The main considerations for choosing masking tapes
for your coating jobs is the tape material, the temperature the tape will be
exposed to, the thickness, and the residue the tape might leave behind. Many
tapes can now perform under very high temperatures—even over 500 degrees F—and
still leave little or no residue.
Below we’ll review some of the most popular masking
tapes for Teflon paint and powder coating in each of four temperature ranges.
It’s also important to remember that many tape types also come in precut “disc” versions for convenience.
The common industrial-grade “crepe” tape available
at most hardware stores will only perform well up to 225° F, though there is a High-Temp Crepe Tape for applications up to 325° F. The
advantages of the High-Temp Crepe Tape are the thickness (7.5 mil), the ability
to handle corners, the lack of residue, and the low price. In addition, 3M
offers material and color options in this low temperature range,
including crepe, vinyl, aluminum foil, and lead foil tapes.
Polyester is the most popular material
for this temperature range (up to 400° F) because it is thin, extremely
economical, and removes cleanly from surfaces without leaving a residue. Available
in green (2 mil), red (1 mil), and blue (1 mil). These
polyester tapes are the industry standard for general purpose powder
coating, e-coating, anodizing, plating, and painting.
The most common tape for Teflon™ paint is a polyimide
tape often known by the name Kapton®. Kapton can withstand ovens up to 500°
F, adheres well to any surface, and removes cleanly from surfaces without
leaving a residue. It has an amber color and is available in 1 mil or 2
mil thicknesses.
Glass Cloth, or fiberglass tape, is also commonly
used for Teflon™ coatings and other high-temperature (up to 500°
F) coating processes such as thermal spray and plasma spray. It is very
abrasion resistant, which makes it ideal for a grit blasting mask. It
adheres well to any surface and removes cleanly from surfaces without leaving a
residue.
Aluminum/Glass Flame Spray Tape is another high-temp (500° F) tape that
combines strong fiberglass cloth with aluminum foil and is coated with special
silicone adhesive. This tape has high reflection to radiant heat and good flexibility
for plasma spray masking, grit blasting, and extreme temperature coating.
The High-Temperature Aluminum Foil Tape from 3M
is a shiny silver, 3.6 mil aluminum foil backing with silicone adhesive used in
many high-temperature applications. This tape provides good holding, splicing,
patching, or general protection. It is also flame resistant and meets requirements
of F.A.R. 25.853(a). The performance range is from -65° F to over 600° F. As
the adhesive thermosets at high temperatures, the adhesive mass becomes firm,
gradually losing its pressure sensitivity while still holding the tape in
place.
