We’ve all heard of and seen the vinyl tape. When we consider all of its industrial applications, it’s surprising to see how it is incorporated into our daily lives. With endless uses, it’s hard to imagine a world without it.
What is a vinyl tape?
The primary component of this tape is a form of plastic called vinyl. Since its manufacture in the 1940s, it has gained a great deal of popularity. Its versatility, durability, and stretchability make it higher in demand than other materials. Moreover, it can be effortlessly removed from a variety of surfaces.
- Positive features of vinyl tapes
- Industries prefer to use vinyl tape because of the following beneficial qualities:
- easily conforms to irregular surfaces
- keeps insulations for longer periods
- doesn’t burn when overheated- ideal for electrical purposes
- versatile adhesive
- stretch capabilities
- can be removed easily and cleanly
- high-quality tape
- moisture resistant
- long-lasting nature -resistant to abrasion, corrosion, and impact
- can be easily applied and removed
- can be written or printed on
- available in various colors for specific application requirements
- variety of different thickness, widths, and patterns
Why do factories use vinyl tapes?
There are several reasons why industries commonly use these tapes. Here are just a few:
Environmentally friendly
With the rise in awareness of global warming, there is greater concern about harmful emissions. Vinyl tape is a favorite among those who wish to cut down on pollution. Vinyl is an environmentally friendly material as it comprises of 57% common salt and 43% vinyl resin. Thus it can be easily recycled. When compared to other materials, especially in the packing industry, the manufacture of vinyl requires fewer resources, utilizes less energy, and releases fewer emissions.
Organizes workspace
Facilities often use vinyl tape for floor markings. It has the power to optimize workflow by helping to create aisles, designated zones, warehouse lanes, parking areas for forklifts and other machinery, pallet housing, etc. Their unique adhesive promotes easy and clean installation as well as removal, unlike floor paint. Changing the layout of a factory or warehouse is less complicated and time-consuming.
Greater durability
Industrial vinyl tape is specially engineered to withstand severe conditions and is resistant to abrasion. Its long-lasting quality makes it a cost-effective solution for many industries. It’s an ideal product where there is a substantial amount of traffic, wear and tear from objects dragging along the floor, and weathering. They can retain their bright color over time, even when exposed to harsh conditions and substances.
While vinyl tapes are resistant to common solvents, avoid contact with ketones, thinners, degreasers, paint strippers, etc. These may cause the backing to swell or curl.
Enhance safety measures
Vinyl tapes help to keep work areas safe by highlighting hazardous or no-go areas in factories and warehouses. They can be used to effectively outline or block off sections of a facility so that employees can either avoid a particular area or be cautious about potential risks. In fact, it is one of the easiest ways to keep the facility accident-free. Tapes that glow in the dark can be used in dark places, highlight steps and walkways, or other problem areas.
Aids in color coding area/equipment
Industrial vinyl tape is available in the standard work area hues. It helps to dedicate certain zones within the work area. Codes commonly associated with specific colors are:
- Yellow- aisles, walkways, traffic lanes, work cells
- Orange- material or product inspection or temporary storage locations
- Red- safety/first aid, defect/scrap area, red tag area
- Blue- materials and manufacturing, raw materials
- Black- materials and manufacturing, work in progress
- Green- materials and manufacturing, finished goods
- Black/yellow stripes- areas of potential health risks, extra caution required
- Black/white stripes- areas to stay out of for operational purposes
Superior adhesive
Once applied, it stays put. That’s a big plus for facilities that experience a great deal of traffic. But more importantly, they are super useful in sealing joints and wrapping pipes.
Enhances strength
Objects wrapped with vinyl tape are protected, making it difficult to break them. And since the tape is resistant to moisture and corrosion, the object underneath can be shielded for years to come. Despite these properties, a piece of vinyl tape can be torn by hand, thereby making it immensely easy to work with. However, this can compromise the stretch ability of the tape.
Safe electrical wiring
Vinyl electrical tape is pressure-sensitive that can be utilized to insulate electrical wires or materials that could conduct electricity. In addition to protecting and binding cables and joints, electricians can denote each color for a particular use.
Simplifies repair work
Vinyl tape requires little maintenance or repair wherever it is used. That is because it conforms perfectly to the surface it is applied to, preventing any flagging. But when it needs to be replaced or removed, it does not require much effort or time.
- Exceptional workability
It’s stretchable property, and unparalleled adhesiveness allows it to be applied anywhere. Let’s not forget that the upper surface can be written on with markers or pens as well as printed on, thus allowing it to be utilized as packaging or barrier tape.
Final words
As a versatile material, industries are employing vinyl tape instead of paint. Vinyl tape is now the preferred choice of many because business owners can:
- save time as it’s easy to remove when changing layouts
- quicker to apply since there is no curing time
- easy to use with no need for liquid chemicals or cleanup due to spills
- there are no fumes
- saves money because the material is often cheap and there is less labor cost involved
- application is straight-forward even curved or irregular surfaces
- simply requires lines or markings to apply
These are just a few of the uses and benefits of vinyl tape. There are many other opportunities where industries now opt over products.