Not all surfaces are created equal, and neither are adhesive tapes. Choosing the right tape for your application isn’t just about strength or thickness — it’s about matching the adhesive to the surface you’re working with.
That means understanding surface energy, which is a property of every material. To achieve a reliable, long-lasting bond, you want to make sure you’re matching tape adhesion to the surface.
This is where we can help. In this guide, we’ll walk you through:
- What surface energy is
- How surface energy affects tape performance
- Which tapes to use for low surface energy materials
- Which tapes to use for high surface energy materials
- Expert tips for tape selection
As always, if you have any questions or need any advice, our expert team is here to help. Contact us today.
What is surface energy?
Surface energy describes how well a material attracts adhesive.
- High surface energy = Easy for adhesive to spread and bond
- Low surface energy = Harder for adhesive to stick
How surface energy affects tape performance
Adhesives need to ‘wet out’ or flow across the surface to create maximum contact. The higher the surface energy, the better this happens.
|
Surface Energy Level |
Adhesive Performance |
|---|---|
|
High Surface Energy |
Easy, strong bond with standard adhesives |
|
Low Surface Energy |
Poor bond unless using a specially formulated adhesive |
When bonding to difficult surfaces (like plastics), standard tapes often fail because they can’t form enough contact with the material.
The best tapes for low surface energy materials
Common low surface energy (LSE) materials include:
- Polyethylene (PE)
- Polystyrene
- Polypropylene (PPP)
- PVC
- Acrylic
Best tape for low surface energy surfaces
For these difficult-to-stick materials, we recommend our High Bond Foam (HBF) LSE adhesive range, which is specially engineered for maximum bond strength without primers.
|
Product |
Best For |
|---|---|
| HBF 5608 LSE Black High Bond Foam Tape (0.80mm thickness) |
Automotive mouldings and trims |
|
HBF 5805 LSE ERL Clear High Bond Foam Tape (0.50mm thickness) |
General LSE bonding |
| HBF 5810 LSE ERL Clear High Bond Foam Tape (1.00mm thickness) |
Signage and display |
|
HBF 5911 LSE ERL High Temp Grey High Bond Foam Tape (1.10mm thickness) |
Powder coating and high-heat environments |
Tip: Always test before use — even within LSE materials, surface condition can vary.
The best tapes for high surface energy materials
Common high surface energy (HSE) materials include:
- Aluminium
- Anodised aluminium
- Copper
- Glass
- Stainless steel
For HSE materials, standard double-sided acrylic foam tapes from our HBF range will generally provide excellent adhesion.
We offer a wide range of tapes suited for:
- Metal fabrication
- Glass bonding
- General industrial use
Expert Tips for Tape Selection
- Always match the tape to surface energy first. (This includes delicate or irregular surfaces.)
- Clean the surface to remove oils or dust before applying the tape.
- Test before large-scale application.
- Consider temperature resistance and environmental factors.
For a detailed comparison of our HBF range, see our HBF Application Guide.
Remember, each requirement is unique so testing and selection is critical to obtain peak performance.
If you’d like advice on which type of adhesive tape to choose, you can always contact one of our adhesive tape experts. We’re happy to help you with product selection and tailored advice.