Water-activated tape, also known as gummed paper tape or gummed tape, is a highly durable, eco-friendly packaging solution. Featuring a starch-based adhesive that activates when moistened, this tape is typically found on a strong kraft paper backing, making it an ideal choice for sealing boxes in various industries. What is Water-Activated Tape? Water-activated tape (WAT) is designed with a starch adhesive that bonds powerfully to corrugated boxes when wet, creating a tamper-evident seal. The standard width of this tape is 2.75 inches (7 cm), and its reinforced construction ensures it holds up well during shipping and handling, even on recycled or non-unitized cartons. Key Benefits of Water-Activated Tape 1. Strong, Tamper-Evident Seal: Once applied, the adhesive forms a secure, permanent bond with porous surfaces, making it resistant to tampering. If an attempt is made to peel it off, the tape shreds, providing a clear sign of tampering. 2. Eco-Friendly and Easy to Handle: Made from paper and starch adhesive, water-activated tape is environmentally friendly and perfect for hand applications without the need for cutting tools. 3. Wide Range of Applications: Suitable for sealing boxes in industries such as shipping, distribution, electronics, food and beverage, and pharmaceuticals. 4. Reliable in Various Environments: Performs well in typical shipping and storage conditions, especially when applied at room temperature. Why Choose Water-Activated Tape for Packaging? Water-activated tape is cost-effective, secure, and reduces waste thanks to coreless rolls that simplify roll changes. Unlike plastic tapes, this option enhances package integrity with a strong, durable seal that’s easy to apply and contributes to sustainable packaging practices. Industries Using Water-Activated Tape This tape is used widely in e-commerce, manufacturing, and logistics sectors where secure, tamper-evident packaging is critical. Its reliable performance makes it popular for food and beverage, medical, and general industrial applications. 

About Tape Adhesives: Three Common Types You Should Know Synthetic rubber, acrylic, and silicone are the three most common types of adhesives in industrial tapes. In real practice, adhesives have varied effects in different applications. Knowing each type’s characteristics can help business owners make the right decision.  Synthetic-rubber-based adhesives  Rubber is insulative, and water-resistant, having a certain stickiness and resilience in nature. With the material property of rubber, synthetic rubber adhesives grow their bond quickly but oxidize over time.  Having enough initial tack and flexibility at the same time, synthetic rubber adhesives are compatible with both rough surfaces and materials with low surface energy. When used in tape adhesives, synthetic rubber can be modified to leave no residue when peeled off from applied surfaces.  Whether for long-term applications or temporal sealing and bundling, synthetic rubber adhesives performs its advantages in filament tapes. Architecture Construction: Reinforcing formworks and fastening the scaffold during the construction. Interior Refurnishing: Self-adhesion of decoration articles, sealing foam window strips, wiring. Automotive: Securing wires, piping, and other equipment. Electrical Appliances: Temporal repair to the surface damage on electrical appliances.   Acrylic-based adhesives  Acrylic, a manufactured plastic created through the polymerization of methyl methacrylate, is highly transparent and resistant to UV and weathering. Acrylic adhesives can withstand a wide range of temperatures and harsh conditions. When used in tape adhesives, acrylic presents these advantages during application. Most acrylic tapes are water-based, but they can be modified to be oil-based.   Acrylic tapes usually take a while to develop their full bonding strength once applied. They show different advantages in various industries. Packaging: Carton sealing and bundling, with paper or plastic backings. Printable and toxic-free. Aerospace: Insulating the fire and adhesion of cabin panels. Medical: Used as medical tapes for their bio-compacity and resistance to certain chemicals. Solar Power: Frame bonding, mounting, and sealing during the assembly and installation of solar panels.   Silicone-based adhesives  Silicone, derived from silicon, is a synthetic polymer. It is highly resistant to water and moisture, ideal for waterproofing. Silicone adhesives have a lower initial tack but presents durability under different weather conditions and extreme temperatures. Unlike synthetic rubber and acrylic, silicone is insulative and biocompatible at the same time. However, when used for electric insulation, silicone adhesives are not as removable, while silicone offer even gentler and breathable bond on skin and wounds.    Silicone adhesives perform the advantages of both synthetic rub...

How to sort out suitable tapes for your business Tapes are common industrial supplies. Tape manufacturers provide various filament tapes for different sealing and bundling needs. Business owners might get lost in various tape brands and product names, however, choosing the right tape is not that difficult. Here we give a brief introduction to what to consider when selecting industrial tapes for manufacturing purposes. Adhesives Knowing the adhesives helps you sort out the most suitable filament tape solution. Tape adhesives are mostly acrylic or rubber-based, each with the properties of lightweight, non-toxic, water-resistant, and sticky, respectively. In general, acrylic-based tapes perform better on glass, foams, and acrylics themselves while rubber might better suit particular types of plastics and porous, flexible materials. Both acrylic tapes and rubber-based tapes work well on wood surfaces and carton sealing. More details about the tapes can be seen on our website to help you make the most cost-effective choice when buying tapes for your business. Elongation Elongation refers to tape’s ability to stretch or lengthen under tension before breaking, in other words, elongation means the maximum tension it can bear. Tapes with different levels of elongation serve varied applications. Low Elongation Tapes (3% - 7%) Low elongation tapes are mainly used for e-commerce packaging, HVAC systems and masking. High Elongation Tapes (15% and above) High elongation tapes are mainly used for heavy-duty packaging, surface protection, and electrical insulation. Most industrial tapes have the elongation ranging from 3% to 15%, which can meet the general purposes of sealing, strapping and bundling during the project. For areas might need higher elongation, especially construction site safety, Kingnode offer tapes with reinforced elongation up to 28%.   Initial tack Initial tack tells the level of immediate bonding strength when applied to the surface; however, it does not necessarily refer to tapes’ effectiveness during application. High initial tack means the tape adheres instantly with minimal effort, while low initial tack may require more pressure or time to develop a bond. Rubber-based adhesives and hot melt typically have high initial tack, while acrylic-based adhesives take time to develop their full strength. Kingnode offers a wide range of rubber-based filament tapes for industries that might require initial tack, including lithium batteries, cable strapping, furniture manufacturing, and aerospace. We also provide hot-melt flat-back paper tapes to secure storage from pilfering.     Environment Some tapes can withstand a wider range of temperatures while certain conditions like exposure to sunlight and moisture require specific properties from the tapes. In general, acrylic tapes are more suitable for long-term, outdoor uses, while rubber-based tapes favor short-term, indoor applications. In real practice,...

Rubber vs Acrylics: what is the difference Need long-lasting adhesion for your applications? Wondering which industrial tape you should choose? In this blog, detailed analytics will be given on 2 common ingredients of filament tape adhesives. Understanding the mechanisms of the bonding would help you figure out which tape may better suit your sealing purpose.   What is Acrylic Tape Acrylic tapes’ adhesive is formulated using acrylic polymers. By applying resin-based adhesives to backing materials like PET film, acrylic tapes develop their final strength and durability through the curling process. What is Synthetic-Rubber Tape Rubber-based tapes are mostly pressure-sensitive tapes and heat-activated tapes. Pressure-sensitive tapes are generally easy to use while the latter requires heat to activate its adhesion. Acrylic Tapes vs Synthetic-Rubber Tapes Regarding initial tack, rubber-based adhesives adhere better, but that does not mean they perform better in all circumstances. Acrylics and rubber are fundamentally different, as acrylics are water-activated unless modified to oil-activated components, while rubber is naturally soluble in oil. In some industries like printing, food, and beverage, which have a lot of exposure to people, acrylics would be a better choice for application, as a water-activated tape. In heavy industries like construction and electric appliances, rubber adhesives would be compatible for their resistance to moisture and insulation to electricity.  Why Use Acrylic Tape Light-weight sealing, especially those with a lot of contact with people, prefers acrylic tapes. Some kraft paper tape manufacturers like Kingnodes use acrylic adhesives as a water-activated alternative to starch adhesives. In addition to its lightweight, non-toxic, and recyclable properties, acrylic tapes withstand a wider range of temperatures compared to rubber-based tapes, making them ideal for conditions that are as cold as the inside of a refrigerator and sweltering as the top of a solar panel. Their resistance to UV radiation made them suitable for outdoor use at the same time. Why Use Synthetic-Rubber Tape Rubber-based tapes are less resistant to extreme temperatures and degrade under sunlight, but they have a stronger initial tack. Synthetic rubber adhesives adhere better to steel goods and they offer more flexibility to irregular surfaces. Rubber, performs better resilience and stretchability on a molecular basis, while in adhesives, it results in a quick, water-resistant bonding to metal and other surfaces, but decays in air. Compared to acrylic tapes, synthetic rubber tapes do not last long but they are less expensive. Choosing the Right Adhesive Tape Both materials have their benefits and shortcomings. In general, rubber-based tapes are more suitable for vibration, moisture, and metals while acrylic tapes last longer and are more durable under various conditions. Both materials are suitable for the packaging and logistics...

Bridging the Gaps: 5 Essential Uses of Industrial Tapes in Bridge Construction Durable filament tapes have become an essential tool for construction teams, offering a reliable and efficient solution. In bridge construction, safety is a top priority not only for the builders but also for maintaining the integrity of surrounding highway infrastructures. To ensure safety both during and after construction, workers require high-tensile-strength tapes that provide dependable reinforcement. Below are five key applications where filament tapes are crucial in bridge construction. Securing temporary support structures and cable bundling For bridge builders, temporary support structures such as scaffolding, formwork, and shoring systems are essential for holding up components like beams, decks, and girders until the permanent structure is complete. Filament tapes, known for their high tensile strength and durability, play a critical role in securing these supports. These tapes are used to fasten protective coverings and bundle materials, ensuring stability throughout the construction phase. Filament tapes provide reliable reinforcement and prevent removal and displacement of the frameworks, maintaining construction site safety. Their ability to withstand extreme conditions makes them ideal for handling the heavy loads and dynamic forces present during bridge assembly. Another challenge during the construction is tensioning large-span cables. With suitable strapping tape workers can go through the pulling process smoothly. Pavement Marking Highways connect modern amenities across different areas and sometimes improve the efficiency of urban traffic. Meanwhile, for traffic instructions, signals and markings have to be made to make the construction noticeable to passengers. To guide both the crowd and the construction works in the right direction, we need to put up critical markings with tapes that are durable and visible in all weather conditions. Waterproofing and Joint Sealing As proper bundling to formwork and shoring systems is essential during the progress, we also need to be mindful of water damage to secure the bridge's main body. To avoid costly repairs and structural failures afterward, we need to ensure that the concrete doesn’t absorb water while expansion joints are properly covered. Waterproofing is a process to prevent water infiltration to the bridge’s filling of steel and concrete, and joint sealing prevents water from seeping into the substructure or foundation. Water, as we all know, freezes in cold weather and gradually crosses the structure. Tight sealing can function as a waterproof protection on materials. Vibration Damping Filament tapes are invented to accommodate various environments during the application, while in bridge construction, the projects face another extreme condition in addition to climate and load, which is the immeasurable noise on highways. Bridges, particularly those over highways or in urb...

For Carton Box-Sealing: A Guide to Choose Kraft Paper Tapes In the e-commerce industry, kraft paper tapes are mainly used to replace filament tapes for carton sealing. Kraft paper gives the packaging a neat and professional look when delivered to the doorsteps. The most widely accepted reason for applying degradable kraft paper tapes is its recyclability, especially when used on a large scale. However, on cartons, kraft paper tapes can perform very differently by type. Here are a few kinds of Kingnode kraft paper tapes.  Flatback Tape Rubber-based adhesives are most commonly seen in pressure-sensitive tapes. As one of the variations of rubber, hot melt adhesives in paper tapes are ideal for applications requiring fast bonding and high adhesion, especially in packaging environments. Hot melt provides instant bonding strength for sealing boxes and cartons. Kingnode offers hot melt kraft paper tapes to secure supplies from pilfering. Among all kraft paper tapes, flatback tapes excel in their adhesion strength.   Gummed Tape Although their adhesion is not as strong as that of flatback tapes, gummed tapes form a biochemical bond with polar surfaces made from wood pulp. Composed of glucose units, the hydroxyl (–OH) groups in starch molecules can form hydrogen bonds with polar materials. On cartons, starch adhesives create a tight sealing, with a chemical bond that hardens over time. Compared to traditional backings such as PET and BOPP, kraft paper allows the application of starch-based adhesives, which have no harmful chemicals during exposure to people. Acrylics, when in water-activated condition, is another bio-degradable adhesion in kraft paper tapes. In wet, acrylics can be thinned by water while in dry, acrylics can absorb a small amount of moisture.  Reinforced Gummed Tape Kraft paper tapes are mostly reinforced by fiberglass, as fiberglass has a strong molecular structure and can enhance the tensile strength of the tape, especially when the adhesion is made from starch, which does not have the same level of molecular strength as synthetic adhesives. Reinforced gummed tapes have fiberglass reinforcement in addition to gummed tapes. 100% Degradable Reinforced Gummed Tape 100% degradable kraft paper tapes give an organic and chemical-free option for commercial case-sealing owing to their naturally made characteristics. Here we would like to mention that not all kraft paper tapes are degradable. Along with the fiberglass-reinforced kraft paper tapes, Kingnode offers plant-based yarn to replace synthetic reinforcements. Also functioning as a ‘spine’ to back up the tape, the yarns give extra resilience to endure force against the sealing during application. While kraft paper and starch components are derived from plants, plant-based yarns maintain a similar molecular structure to adhesive mediums.   Conclusion Kraft paper tapes are recyclable not just for its backing m...

Exploring Aerospace Tape Applications In the aerospace industry, safety is always the most critical concern. In high-altitude flight equipment, all components and materials must pass rigorous safety tests to ensure they can withstand immense pressure and extreme temperatures. JL3 is committed to providing safe and reliable aerospace-grade tapes that perform exceptionally well even in harsh environments. In this blog post, we will delve into the applications of aerospace tape and how it helps enhance aviation safety standards. Four Key Uses of Aerospace Tape In the evolving aerospace industry, aerospace tapes are used in a wide range of critical applications, from cable bundling and securing to fire retardant applications, all of which contribute to the overall safety and efficiency of aircraft operations.     Cable Bundling and Securing Cable bundling and securing is one of the most common functions of adhesive tapes, and from the perspective of aviation safety, it is extremely important.  The specialized materials used in aerospace tapes prevent cables and conduits from loosening or wearing out due to vibration or movement during flight, ensuring the reliability of the electrical system under various flight conditions. Insulation and Protection In the harsh environment of aerospace, the safety and reliability of electrical appliances need to be strictly guaranteed. Tape provides electrical insulation to prevent leakage, especially of high voltage cables and connectors. They also protect sensitive equipment and circuitry inside the aircraft from moisture, corrosion and mechanical damage, thereby maintaining the integrity and functionality of electrical systems. Sealing and Waterproofing Aircraft are subjected to enormous stress during flight, and over time, they experience varying degrees of wear and tear. Aerospace tapes are commonly used for sealing aircraft doors, windows, and body seams to prevent the ingress of water, air, or dust, thereby improving cabin sealing. These aerospace tapes can also be used for quick, on-site repairs to minor damage, providing an immediate solution that maintains the aircraft's structural integrity until more comprehensive maintenance can be performed.  Fire Retardancy in Aerospace Fire retardancy is critical to flight safety. Choose appropriate aerospace tape can play a key role in the fire. The specialized fire-retardant materials within aerospace tapes provide strong fire resistance, capable of slowing down the spread of flames, helping to control the fire, and reducing the production of smoke and toxic gases. This maximizes the safety of personnel and helps the crew to respond and take action more quickly. Choosing JL3 for Your Aerospace Tape Needs JL3 is an industry-leading manufacturer with years of experience specializing in the research, development, manufacturing, and sales of adhesive tapes. We offer high-quality aerospace adhesive tape solutions.   Our aeros...

4 Places Where Adhesive Tapes Are Used in Construction To handle different building materials, certain filament tapes might be needed for residential home builders during the home construction and refurbishment. In general, the manufacture of industrial tapes made the installation and restoration much easier when applied to the right materials. Here are 4 places we use tapes in constructs. Formwork Construction In concrete formwork construction, tape is used to secure and reinforce formwork structures, enhancing their stability and providing extra support to the concrete during the pouring and curing processes. Tapes can also help shield formwork from dust, dirt, and other contaminants that might affect the quality of the concrete or the formwork itself. For the long-term, proper bundling and strapping can make the removal easier once the concrete has cured while preventing concrete from leaking through gaps. Window and door sealing The sealing strips of windows and doors are commonly made of foam fabrics, rubber, and metals. For foam sealing, the double-sided filament tapes are ideal for self-adhesion in between the strips. JL3’s JLW-313 double sided filament tape is exclusively suitable for window & door sealing, as air-tight in-between the strips is ensured with synthetic rubber adhesion during use while the glassine paper releasing layer makes the tape easy to peel. Floor insulation Double-sided filament tapes are often used to bond flooring layers together. With good viscosity on rough surfaces, our JLW-323 is suitable for adhesion to the insulation layer of the floor. Floor insulation helps to reduce heat loss in cold weather and improves comfort. Meanwhile, adhesive tapes are more affordable than other means of gum floor insulation. Wiring& Piping When we re-furnish our homes, we may need to bundle and secure the interior wires. Our JLW-308 Special Tape is ideal for internal bundling and fixing with abrasion and moisture resistance. More types of filament tapes with PET backing are also suitable for neat organization and grouping of the cables, avoiding crossing. Alongside the cables and wiring, JL3 also provides adhesive tapes for surface protection. Our tapes can be used for quick repair of minor surface damage on household electrical appliances, such as cracks or scratches. Good insulation is guaranteed when applied, and therefore prevent electric leakage. For construction components made of steel, we have our JLT-698 for most restoration needs. It performs high strength and is suitable for bundling the wire rope of a bridge while performing well on steel bundling, preventing displacement. For pipe strapping, our JLT-5160 performs its advantage in its strength and flexibility. Its chemical fiber reinforcement enhanced its strength on a molecular scale, while the rubber-based adhesive is compatible on common piping materials such as synthetic rubber, plastics and&n...

How to Select Right Packaging Tape with Different Strength When it comes to industrial packaging, selecting the right tape can significantly impact both performance and cost-efficiency. With a broad spectrum of filament tapes available, understanding how to match tape features with your specific strength requirements is crucial for making a budget-conscious choice. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you navigate through the different types of industrial packaging tapes and select the most cost-effective option for the required strength. Light-Strength Packaging Tapes For packaging that requires a balance of performance and cost, light-strength packaging tapes are ideal. These tapes are designed to handle intermediate-strength packaging while being economical. For example, JL3s offers a range of filament tapes that are particularly suited for light to intermediate-strength applications. These tapes feature an elongation of 3% to 5%, which means they can stretch slightly to accommodate different sizes and shapes of packages without compromising their seal. JL3s’ light-strength tapes use rubber-based adhesives that provide good stickiness even in small amounts. The rubber adhesive is reinforced with glass fiber, which enhances its durability while maintaining flexibility—a crucial factor in ensuring that the tape adheres well to various surfaces without tearing easily. These tapes are available with plastic backings such as BOPP (Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene) and PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate). PET-backed tapes are often more cost-effective for lighter packages due to their adequate tensile strength, while BOPP-backed tapes offer slightly more durability and strength for packaging that demands a bit more resilience. Medium-Strength Packaging Tapes For medium-weight packaging, JL3s provides filament tapes that offer enhanced performance in terms of holding power and moisture resistance. For instance, the JLT-605 Single-Sided Mono Filament Tape is designed with PET film that provides chemical inertness, making it suitable for marine carton packaging and other damp environments. This tape excels in maintaining adhesion and strength even when exposed to moisture. Another option is the JLW-306 Special Tape, which features a mesh-like PET backing that improves resistance to abrasion. This tape is designed to withstand the rigors of handling and transportation while providing reliable sealing performance for medium-weight packages. Heavy-Duty Packaging Tapes When dealing with heavy loads, choosing a tape with superior strength and durability is essential. JL3s’ heavy-duty filament tapes are specifically engineered to handle demanding packaging applications. For example, the JLT-5160 Strong Tensile Single-Sided Chemical Fiber Mono Filament Tape is reinforced with chemical fibers to offer exceptional tensile strength and long-term holding power. This tape is ideal for securing ...