

• Aluminum self-adhesive tape is made of aluminum foil 30-50 microns thick. On one side a layer of glue is applied, which is protected with anti-adhesive material.
• The heat-resistant tape (LAS-T) is made of the same foil (30-50 microns), but the glue base, also protected with anti-adhesive material, is heat-resistant.
• Aluminum reinforced self-adhesive tape is manufactured with a one-side additional layer of glass mesh on aluminum foil 7-30 microns thick.
• Aluminum self-adhesive tape with polymer coating (LAS-SP) is made of foil with a thickness of at least 50 microns with a polymer coating (20 microns) applied on it. Adhesive backing with protective material is applied from the side of the foil.
• Self-adhesive aluminum tape is strong (LAS-P) is made of a multilayer material consisting of two layers of polymer film of 20 microns and 60 microns and a layer of foil between them 9-11 microns in thickness.

Application area

High strength aluminum self-adhesive tape allows you to use it when installing structures under load. Aluminum assembly self-adhesive tape is widely used for new construction and reconstruction of both civil and industrial facilities: sealing joints of heat-insulating materials and ventilation ducts, vapor barrier, pipelines, as well as for renewal of aluminum elements.

Aluminum self-adhesive tape is used for repair and construction on dry technology, covering joints, strengthening joints and other types of work. With its help, heat exchangers and reflectors of heating devices, heating systems, water supply and ventilation are sealed. LAS is used for fixing the heat exchanger in refrigeration cabinets.

LAS is used to install foam polymers and mineral wool to plastic or metal surfaces. At higher requirements to the strength of the seams, reinforced (LAS-A) or strong (LAS-P) self-adhesive tape is used, in the conditions of elevated temperatures - heat-resistant tape (LAS-T). In the production of insulating glass units, a self-adhesive aluminum tape with a polymer coating is used.

Features of use

Before applying the tape, the surface to be treated must be prepared. To do this, the surface is degreased with special compounds, it must be dry and clean. When working with the tape, it is necessary to exclude the ingress of fine particles onto the open adhesive substrate or the surface to be treated. If you do not carry out the necessary surface preparation, the tape will not stick properly and will not give the desired effect.

One of the important rules when working with self-adhesive tape is to avoid touching the adhesive base. Stick on carefully, without hasty movements, be sure to keep the tape lying flat. After gluing it is desirable to smooth the treated joints once again. At temperatures above +80 ⁰ C, the tape can be twisted around the edges. When using a tape under these conditions, gluing should be done overlapping. To obtain the expected effect, the recommendations in the instructions for use should be followed.