“Tape? Spray? Glue? What should I do?” Rhyming questions aside, when considering all the materials needed for a successful custom gasket, it is crucial to factor in the type of adhesive needed.
The right adhesive depends on numerous factors:
- the purpose of the gasket (permanent seal vs. temporary seal)
- the composition of the material it’s bonding to (natural rubber? foam? steel?)
- what the gasket is meant to contain (water? chemicals? air?)
You have several adhesive types to consider for the task. The most common gasket adhesives are gasket glue, spray, liquid, and gasket tape. Each adhesive type has its own unique characteristics that must be understood before calling on them for your gasketing project.
Gasket glue isn’t just the typical glue you’ll find while walking down the school supplies aisle. Instead, this type of glue is specially designed to have a powerful bond, possibly with additional help, that needs to hold up over a long period of time. It often requires a heating element and can sometimes get messy.
The spray or liquid gasket adhesives are typically used to bond materials that are unusual in size or shape, or have irregular surfaces. While these can be beneficial due to the speed of application and ability to get into those hard-to-reach places, they can be messy (drip … drip), and they can potentially release fumes, creating an unpleasant or unsafe working environment.
Between all the gasket adhesive options, we think gasket tape is the way to go. Keep reading for the top 5 ways gasket tape is more effective than other gasket adhesives.
What is Gasket Tape?
In a nutshell, gasket tape is a strong adhesive that works to seamlessly bond two surfaces to ensure the gasket is working properly. Gaskets are meant to create seals, often to prevent mixing or leaking or to keep things airtight.
Different variations of gasket tape exist, with the most common being double-sided tape, VHB (very high bonding) tape, and adhesive transfer tape. Be sure to determine which type of gasket tape will be the most ideal for your project before rolling ahead with production.
What Makes Gasket Tape the Preferred Choice?
The benefits of using gasket tape over the other gasket adhesives are plentiful, but they can be summed up below.
1. Pre-Application
One of the most convenient aspects of gasket tape is that it can be applied to the gasket material before it’s cut into the right shape and size. So, if you’re starting with a large sheet of gasket material, that surface can be covered with the gasket tape before you even need to worry about making sure everything is in the right shape. It’s like getting a head start!
Cutting and shaping the gasket material and then putting the gasket adhesive on afterward could lead to irregularities and an uneven application of the sealant, which could then cause a domino effect of issues — or outright catastrophes — further down the line.
2. Lower Initial Cost
Gasket tape is a generally lower-cost adhesive than some of the other options you will find out there. The materials are common and are often relatively inexpensive. Plus, the production and application of the gasket tape can be made via speedy and efficient automation, which can save you money on labor and equipment costs over the long term.
3. Time Saving
Related to the lower cost and pre-application benefits, using gasket tape as your adhesive can save time. The pre-application allows for a large swath of gasket material to be coated with the adhesive all at once. The automation to apply it can often be done quickly without sacrificing quality or safety. Additionally, gasket tape doesn’t require curing or drying time. When it’s applied, it’s all set. No waiting is needed.
In any manufacturing setting, saving time without cutting corners on safety or quality is ideal for remaining profitable and successful. Gasket tape helps you achieve those goals.
4. Cleaner Appearance
With gasket tape, you’ll have a less bulky and cleaner appearance overall. Tape is a thin substance on its own, so it won’t be adding unnecessary bulk to a gasket like glue might. It also has less (practically zero) chance of looking messy, which is a genuine possibility with a spray or liquid gasket adhesive.
Gasket tape, once applied, is almost like a thin film on the gasket itself, covering the precise amount that is needed to be covered, rather than spilling out or going where it doesn’t belong. Not only will that make it appear cleaner, but it can also ensure the gasket’s effectiveness, too.
5. More Versatility
You can put two different types of gasket tape on each side of the gasket if you are bonding two different substrates. You aren’t stuck (no pun intended) with something that won’t work out. It is customizable to your application.
With tape, you have options within this option. Perhaps a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) tape, which bonds once pressure is applied, is the right call. Or maybe you’re better off with a heat-activated taping system (HATS) for your project. Plus, don’t forget the multiple tape types we listed above — double-sided tape, VHB tape, and adhesive transfer tape — that may work best for your gasket.
Read More: An Ultimate Guide to Foam Gaskets
Production Considerations
As an industry leader in the converting business, Strouse can work with you to cut and shape the right adhesive the right way. We are a 3M™ Preferred Converter, and as such, we have access to many of their resources in addition to our own experts and facilities. You’re practically getting a two-for-one deal with Strouse.
If you’re planning to move ahead with gasket tape as your chosen adhesive, there’s a way for you to reduce the time and financial risks associated with jumping into something new. When you work with us, you can receive a real-world sample to test the waters. With minimal cost or commitment, we can provide you with a prototype in only a few days.
To get the process started, click the link below and provide us with as much information about your design as you can. If you have a drawing, we can work with that as well. Once you submit that form, one of our team members will contact you to explore the details.
