A Complete Guide to Foam Tape

In this article, you will find answers to most of your questions about foam tape, including its end uses and a wide range of applications. The variety of foam, sponge rubber and tapes available allows for endless combinations when foam tape is paired with an adhesive. As a consequence, the possibilities for the implementation of foam tape are technically limitless. We'll look at foam tape in more depth and discuss its various uses and benefits.

What is Foam Tape?

Foam tape is a high-performance adhesive tape made of foam with pressure-sensitive characteristics. The adhesive films can be found on either one or two sides of the foam strip and are meant to be easy to apply, use and clean. 

Foam tapes are highly customisable and available in a variety of lengths, sizes, densities, adhesives, cell structures, textures and colours. The best choice depends on the user's intended purpose. Used by professionals or DIY enthusiasts in their day-to-day tasks, foam tapes’ high versatility make them ideal for a wide range of uses and surfaces of all kinds.

What is foam tape used for?

Among the most popular applications of foam strips are:

• Protecting
• Insulating
• Sealing
• Bonding
• Cushioning/padding
• Gap-filling
• Gasketing
• Weatherstripping
• Draught-sealing
• Sound-dampening
• Vibration-reduction
• Slip-resistance
• Moisture protection
• Dust sealing

Basically, adhesive-coated foam tapes are used to level uneven surfaces. If the space between two areas is too wide, a thicker foam tape can be applied to close it up. A foam tape is usually designed to improve the performance of an object or surface and to enhance its general appearance.

Foam tapes are ideal for automotive, electrical, or construction applications. They are often used in place of mechanical fasteners (rivets, bolts, screws, and welding materials) because of their ability to withstand a high level of vibration. 

For the construction industry or DIY projects, foam tape's high strength and durable seals can stop gas, dust, fluid, air, or sound from escaping between two matched machine parts or around pipe joints. Among other applications are enclosures for electrical devices, airtight compression, shed windows, doors, showers, roofing, etc. For hard-to-reach places, foam tape is an excellent option, and it can be manufactured in multiple widths.

Examples of adhesive foam tape applications

There are several types of foam strips: soft, medium and firm density. Depending on your application, you will need a specific range. Automobiles, construction, manufacturing, and electronics are among the industries that make extensive use of adhesive foam tapes due to their wide array of properties. 

Soft range foam tape

This type of product is often used for anti-vibration, lightweight seals, lightweight cushioning, and air and dust seal purposes.

Medium range foam tape

This foam tape is ideal for cushioning, waterproof sealing, gap filling and preventing heat loss. Whenever insulation is deficient around a window or door, for example, foam tape keeps cold and hot air outside and offers a long-term and cost-effective replacement solution. 

Firm range foam tape

It is commonly used for heavy-duty applications related to noise reduction, glass shielding, and slip resistance in low-compression situations.

Automotive manufacturers use foam tape to bond emblems to parts. On construction sites, foam tapes can be used to reduce draughts, close any gaps, and weatherproof windows and doors.

Types of Foam Tape

Most foam stripes come in rolls with removable backings that should be peeled off before use. Despite the fact many foam tape applications only require adhesive on one side, double-sided foam tapes are also available. They are commonly used when the two sides that are joined by the tape are not expected to be moved. The benefits of single-sided and double-sided foam tape vary based on their application.

Single-Sided Foam Tape

Single-sided foam tapes often serve as sealing materials when shrinkage or expansion may occur on wooden or metallic items, like doors or windows. Steps can also be made safer by applying single-sided foam strips onto them. Some models seal against air, dust, or moisture using compression forces. Overall, single-sided foam tapes are relatively simple to cut, size and install, offering a reliable method to answer your needs.

Double-Sided Foam Tape

While single-sided versions are best suited for sealing, insulating and filling gaps, double-sided foam tapes are ideal for bonding or mounting two surfaces together. It can also be used for sealing, depending on what you are aiming to achieve.

Bonding two irregular surfaces with double-sided foam tapes is typically a quick and effective way to resolve the issue. It is because double-sided foam tape is flexible, adaptable, and provides strong levels of stress distribution. Therefore, it is ideal for working in environments where temperature variations occur frequently, causing materials to expand at different rates.

Foam Tape Characteristics

Each foam tape has unique features and purposes. For instance, materials such as EPDM and PVC provide very good insulating properties to compensate for different thermal expansions.

When choosing the right foam tape for your application, be sure to pay close attention to its specific properties. Variations in foam tape densities, thicknesses, adhesive systems and cell structure allow for a great variety of end uses. The success of your project depends on specifying the foam tape that best suits your application.

Here are some of the most common foam tapes types:

• Silicone foam tapes
• Polyethene foam tapes
• Acrylic Foam Tapes
• Neoprene EPDM Blend foam tapes
• Polyether & Polyester Urethane foam tapes
• PVC Vinyl foam tapes
• Vinyl Nitrile foam tapes
• EFO EPDM foam tapes

Foam tape can be used in a temperature range from -40 °F to 300 °F.

Just so you know, PVC foam tape is chemically stable and reliable. Silicone foam tape offers a strong, consistent bond and adheres to a variety of surfaces. PE foam tape dampens sound and vibrations and compensates for materials expanding or contracting. As a result of its flexible and elastic nature, acrylic foam tape is durable and offers high strength.

Is foam tape waterproof?

A lot depends on the material you choose. Various materials are available that are excellent for waterproofing and tightening window frames, roofing, and other construction projects. The most effective waterproofing tapes are closed cell foam tapes, as their dense nature prevents moisture from entering.

Benefits of Foam Tape

There are many foam tape benefits, and it is a versatile product that can offer a wide variety of advantages across multiple applications. Economical and simple to use, it is a reliable solution with a wide range of key advantages.

Some key benefits include:

• Anti-slip
• Anti-corrosion
• Solvent-resistant
• UV-resistant
• Impact-resistant
• Helps to reduce sound and vibration 
• Helps to reduce temperature gain or loss
• Adaptable – can be used on a wide range of materials
• Versatile – can be used both indoors and outdoors

How can Affixit help you with foam tapes? 

Affixit offers a comprehensive selection of foam tapes that are suitable for use in a wide range of applications. For any inquiries contact our team of Affixit professionals, a member will be happy to assist you!

For more information on What Is Foam Tape? talk to Affixit Adhesive Tape