Introduction
For procurement specialists, OEM engineers, and B2B buyers, navigating the adhesive tape industry can be challenging without a clear understanding of essential terms and product specifications. This comprehensive glossary consolidates industry-standard definitions, material characteristics, performance metrics, and frequently asked questions about adhesive tapes. Designed as a reference page and SEO authority resource, this glossary improves clarity in tape procurement and captures long-tail keyword traffic through precise, authoritative explanations.
A-Z Adhesive Tape Terms & Definitions
Adhesion
The force required to separate tape from the surface it’s applied to. Measured in ounces per inch (oz/in) or Newtons per 25mm.
Acrylic Adhesive
A synthetic adhesive known for UV resistance, long-term aging stability, and moderate adhesion strength. Common in packaging and industrial tapes.
Aluminum Foil Tape
A type of pressure-sensitive tape with an aluminum backing, offering excellent heat resistance, moisture barrier properties, and flame retardancy.
BOPP
Stands for Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene. A widely used plastic film substrate for packing tapes due to its strength, clarity, and moisture resistance.
FAQ: What does BOPP stand for? → Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene.
Cloth Tape
A heavy-duty tape reinforced with a woven fabric backing, used for bundling, sealing, and surface protection.
Crepe Paper
A lightweight, crinkled paper substrate offering flexibility and easy tear, typically used in masking tapes.
Duct Tape
A versatile, cloth-backed, water-resistant tape with strong adhesion and durability, originally developed for HVAC applications.
Double-Sided Tape
An adhesive tape with adhesive coatings on both sides, used for bonding, mounting, and lamination.
Elongation
The percentage increase in tape length before breaking under tension. Indicates flexibility and stretch capacity.
FAQ: Why is elongation important in adhesive tapes? → High elongation allows for tape to conform to irregular surfaces without breaking.
Masking Tape
A pressure-sensitive tape made with crepe paper backing and removable adhesive, used for paint masking and temporary holding.
OPP Tape
Another term for BOPP tape. Common in carton sealing due to cost-efficiency and moderate performance.
PET Tape
Polyester film-based tape with excellent heat and chemical resistance, widely used in electronics and powder coating.
Release Liner
A paper or film layer that protects the adhesive surface of double-sided tapes before use.
Rubber Adhesive
A natural or synthetic adhesive providing strong initial tack and moderate resistance to aging and heat.
Tensile Strength
The maximum force a tape can withstand before breaking, measured in pounds per inch (lbs/in) or Newtons per 25mm.
FAQ: What is tensile strength in adhesive tape? → It measures the tape’s ability to resist breaking under tension.
[To be continued: more definitions, tape grades, specification standards, FAQs, and application notes]
The following are some commonly used terms in the industry
Pallet
A flat transport structure that supports goods in a stable fashion while being lifted by a forklift, pallet jack, or conveyor. Used for bulk tape shipments.
Example: “Orders over 500 cartons are packed on pallets for sea freight.”
MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity)
The smallest quantity of product a supplier is willing to sell in a single order.
Example: “Our MOQ for custom-printed tape is 500 rolls.”
Lead Time
The total time required from order placement to final delivery.
Example: “Standard lead time for private label BOPP tape is 20 days.”
FOB (Free on Board)
An Incoterm meaning the seller delivers the goods on board a vessel specified by the buyer, covering all costs up to that point.
Example: “FOB Ningbo price: $0.85 per roll.”
CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight)
An Incoterm where the seller pays for the cost of goods, insurance, and freight to the destination port.
Example: “CIF Los Angeles pricing available for full container orders.”
Carton
A cardboard box typically containing multiple tape rolls, standard unit for bulk packaging.
Example: “Each carton contains 72 rolls of 48mm x 100m packing tape.”
Core Size
The internal diameter of a tape roll’s cardboard or plastic core. Standard sizes: 1” (25mm), 2” (50mm), 3” (76mm).
Example: “Standard core size for OPP tape is 3 inches.”
Slitting
The process of cutting large jumbo rolls into smaller, customer-specified widths.
Example: “We provide custom slitting services from 8mm to 100mm.”
Jumbo Roll
An oversized roll of tape produced from coating lines, later converted into retail or industrial roll sizes.
Example: “One jumbo roll yields 600 small rolls.”
Coating Weight
The amount of adhesive applied to the tape backing, typically expressed in grams per square meter (g/m²).
Example: “Standard hot melt BOPP tape has 25μm film and 20g/m² adhesive coating.”
Pantone Color
A standardized color system for precise color matching in custom-printed tapes.
Example: “Logo printed in Pantone 186C red.”
Sample Lead Time
The period required to produce and dispatch product samples for approval before bulk production.
Example: “Printed tape sample lead time: 5 working days.”
Pre-stretch
A feature in stretch film (used with tape and wrapping) where the film is pre-stretched for easier application and reduced material use.
Example: “Our stretch film is 300% pre-stretched for improved load stability.”
TDS (Technical Data Sheet)
A document providing technical specifications and performance data for a specific tape product.
Example: “Please find attached the PET tape TDS with full temperature and tensile specs.”
MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet)
A safety document listing potential hazards, safe handling, and regulatory data for tape adhesives and components.
Example: “Available MSDS for solvent-based tapes upon request.”
Products
Rich variety of adhesive tape