Frequently Asked Questions

General

Adhesive Applications offers high-temperature silicone masking tapes designed to withstand extreme heat while removing cleanly without residue or surface damage. Our polyester-backed silicone tapes are rated for continuous operating temperatures up to 350°F (177°C), while our polyimide-backed silicone tapes perform at continuous temperatures up to 500°F (260°C).

Both constructions provide excellent thermal stability, dimensional integrity, and clean removal after high-temperature processing.

Common Applications:

  • Aerospace manufacturing
  • Powder coating and finishing
  • High-temperature masking and protection

Yes. Adhesive Applications manufactures a silicone transfer adhesive specifically designed for biocompatible applications requiring low extractables. This adhesive meets ISO 10993-5 (cytotoxicity) and ISO 10993-10 (irritation and sensitization) standards and exhibits very low extractables to help minimize contamination risk.

It is compatible with many biological fluids, making it suitable for sensitive medical and life-science environments.

Common Applications:

  • Biotechnology devices
  • Medical components
  • Diagnostic and analytical equipment

Yes. Adhesive Applications offers low-tack polyester-backed tapes engineered for easy removal and controlled adhesion. These products are available with adhesion levels ranging from approximately 2 oz/in up to 20 oz/in or higher, depending on the formulation.

They can be supplied as self-wound tapes or with a release liner, allowing flexibility for converting and automated processes.

Common Applications:

  • Carrier tapes for die-cut parts
  • Temporary protection and masking
  • Non-silicone masking for aerospace and converting

Yes. Adhesive Applications now produces a 0.5 mil silicone transfer adhesive designed for applications where an ultra-thin bond line is critical. This adhesive supports tight dimensional tolerances while delivering consistent adhesion performance.

Its thin profile makes it ideal for modern lightweight assemblies and compact component designs.

Common Applications:

  • Automotive assemblies
  • Electric vehicle (EV) components
  • Electronics and precision bonding

Adhesive Applications offers multiple adhesive solutions designed to bond effectively to silicone substrates. These include unsupported silicone transfer adhesives as well as double-coated tapes combining acrylic adhesive on one side and silicone adhesive on the other.

These constructions provide reliable adhesion to silicone rubber, silicone sponge, and foam materials that are traditionally difficult to bond.

Common Applications:

  • Gasket manufacturing
  • Converters
  • Sealing, cushioning, and insulation components

Converters & OEMs

Yes. Adhesive Applications offers high-temperature silicone adhesive tapes, most commonly coated on polyimide film. These tapes provide excellent heat resistance, mechanical strength, and chemical stability and are typically amber/brown in color. They can withstand continuous temperatures from approximately 260°C up to 500°C, depending on the construction.

Yes. Adhesive Applications can coat a wide range of film substrates using acrylic, rubber-based, silicone, UV hot-melt, and emulsion adhesive systems. We also offer pigmented adhesive options for color-coded applications. Our in-house laboratory can test your specific substrate to ensure the adhesive provides the right level of protection without surface damage.

Yes. Adhesive Applications provides removable adhesive options, but the correct solution depends on your application. Key factors include:

  • Substrate type
  • Application and service temperature
  • Indoor or outdoor exposure
  • UV, chemical, solvent, fuel, or harsh environment exposure

Our technical and lab teams work closely with customers to identify an adhesive that delivers the desired level of removability without residue or surface damage. Many of these removable adhesives are also used as process aids during converting and can be coated on PET films compatible with rotary, laser, digital, and flatbed die cutting.

Medical

Yes. Adhesive Applications offers FDA-approved direct skin adhesives specifically designed for wearable medical devices. We coat acrylic, silicone, rubber-based, and emulsion adhesive systems, with acrylic adhesives being our primary solution for direct skin applications due to their balance of adhesion, comfort, and wear time.

Yes. Adhesive Applications manufactures a wide range of medical-grade adhesive solutions. For wearable devices, we provide adhesives designed for direct skin contact. We also offer double-coated tapes and adhesive transfer tapes for medical device assembly, as well as adhesive products commonly used in microfluidic applications.

Surface temperature limits vary by adhesive type and application.

  • Acrylic-based tapes are recommended for both interior and exterior applications and offer a wider operating temperature range.
  • Rubber-based tapes typically have lower temperature resistance and are better suited for less demanding environments.

Our team can recommend the appropriate adhesive based on your temperature requirements.

The best transfer tape depends on several factors, including:

  • The substrate material (PUR, vinyl, ABS, etc.)
  • The environment (indoor vs. outdoor, heat, cold, moisture)
  • Tape thickness and performance requirements

Because these variables affect adhesion performance, we evaluate each application to recommend the most effective transfer tape solution.

Proper surface preparation is critical for optimal adhesion. Surfaces should be clean, dry, and free of oil, dust, dirt, or cleaning residue before tape application. No special surface treatments are typically required beyond standard cleaning.

Automotive

Yes. Adhesive Applications holds automotive approvals with the four major automotive OEMs. Final specification approval depends on the specific application, material combination, and project requirements, and we work directly with customers to ensure the correct adhesive solution meets the required OEM standards.

No. Our adhesive products are designed to be primerless and bond effectively without the need for additional primers. This helps simplify the application process, reduce labor time, and lower overall production costs.

Surface temperature limits vary by adhesive type and application.

  • Acrylic-based tapes are recommended for both interior and exterior applications and offer a wider operating temperature range.
  • Rubber-based tapes typically have lower temperature resistance and are better suited for less demanding environments.

Our team can recommend the appropriate adhesive based on your temperature requirements.

The best transfer tape depends on several factors, including:

  • The substrate material (PUR, vinyl, ABS, etc.)
  • The environment (indoor vs. outdoor, heat, cold, moisture)
  • Tape thickness and performance requirements

Because these variables affect adhesion performance, we evaluate each application to recommend the most effective transfer tape solution.

Proper surface preparation is critical for optimal adhesion. Surfaces should be clean, dry, and free of oil, dust, dirt, or cleaning residue before tape application. No special surface treatments are typically required beyond standard cleaning.

Window & Door OEM

The best glazing tape depends on your window system design, substrate materials, and environmental exposure. Adhesive Applications manufactures wide-web PE foam glazing tapes coated with rubber-based, acrylic, and silicone adhesives, allowing us to support a wide range of window and door applications. To determine the best product for your specific substrates and performance requirements, we recommend application-specific testing. Adhesive Applications can perform R&D and validation testing in our state-of-the-art laboratory to identify the optimal glazing tape solution.

Proper surface preparation is essential for optimal adhesion. The surface should be clean, dry, and free of dirt, dust, oil, or residue. Using a clean white cloth and, if available, a hand air gun to remove contaminants is recommended. No oils, solvents, or cleaning residues should remain on the bonding surface before tape application.

Glazing tape size depends on several factors, including:

  • The width of the glazing leg (which determines tape width)
  • Glass thickness
  • Depth of the glazing bead

Measuring the bonding surface width will help determine the correct tape width. Tape thickness is selected based on glass thickness and bead depth to ensure proper compression and sealing. Patio doors typically require wider and thicker glazing tape due to the increased square footage and weight of insulated glass units.

In most applications, glazing surfaces are square. The tape should be applied by hand, ensuring it is seated as tightly as possible into the 45-degree corners on all sides. Applying consistent pressure using a hand tool can improve adhesion. It is also critical to apply a small dab of clear silicone in each corner to enhance sealing and adhesion when the insulated glass unit is installed.

No. Exterior simulated divided lite (SDL) applications require a different adhesive system. Adhesive Applications offers a more aggressive silicone adhesive coated on foam specifically designed for weatherization and exterior exposure. These applications require lab and field testing to ensure long-term performance, and Adhesive Applications can support both testing and product selection.