What is Duct Tape made of?

What is Duct Tape Made of?

Cotton mesh

Cotton mesh forms the base of duct tape. The cotton backing gives strength and lets the tape to be torn in both directions.Tighter weaves and higher thread count , give greater strength, and allow for a cleaner tear. Accordingly, tape made with a better quality mesh is more expensive. The cotton fabric is called a "web".

 

Polyethylene coating

The cotton web is coated with polyethylene. This synthetic material protects the mesh from moisture and abrasion. The coating is flexible and allows the tape to stick better to irregular surfaces. Polyethylene is melted and applied to the fabric in a coating operation.

Adhesive

The adhesive used in duct tape is unique. It is formulated with rubber compounds that give a long term bond. The adhesive is applied to the substrate in a much thicker coating than lighter weight tapes. This serves to increase the adhesive properties of the tape.

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Tip of the Day. Why doesn't gaffers tape leave adhesive residue like duct tape? Duct tape uses a natural rubber adhesive. Gaffers tape uses a much higher quality synthetic adhesive that doesn't leave a gummy residue when it is removed.