Uses for Butyl Tapes

Are you looking for an air-tight and mess-free sealing material that is also flexible and strong? There’s one adhesive that can do all these things – butyl tape. What is butyl tape?

Butyl tape is a pressure-sensitive adhesive tape from synthetic rubber. Its adhesive component is made of substances formulated in the lab and not from natural resins from the rubber tree. This tape is very sticky because rubber adhesives have a high initial tack. It can instantly adhere to most surfaces.

Uses for Butyl Tapes

Butyl tape is available in a variety of forms. They come with a great deal of versatility and this implies that they have applications in a wide range of industries. They are available in assorted thicknesses and widths, and with enviable properties in strength, durability, and resistance to elements. They are chemically inert, thus will not undergo any form of oxidation, and will, therefore remain permanently elastic. They don’t crack, and will also not degrade when exposed to ultraviolet rays of the sun. They stick well on surfaces such as wood, metal, plastic, concrete, marble, porcelain, and glass among others. With that said, here are some of the common applications of butyl tapes in various industries.

Butyl tape uses for glass

The use of butyl tapes for glass is from the fact that the tape is very effective in adhering to flat and ribbed surfaces as well as on slick panes. The best type of butyl tape for glass projects, however, is the double-sided one, rather than the normal ones used for glazing. Some of the common applications of this project on glass include:

Using it as a barrier when placing window panes into frames.

As insulation between glass and wood frame, hard plastic or metal.

Protecting the window from internal heat loss.

Application of butyl tape for roofing.

Butyl tape was created for use in the roofing industry. They are very effective in protecting the roofs from outdoor elements, and they also do a good job when it is time for repairs. For a long time, they have been the preferred solution for sealing seams and binding cracks and holes of small diameters that appear on roofs.

However, if you want to get great results with tape, prepare the surface adequately before the application. The surface should be smooth and free from any grit. This may necessitate the roof to be pressure-washed with a suitable solution of detergent and then dried by hand before the tape is applied. And though the tape can be a life and time saver, it does have its limits which you should know, so that you can determine the extent of application. For example, in the roofing industry, the tapes are ideal for applications in small areas. If they are applied over large surfaces, they may be susceptible to failure under harsh weather conditions which roofs are normally exposed to.

Ductwork application of butyl tape

Butyl tape also has a wide range of applications in the installation and repair of vents and ducts. Their major common use in this industry is concealing protruding metal ductwork that originates from inside a building. Such protrusions may normally lead to accidents if they are not well concealed.

The tapes are also used to conceal areas between walls and vents when they are applied the right way. In most cases, the spaces left between ducts and walls affect the aesthetics of the walls, and since not so much can be done with them, a lot of homeowners will just leave them exposed. However, butyl tape will not just conceal such ugly sights, but will also act as a barrier to stop air from coming in or out of the building. Additionally, the tapes will stop moisture from seeping into the structure and eventually into the entire wall.

Plumbing applications of butyl tape

If you know a thing or two about plumbing, then you know how handy it is for you to have a tape on standby to take care of those emergency leaks. However, not all tapes will be ideal for use on your pipes, and butyl tape is one of the best types you can rely on. In plumbing, the tapes are mainly used as temporary fixes to stop minor leaks. All you have to do is wrap an appropriate amount of tape around a leak while you assess the situation and decide whether or not to seek the services of a plumber. For better results, however, clean the leaking surface with a commercial cleaner or rubbing alcohol before applying the tape. This is because the tape adheres faster and stronger and cleaner surfaces.

Car part repair applications of butyl tape

Another name for butyl tape is dum-dum tape, and this is because it sometimes behaves like putty. Due to this property, it is a favorite method for mechanics and motorists for holding fuel lines up and sometimes away from the engine depending on the kind of repairs or maintenance being conducted. Still, in the automotive industry, the tapes are very effective in forming seals around frames of sunroofs. And in caravan manufacturing, butyl tapes are usually the preferred sealant between joints and the body works moldings and the outer skins, and in other areas where there may be fittings attached, that pierces the outer skins.

Heating and Ventilation

In addition to being immensely useful in the repair and installation of ductwork, butyl tape is also very useful in helping to improve the energy efficiency of the home. Because the duct is easy to use and doesn’t feature any solvents, its use is very common in sealing flanges on the various components of the heating and ventilation systems. Additionally, they not only prevent the loss of heat from the system but also stops any gain of heat through the pipes or insulations.

Applications in greenhouse manufacturing

The greenhouse environment demands that heat gain and heat loss be maintained so that ambient temperatures can be provided for the plants being grown. In as much as there are several ways through which heat can be lost from these structures, butyl tapes are very effective in sealing the framework and the glazing. This is one of the areas where most heat is normally lost from the greenhouses.

Finally, butyl tapes are also used in the aerospace industry. Since they can be subjected to temperatures of up to 150 degree Celsius and they won’t buckle, they are mostly preferred for making disposable sealants for use in the aerospace industry.