Masking tape

Raw silicone rubber, tackifying resins, cross-linking agents, catalysts, and other functional additives are mixed and stirred in a specialized reactor according to a precise formula. A solvent (such as toluene) is often used to adjust the viscosity of the adhesive to make it suitable for the subsequent coating process. This step is critical for the final adhesion, temperature resistance, and residue-free properties of the tape.

The prepared backing film is mounted on a large coating machine. Using a precision coating head (such as a knife coater or gravure roller), the formulated liquid silicone adhesive is applied evenly and smoothly to one side of the film. The thickness of the coating is strictly controlled, typically only a few tens of microns, as its uniformity directly affects the consistency of the tape’s performance.

The coated film immediately enters a multi-zone drying tunnel (oven) that can be tens of meters long.

Drying Stage: In the initial, lower-temperature zones, the solvent is evaporated and recovered.

Curing Stage: In the subsequent, higher-temperature zones, the cross-linking agent in the adhesive undergoes a chemical reaction catalyzed by the catalyst, forming a stable three-dimensional network structure. This process, known as cross-linking or curing, gives the adhesive its final strength, cohesion, and high-temperature resistance.

The output from the production line is a very wide (often over 1 meter) and long (several thousand meters) “master roll” or “jumbo roll”. Based on customer orders, a high-speed slitting machine is used to precisely cut the master roll into the required narrow widths (e.g., 10mm, 20mm), which are then rewound onto standard paper or plastic cores to form the final product rolls.

Strict quality control checks are performed at various stages of the production process and on the finished product. Key inspection items include:

Thickness: Ensuring the thickness of the backing and adhesive layer meets specifications.

Adhesion: Testing the 180° peel strength of the tape on a standard steel plate.

Temperature Resistance: Placing a sample at a specified high temperature for a period, then testing for changes in adhesion and any residue.

Appearance: Inspecting the tape surface for defects such as bubbles, impurities, or scratches.

Qualified finished tape rolls are packaged, typically in individual shrink-wrap or sleeve packaging, and then placed in cartons. The packaged products are labeled with specifications, batch numbers, and other information before being sent to the warehouse for storage and shipment.