What is Silicone Tape?

Silicone tape is a remarkable feat of chemical engineering that has resulted in a long lasting and highly durable protective tape. Made from cured silicone rubber, silicone tape typically contains a thin layer of silicone gel to make the product self fusing, which forms a permanent bond around whatever it is applied to. This quality has led to a number of alternate names for silicone tape, including self amalgamating tape, self vulcanizing tape, and silicone gel tape. The tape forms the bond when stretched and wrapped around an object and, depending on the specific brand and how it is used, will self fuse within minutes or a few hours. Another feature of silicone tape is the inclusion of polydimethylsiloxane in the gel, which contains zinc oxide. This material is added to act as a UV inhibitor. This means that the tape is resistant to ultraviolet radiation from natural sunlight, which often contributes to the degradation of ordinary tape. It is also resistant to other environmental ...  more