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Reading an Adhesive Tape Data Sheet
What does a 29.0 lbs/inch tensile strength mean?
Lets begin by defining tensile strength. Tensile strength is the force required to break a piece of tape by pulling on opposite ends of the piece. When you see 29.0 lbs/inch tensile strength on a material's data sheet, that means it takes 29 pounds per inch to break that product in half. Tensile strength is often expressed in pounds per inch. However, some products are expressed in newtons per centimeter or N/cm.
You may also see the terms machine direction tensile, cross direction tensile or wet tensile on a data sheet. Machine direction tensile is measured parallel to the length of the tape. Unless it is otherwise specified, the tensile strength of your product is measured in machine direction. Cross direction tensile strength is measured at right angels. Wet tensile strength is measured after the tape has been kept wet for a specified period of time. This is useful when determining if your tape will function properly when exposed to moisture.
Click to view an example data sheet.
Lets begin by defining tensile strength. Tensile strength is the force required to break a piece of tape by pulling on opposite ends of the piece. When you see 29.0 lbs/inch tensile strength on a material's data sheet, that means it takes 29 pounds per inch to break that product in half. Tensile strength is often expressed in pounds per inch. However, some products are expressed in newtons per centimeter or N/cm.
You may also see the terms machine direction tensile, cross direction tensile or wet tensile on a data sheet. Machine direction tensile is measured parallel to the length of the tape. Unless it is otherwise specified, the tensile strength of your product is measured in machine direction. Cross direction tensile strength is measured at right angels. Wet tensile strength is measured after the tape has been kept wet for a specified period of time. This is useful when determining if your tape will function properly when exposed to moisture.
Click to view an example data sheet.