Tape Specialities
Case Study 3
High tack splicing tape for heavy duty sheet flooring
The Challenge:
High traffic vinyl flooring is manufactured
by building up several layers of lamination, with the final layer being the “wear” coat.
Once applied, the sheet material needs to be spliced and then permanently
joined together. The reel to reel method of producing this material requires
the use of a very robust joint across a 4 metre web, this procedure can only
be undertaken with the use of a high performance splicing tape. What made
this application more challenging were the extreme weight and tensions of
the sheeting involved and the fact that the tape had to operate at temperatures
of up to 200 degrees Celsius in a high moisture area.
The Solution:
Our first task was to find a carrier strong enough to withstand the
high shear specification. Utilising our experience gained in solving many other
industrial splicing applications we decided upon a high strength flat back Kraft
carrier which we then coated with a high temperature solvent based acrylic adhesive.
It was crucial that we offered a high tack/high sheer product to give that ever
so important initial contact grab. We had also noted that only certain adhesives
would work for this application due to the longer term effects of plasticizer
migration on the component parts. This has proved a long term success throughout
the vinyl flooring industry.