What Is Masking Tape?
Masking means “covering” or “wrapping.”
Masking tape is used as a masking material for metal surface treatment. It can be classified by application into two types: for painting and for electroplating.
However, masking tape is mainly used as a protective material for buildings during loading and unloading. Other uses include protection of building materials in construction, prevention of paint overflow, temporary fixing, and temporary fixation. In recent years, it has been available in a wide variety of colors, the purpose of which is to prevent forgetting to peel it off.
Uses of Masking Tapes
Masking tapes are also used as curing material for concrete cobblestones. Curing is an important type of work to give concrete the required performance.
During the curing process of concrete, temperature and humidity must be well controlled so that cement hydration continues. Concrete does not form a dense, hardened structure at a young age. Therefore, it is prone to moisture dissipation into the atmosphere. Various measures have been taken to solve this problem, such as extending the period that formwork remains in place and using a film curing agent to protect the surface when the concrete surface is directly exposed to the open air.
However, due to the effects on the construction period and the effectiveness of the coating, a water retaining tape has been developed as an alternative to formwork to be applied directly to the concrete surface to prevent it from drying out.
Principle of Masking Tapes
Masking tapes are generally available in cloth and film types. Masking tapes consist of a base material on the surface and an adhesive on the reverse side. Some products are also sold with a primer layer or back treatment layer for improved convenience.
In the cloth type, the base material is made of alternating warp and weft yarns, and although it is tough, it can be cut by hand from anywhere.
The film type has only warped threads as the base material and is flexible. However, since there are no weft threads, it is easy to write letters and has a smooth surface.
Although not limited to masking tapes, in order for the tape to stick to an object, it must get close to the object at the molecular level. It is said that objects adhere to each other because an electrical force acts between molecules, attracting them to each other. This force is called intermolecular force. And it is the adhesive that takes the place of this force.
Adhesives adhere by blending with uneven surfaces of solids as a substitute for liquids or substances similar to liquids. Therefore, it is important to select a tape (adhesive) that blends well with the adherend to which the tape will be applied.