What Is a Polypropylene Tape?
Polypropylene tape is a string- or tape-like material made of polypropylene.
It is durable, strong, and does not stretch easily when pulled in the longitudinal direction, so it is mainly used for cardboard packing, packaging, and binding. In addition, polypropylene has excellent water resistance, making it suitable for indoor and outdoor use. In addition, it is a material with oil resistance and insulating properties.
Although polypropylene tape can also refer to adhesive tape in a broad sense, this article will focus specifically on string-shaped polypropylene tape.
Uses of Polypropylene Tapes
Polypropylene tape is a very commonly used product for temporary packaging and bundling. It is used as a string for packing and bundling various objects, such as packing cardboard boxes and bundling newspapers.
It is also used for bundling small items for agriculture, industrial goods, and moving, and is also useful as leisure goods, such as sporting goods and fishing tackle. Examples of its use in agriculture include securing posts together, wrapping agricultural equipment in blue sheets, and binding vegetables and other harvest items.
Features of Polypropylene Tapes
Polypropylene tape is available in a hollow wound form, called “Tamamaki String,” or in a tape-like wound form.
It does not absorb water or moisture, so it can be used in places where mold and fungus are not allowed.
Advantages
- High strength in the long fiber direction and excellent durability
- Lightweight and can be stored compactly
- Moderately flexible, so it can be used in a variety of shapes
- Excellent chemical resistance to acids and alkalis
- Water-resistant, with little deterioration due to humidity or rain
- Low cost, making it economical even when used in large quantities
Disadvantages
- Not suitable for use under high temperatures due to its low resistance to fire and heat
- Not suitable for long-term outdoor use due to degradation from ultraviolet rays
- Weak in the direction of short fibers and easily tears
- Lacks designability due to its string or tape-like structure
Types of Polypropylene Tapes
Polypropylene tape comes in several types of shapes, depending on the application. In common, they are lightweight, with widths ranging from 5mm to 50mm, and lengths varying from 100 to over 500m.
They are also available in white, pink, yellow, green, black, etc., and can be used for sorting.
1. Tape Type
Tape-type Polypropylene tape is made of polypropylene material processed into a flat tape and is suitable for various packing, binding, and agricultural uses. The wide type of polypropylene tape is best for bundling items with angular shapes such as wood. Black polypropylene tape is recommended for long-term outdoor use to delay deterioration.
2. Rope Type
Polypropylene tape is a type of PP Tape made of polypropylene material in rope form. The rope type is strong yet easy to tie and is suitable for binding posts and heavy objects.
3. Belt Type
This wide, belt-shaped polypropylene tape is used as a belt to secure luggage or as a handle belt for bags, etc. Belt-shaped polypropylene tape is manufactured in various weaving methods, such as plain weave, twill weave, bag binding weave, sheet weave, and barberry weave. Polypropylene tape is sold in a variety of sizes, ranging from 0.5 to 2.2 mm in thickness and 2 to 50 mm in width, and can be purchased cut to the desired length.
How to Select a Polypropylene Tape
When choosing polypropylene tape, it is important to select a shape that matches the intended use. You should also pay attention to strength, and choose a polypropylene tape with the appropriate strength for the weight of the package to be packed.
The most common colors of polypropylene tape are white, but color coding can be useful. For example, wrapping different colors of polypropylene tape around cardboard boxes and packages in each room where the moving items will be placed can improve work efficiency.
Other Information on Polypropylene Tapes
Cautions for Using Polypropylene Tapes
The edges of polypropylene tape can become frayed or loose, making it difficult to use.
However, be careful when using this method, as the entire tape will burn if it is seared for a long period.