IQS Newsroom Articles on Masking Tape
Masking Tape
Masking tape is the easy-to-tear, pressure-sensitive tape which was one of 3M's first and biggest products. It was invented in 1925 and used by the auto industry to paint two-toned cars. It doesn't damage newly painted surfaces or leave behind unwanted residue, making it very useful for painters to mark off areas that should not be painted and to create straight edges while painting. It is used as a common household item and in a variety of industrial applications where masking off areas is necessary, such as etching, plating, power coating, soldering, sand blasting, and flame or thermal spray techniques. Masking tapes are usually a tan or light brown color, and those made specifically for painting are often purple or bright blue.
Masking tape's backing is most commonly made of paper, but manufacturers sometimes use polymer or polyimide films, polyester, glass cloth, foil, vinyl or layered materials that are laminated together. The adhesive varies according to the tape's function. Rubber-based adhesives offer the strongest hold, but have the lowest temperature resistance. Acrylic-based adhesives have a wide temperature range (from sub freezing to 325 degrees F), while silicone-based adhesives offer the greatest temperature resistance (up to 500 degrees F). The adhesive strength is also based on a 1 to 100 point scale. Usually, masking tape adhesives used for painting are rated around 50. Household masking tapes, though, have adhesives found much lower on the scale.