A technical data sheet (TDS) turns a tape into a set of numbers. Those numbers are only useful if you know how they were measured. Most industrial tape properties are tested by a handful of standard methods published by ASTM International, the Pressure Sensitive Tape Council (PSTC) and FINAT, the European self-adhesive labelling association.
Peel adhesion
Peel adhesion is the force needed to pull a tape away from a standard test panel, usually stainless steel, at a fixed angle and speed. It is the most quoted value on any TDS.
- Common methods: ASTM D3330, PSTC-101 and FINAT FTM 1 (180° peel). FTM 2 covers 90° peel.
- Typical procedure: a strip is applied with a standard roller, left for a set dwell time, then peeled back on itself at 180° at a set speed (300 mm/min is common).
- Units: N/25 mm, N/cm or oz/in. Always check the width basis before comparing two sheets.
Dwell time matters: a value measured after 20 minutes will usually be lower than one measured after 24 hours.
Tack
Tack describes how quickly an adhesive grabs a surface with very light pressure and short contact.
- Loop tack (FINAT FTM 9, ASTM D6195): a loop of tape, adhesive outward, is lowered onto a panel and pulled away; the force is recorded.
- Rolling ball tack (ASTM D3121, PSTC-6): a steel ball rolls down an incline onto the adhesive; the shorter the distance it travels, the higher the tack.
High tack helps fast application but does not guarantee high final strength.
Shear holding power
Shear tests show how well a tape resists a constant load sliding along the bond — the property that keeps a mounted item from slowly creeping.
- Common methods: ASTM D3654, PSTC-107 and FINAT FTM 8.
- Typical procedure: a set area of tape is bonded to a panel, a weight hung from it, and the time to failure recorded in minutes or hours.
- Tests may be run at room temperature or at elevated temperature; heat usually reduces holding time sharply.
Tensile strength and elongation
These describe the backing's strength and stretch.
- Common methods: ASTM D3759 and PSTC-131.
- Tensile strength is the force to break a strip, in N/25 mm or N/cm. Filament and cloth tapes show high values.
- Elongation at break is how far the tape stretches before breaking, in %. PVC and foam tapes stretch a lot; polyester and filament tapes very little.
Thickness
Thickness is measured with a specified gauge and pressure (ASTM D3652, PSTC-133), usually in µm or mm. Check whether the value includes the liner — on double-sided tapes it often does not.
Reading a TDS
| What you see | What to ask |
|---|---|
| Peel adhesion value | On which panel, at what angle, after what dwell? |
| Tack value | Loop or rolling ball? |
| Shear time | What load, area and temperature? |
| Temperature resistance | Short-term or continuous? |
| Thickness | With or without liner? |
| Test method | ASTM, PSTC, FINAT or in-house? |
Why values are "typical"
Almost every TDS states that its figures are typical values and not specifications. That is because results vary slightly between batches, test operators and laboratories, and because standard panels are not your parts. A typical value tells you how products compare under identical conditions; it does not predict performance on painted, textured or low-energy surfaces. Where a value is critical, agree a specification with a minimum and test method, and run your own trials.
Key takeaways
- Compare tapes only when the test method, units and dwell match.
- Peel and tack are about grip; shear is about resisting a constant load.
- Treat TDS figures as guidance, then confirm on real parts.
Data sheets for products such as filament tape, polyester tape and double sided polyester tape follow these conventions.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between peel and shear?
Peel measures the force to pull the tape off at an angle; shear measures how long the tape resists a constant load sliding along the bond.
Why can't I compare two data sheets directly?
They may use different test methods, panels, dwell times, speeds or units, all of which change the result.
What does 'typical value' mean on a TDS?
It is an average from standard tests, given for guidance; it is not a guaranteed minimum or a specification.
Which peel test is most common?
The 180° peel test, described in ASTM D3330, PSTC-101 and FINAT FTM 1, is the most widely quoted.
Tell us the surface, temperature and job — we'll recommend a grade and share its data sheet.
