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Electronics => Projects, Designs, and Technical Stuff => Topic started by: ulwur on November 24, 2024, 10:19:21 am

Title: Tape
Post by: ulwur on November 24, 2024, 10:19:21 am
I'm looking for that black cloth electrical tape with very strong adhesive that's used in electronics sometimes. Like keeping antenna wires from wiggling in laptops and such.
What's the right keywords to search. Black tape just brings up the pvc variant electricians use.
Title: Re: Tape
Post by: amyk on November 24, 2024, 10:47:38 am
Look for "cloth tape".
Title: Re: Tape
Post by: ulwur on November 24, 2024, 01:26:51 pm
That's what I searched for and I got some form of fuzzy cloth tape used to tape cable looms in cars , fuzzy to keep down rattling I guess.
The tape I'm looking for is kind of shiny and smooth.
Title: Re: Tape
Post by: tooki on November 24, 2024, 01:42:03 pm
Your description is not enough to conclusively identify it (but that isn’t a criticism of you: it can be impossible to identify an unknown tape). There are too many tapes that are visually identical but have subtly or radically different characteristics.

I think a better question is “what features are you looking for in a tape?” As in, what are the performance characteristics you require? What is the problem you’re looking to solve?

Take a look at https://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/371333O/specialty-catalog-05-tapes.pdf?&fn=Spec-Cat-05_Tapes.pdf — there are many cloth or filament-reinforced tapes made for electrical use. (Look at page 150.)
Title: Re: Tape
Post by: Roehrenonkel on November 24, 2024, 02:18:04 pm
Hi ulwur,
 
something like this:
https://heinrich-haeusler.de/article-detail/1000847912
?
In germany they go unter the name "Isolierband",
may search for "PVC/Vinyl Iso-tape" or so.....

Good luck
Title: Re: Tape
Post by: tooki on November 24, 2024, 02:20:03 pm
Hi ulwur,
 
something like this:
https://heinrich-haeusler.de/article-detail/1000847912
?
In germany they go unter the name "Isolierband",
may search for "PVC/Vinyl Iso-tape" or so.....

Good luck
Ach Mensch… did you even read the original post? PVC electrical tape is what OP does not want.
Title: Re: Tape
Post by: BILLPOD on November 24, 2024, 02:40:04 pm
Good Morning Ulwur,  Back in the day, (1950s), we called it 'Friction Tape'.  And I see it is still available.  :popcorn:
Title: Re: Tape
Post by: calzap on November 24, 2024, 03:45:22 pm
Take a look at XFasten wire harness tape.  https://xfasten.com/collections/wire-harness-tapes?srsltid=AfmBOordJcH0QWRn1d08TAvTp8NLsZe-PEm-TuAlsGRweS_KkaY-HwPb

Mike
Title: Re: Tape
Post by: ejeffrey on November 24, 2024, 04:35:58 pm
There is non-fuzzy fabric gaffers tape they might be similar to what you are looking for?  Here is an example:

https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Basics-Residue-Non-Reflective-Gaffers/dp/B07K1WW8WW (https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Basics-Residue-Non-Reflective-Gaffers/dp/B07K1WW8WW)
Title: Re: Tape
Post by: pcprogrammer on November 24, 2024, 07:38:17 pm
This might be the stuff you are looking for: https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005007458156179.html (https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005007458156179.html)

I searched for "black automotive tape"
Title: Re: Tape
Post by: David Hess on November 24, 2024, 11:31:01 pm
Good Morning Ulwur,  Back in the day, (1950s), we called it 'Friction Tape'.  And I see it is still available.  :popcorn:

I like friction tape, but it does not have a very sticky adhesive.

I have seen the black fiber reinforced tape that the OP is referring to, but I have no idea what it is called or where to get it.  It is incredibly difficult to remove from itself and other surfaces.  I always end up cutting it to get it off.
Title: Re: Tape
Post by: mikerj on November 24, 2024, 11:34:44 pm
The cloth tape used on automotive wiring looms is commonly called "Tesa tape", since Tesa is a leading brand name of this type of tape.
Title: Re: Tape
Post by: seedkey on November 26, 2024, 04:08:42 am
Hockey tape
Title: Re: Tape
Post by: Someone on November 26, 2024, 07:19:50 am
Digikey > Product Index > Tapes, Adhesives, Materials > Tape
+ filter for fabric carriers = 500 something results

I like friction tape, but it does not have a very sticky adhesive.
as above
There are too many tapes that are visually identical but have subtly or radically different characteristics.
"friction tape" as a range that as DigiKey serves up has a spread of matching styles including branding like "StrongHold". Adhesion in production relies on cleanliness/surface prep and/or activators.
Title: Re: Tape
Post by: jonpaul on November 26, 2024, 07:53:09 am
3M electrical tape#361

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b40068300/ (https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b40068300/)
Title: Re: Tape
Post by: tooki on November 26, 2024, 08:45:39 am
I'm looking for that black cloth electrical tape with very strong adhesive that's used in electronics sometimes. Like keeping antenna wires from wiggling in laptops and such.
What's the right keywords to search. Black tape just brings up the pvc variant electricians use.
In the tape you're thinking of, is the cloth more like cotton cloth, or more like a shiny, woven synthetic ribbon?
Title: Re: Tape
Post by: David Hess on November 27, 2024, 12:01:12 am
In the tape you're thinking of, is the cloth more like cotton cloth, or more like a shiny, woven synthetic ribbon?

The tape I remember was shiny black with visible fiber reinforcement, relatively thin, and not very stretchy.  I think it came in all colors.

Title: Re: Tape
Post by: sleemanj on November 27, 2024, 02:31:01 am
Wire harness tape?  https://salelink.co.nz/products/fleece-tape
Title: Re: Tape
Post by: themadhippy on November 27, 2024, 02:55:00 am
Quote
The tape I remember was shiny black with visible fiber reinforcement, relatively thin, and not very stretchy.
almost sounds like gaffer tape
Title: Re: Tape
Post by: xrunner on November 27, 2024, 03:07:15 am
I bought some not too long ago on Amazon, sounds like what you are speaking of. It was called "Acetate Cloth Electrical Tape, 0.4in x 100ft (10mm x 30M) Black Insulating Fabric Adhesive Tape for Laptop Guitar Pickup Coil Transformer Cable Winding Bookbinding Repair"

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01E8W9XEO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01E8W9XEO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1)
Title: Re: Tape
Post by: notsob on November 27, 2024, 03:36:25 am
Try searching for

acid tape or acetic acid tape

Title: Re: Tape
Post by: tooki on November 27, 2024, 08:37:23 pm
Quote
The tape I remember was shiny black with visible fiber reinforcement, relatively thin, and not very stretchy.
almost sounds like gaffer tape
Gaffer's tape is one of the thickest tapes you can get. ;) So it definitely doesn't meet the "relatively thin" descriptor.
Title: Re: Tape
Post by: tooki on November 27, 2024, 08:39:56 pm
Try searching for

acid tape or acetic acid tape
Are those poor translations of "acetate tape"? It certainly looks like acetate cloth tape might be what OP is looking for.

(Acetate ≠ acid ≠ acetic acid. They're not the same thing, even if acetate is made from acetic acid.)
Title: Re: Tape
Post by: themadhippy on November 27, 2024, 08:44:36 pm
Quote
Gaffer's tape is one of the thickest tapes you can get.
not if yer buying the cheap stuff
Title: Re: Tape
Post by: tooki on November 27, 2024, 08:48:29 pm
Quote
Gaffer's tape is one of the thickest tapes you can get.
not if yer buying the cheap stuff
I've never seen gaffer's tape that even remotely qualifies as "thin".
Title: Re: Tape
Post by: ksjh on November 27, 2024, 09:32:01 pm
The cloth tape used on automotive wiring looms is commonly called "Tesa tape", since Tesa is a leading brand name of this type of tape.
In Germany, Tesa tape would just be golden-clear transparent office adhesive tape, like Sellotape in the UK or Scotch Tape in the US or Canada. The automotive stuff is most likely Tesa 51608, a 280 µm thin PET fleece wire harness tape: https://www.tesa.com/en/industry/tesa-51608.html (https://www.tesa.com/en/industry/tesa-51608.html)

Tesa makes a number different non-woven wire harnessing tapes, where 51608 is one of the thinnest variants: https://www.tesa.com/en/industry/applications/bundling/non-woven-tapes (https://www.tesa.com/en/industry/applications/bundling/non-woven-tapes)
Title: Re: Tape
Post by: tooki on November 27, 2024, 09:46:02 pm
There are too many tapes that are visually identical but have subtly or radically different characteristics.
"friction tape" as a range that as DigiKey serves up has a spread of matching styles including branding like "StrongHold". Adhesion in production relies on cleanliness/surface prep and/or activators.
Well yes, but it's not just surface preparation (cleaning, priming, activating, etc). They make tapes with a HUGE array of different adhesives that behave entirely differently. Some are good for certain materials, others better for others.

I work in the workshop at a university chemistry department, and we have to use a huge variety of materials due to the various chemical compatibility needs, with stainless steel and teflon being disproportionately represented (but also lots of glass, polycarbonate, hard PVC, PEEK, PBT, and others). Each poses different challenges with adhesives (both tapes and liquids/pastes/gels) and sealants. So it's not unusual for us to call up the adhesives suppliers for advice on what to use for a particular job. It goes way beyond the basics of cleanliness and primers.



(At work I recently threw out a few rolls of ~$35/roll 3M double-sided tape that went bad after too many years of storage -- it has strong adhesive on one side, and weak (similar to post it notes) on the other. Unfortunately the strong side aged to where it adhered permanently to the liner. :( )
Title: Re: Tape
Post by: ksjh on November 27, 2024, 09:56:19 pm
In addition to the non-woven (Tesa) fleece tapes, the automotive industry also uses some woven cloth tape variants, e.g., from certoplast: https://certoplast.com/en/products/fabric-tapes/
Title: Re: Tape
Post by: Someone on November 27, 2024, 09:59:46 pm
Digikey > Product Index > Tapes, Adhesives, Materials > Tape
+ filter for fabric carriers = 500 something results

I like friction tape, but it does not have a very sticky adhesive.
as above
There are too many tapes that are visually identical but have subtly or radically different characteristics.
"friction tape" as a range that as DigiKey serves up has a spread of matching styles including branding like "StrongHold". Adhesion in production relies on cleanliness/surface prep and/or activators.
Well yes, but it's not just surface preparation (cleaning, priming, activating, etc). They make tapes with a HUGE array of different adhesives that behave entirely differently. Some are good for certain materials, others better for others.

I work in the workshop at a university chemistry department, and we have to use a huge variety of materials due to the various chemical compatibility needs, with stainless steel and teflon being disproportionately represented (but also lots of glass, polycarbonate, hard PVC, PEEK, PBT, and others). Each poses different challenges with adhesives (both tapes and liquids/pastes/gels) and sealants. So it's not unusual for us to call up the adhesives suppliers for advice on what to use for a particular job. It goes way beyond the basics of cleanliness and primers.
I agree with all of that! Your quote was included for agreement/acknowledgment that it had already been said. That full stop in the middle, makes it two distinct statements/claims.

Quote
"friction tape" as a range that as DigiKey serves up has a spread of matching styles including branding like "StrongHold"
David Hess incorrectly claims friction tape is associated with a single range/form of adhesive.

Quote
Adhesion in production relies on cleanliness/surface prep and/or activators.
Something that had not yet been mentioned in the thread and important for people seeking maximum adhesion.

Still more agreement, for people unsure you're sadly not going to get much out of the catalogues or online listings (once upon a time I had some selection matrix charts for material adhesion) so ask a specialist.
Title: Re: Tape
Post by: mikerj on November 28, 2024, 11:06:05 am
The cloth tape used on automotive wiring looms is commonly called "Tesa tape", since Tesa is a leading brand name of this type of tape.
In Germany, Tesa tape would just be golden-clear transparent office adhesive tape, like Sellotape in the UK or Scotch Tape in the US or Canada. The automotive stuff is most likely Tesa 51608, a 280 µm thin PET fleece wire harness tape: https://www.tesa.com/en/industry/tesa-51608.html (https://www.tesa.com/en/industry/tesa-51608.html)

Tesa makes a number different non-woven wire harnessing tapes, where 51608 is one of the thinnest variants: https://www.tesa.com/en/industry/applications/bundling/non-woven-tapes (https://www.tesa.com/en/industry/applications/bundling/non-woven-tapes)

This shows how industries adopting brand names as a generic product name can be confusing!
Title: Re: Tape
Post by: David Hess on November 29, 2024, 03:49:47 am
Quote
"friction tape" as a range that as DigiKey serves up has a spread of matching styles including branding like "StrongHold"

David Hess incorrectly claims friction tape is associated with a single range/form of adhesive.

When someone mentions "friction tape", this is what I think of and I have a roll of it in front of me:

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b00042714/ (https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b00042714/)
https://www.amazon.com/1755-Friction-Tape-Inchx60-0-01/dp/B003WLVJZ4 (https://www.amazon.com/1755-Friction-Tape-Inchx60-0-01/dp/B003WLVJZ4)

It is cotton cloth embedded with rubber with no adhesive other than the rubber itself.  It never really sticks to anything else, but when wrapped tightly, the rubber between layers sort of merges.  Heating will burn rather than melt it.

A search on Amazon for "friction tape" returns many similar cloth+rubber tapes.

The tape mentioned in the OP is something I may have seen before but never identified despite wanting a roll.  In at least the form I am familiar with, it is shiny black, or sometimes shiny yellow, with a visible loose crosshatch of fibers, and has an incredibly strong adhesive so I end up just cutting and scissoring it off.  I have sometimes seen what is apparently the same tape used for motor windings.
Title: Re: Tape
Post by: shabaz on November 29, 2024, 04:31:00 am
This is the closest I've seen to the type of tape in some laptops and other basic consumer electronics; it's available at Amazon with the following title:
uxcell Acetate Cloth Tape for Laptop Electric Auto Guitar Repair High Temperature Adhesive Tape Black

The tape is very flexible, can be torn at a right-angle (i.e. tearing of the warp) so scissors are not essential.

The tape comes on a backing sheet. Personally I prefer using Kapton tape instead if possible, since there's less time-wasting, due to no need to peel any backing sheet.
Title: Re: Tape
Post by: jonpaul on December 04, 2024, 05:52:17 am
For HV, mains or power Use only UL/ETL/VDE approved electrical grade tape.
We use 3m or Ideal tape on pour production.

Nuts to use  cheap Chinese knockoffs

Jon
Title: Re: Tape
Post by: shabaz on December 04, 2024, 06:07:21 am
For HV, mains or power Use only UL/ETL/VDE approved electrical grade tape.
We use 3m or Ideal tape on pour production.

Nuts to use  cheap Chinese knockoffs

Jon

It's used for WiFi antennas, and guitar internals, and the like. It has got nothing to do with high-voltage or mains, and Chinese origin isn't relevant either.