What Is Double-Sided Tape? Types and Selection Criteria
Double-sided tape is a roll tape with adhesive on both faces that bonds two surfaces together without screws or holes.
Double-sided tape is a roll tape with adhesive on both faces that bonds two surfaces together without screws, rivets or holes. It usually consists of a carrier (foam, plastic film or tissue paper) with an adhesive layer on each side; carrier-free transfer tapes also exist. In electrical work it is used to fix labels, adhesive cable holders and lightweight parts to panel or device surfaces. It is not an insulating tape.
Types of double-sided tape
| Type | Construction | What it is chosen for |
|---|---|---|
| Foam carrier | Thick, compressible foam | Rough or not perfectly flat surfaces; fills gaps and damps vibration |
| Film carrier | Thin plastic film | Thin, even bonding on flat surfaces; labels and plates |
| Tissue carrier | Thin tissue paper | Paper, cardboard and light jobs |
| Transfer tape | Carrier-free adhesive film | Flat, clean surfaces where a very thin bond is needed |
The adhesive type also changes behaviour: acrylic adhesives resist ageing, sunlight and heat better; rubber-based adhesives grab faster but are generally for indoor use.
Selection criteria
- Surface material: Metal, glass and painted surfaces bond easily. Most tapes do not hold on polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) or silicone-treated surfaces; look for suitability for these surfaces on the datasheet.
- Surface evenness: On rough, curved or textured surfaces a foam-carrier tape makes better contact; on flat surfaces a film-carrier tape does.
- Load and load direction: Tape carries much more under load parallel to the surface (shear) than under load pulling it away (peel). Do not mount a part so that it is pulled into peel; use a mechanical fixing for heavy parts and ceiling mounting.
- Width: Choose by the contact area; a wider tape spreads the load over a larger area. Narrow tape is for thin-edged parts and labels.
- Environment: Check outdoor, sunlight, humidity and temperature resistance on the manufacturer's datasheet.
Common mistakes
- Applying to a dirty, oily, damp or cold surface: The adhesive does not wet the surface. Clean and dry the surface first.
- Not pressing after application: The adhesive seats under pressure. Press the part firmly and do not load it immediately; full adhesion builds up over time.
- Using the tape for insulation: Double-sided tape does not insulate conductor joints; joints are insulated with insulating tape.
- Hanging a heavy part on tape alone: Peel load gradually separates the tape; use screws, rivets or clamps.
Double-sided tapes in the catalog
All 8 active products in the Double-Sided Tapes category are from KSN:
| Width | Roll length | Products |
|---|---|---|
| 10, 12, 19, 25, 30, 38, 50 mm | 10 m | 7 |
| 19 mm | 25 m | 1 |
The tapes are sold per piece (roll). The product names do not state the carrier or adhesive type; for outdoor use or low-surface-energy plastics, check the product page. For bundling cables see cloth tape, and for other types the tapes group.
Frequently asked questions
Does double-sided tape provide electrical insulation?
No. Double-sided tape is for fixing parts to a surface. Conductor joints are insulated with insulating tape, and joints exposed to moisture with self-fusing tape.
Does double-sided tape stick to plastic?
Most tapes stick to plastics such as ABS, PVC and polycarbonate. Polyethylene, polypropylene and silicone-treated surfaces have low surface energy; they need a tape stated as suitable for them.
Should I choose foam tape or film tape?
If the surface is rough or not perfectly flat, a foam-carrier tape fills the gaps and holds better. If both surfaces are flat and a thin joint is wanted, choose a film-carrier tape.
What width of double-sided tape should I choose?
The tape should cover as much of the part's contact area as possible. 10–19 mm suits labels and thin parts; 25–50 mm suits wider parts and plates.