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Adhesives for masking and removable tapes
A masking tape is a removable tape: it must grab at light pressure, hold while the work is done and then come away without tearing the surface. Our removable ADCRYL™ grades run from low-peel, high-tack masking grades to a low-tack two-pack grade, for paper masking tapes, removable film tapes and carpet protection tape.
What matters
What makes a good masking adhesive?
A masking tape has to grab at light pressure, hold while the work is done and then come away without tearing the surface underneath. That is a low peel with a high tack.
Why does a removable tape still need shear?
Removable does not mean weak. A masking tape on a vertical surface or a bend must not creep, so a removable grade still needs shear: AP 553's datasheet gives more than 1500 hours.
How firmly should a masking tape hold?
AP 250R is specified at 250–300 g/inch on paper and AP 553 at 500–600 g/inch. The same adhesive reads differently on paper and on film, so ask for values on your own backing.
Rubber or acrylic: which suits your tape?
We also make solvent rubber PSAs for removable and application tapes. Acrylic grades age better; rubber grades grab faster on some surfaces. Ask us which suits your tape.
What are the typical values?
| Grade | 180° peel | Loop tack | Shear | Solids |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP 1062 | 700 ± 10% gf/25 mm | 600 – 800 gf/inch | > 4 h | 36 ± 2% |
| AP 1252RTwo-pack | 1100 ± 10% gf/25 mm | 900 – 1100 gf/inch | > 150 h | 53 ± 2% |
| AP 250R | 150 ± 30 gf/25 mm | 120 – 160 gf/inch | > 1500 h | 30 ± 2% |
| AP 553 | 250 ± 10% gf/25 mm | 300 – 400 gf/inch | > 1500 h | 53 ± 2% |
| AP 107Two-pack | 90 – 150 gf/25 mm | 200 – 300 gf/inch | — | 30 ± 2% |
We measured these values in our own laboratory according to PSTC methods: 180° peel on stainless steel, with the adhesive coated on 25 µm PET at 25 ± 2 gsm. Shear is printed as a minimum.
Which grade does what?
- AP 250R: Low peel, high tack, high shear; for paper masking and removable tapes. Specified at 250–300 g/inch on paper.
- AP 553: Single-pack, self-crosslinking; low peel, high tack and good removability. Specified at 500–600 g/inch on paper.
- AP 107: Two-pack; for low-tack removable tapes.
- AP 1062: High cohesive strength; for removable tapes and liner-less filmic tapes.
- AP 1252R: Two-pack, high tack; for carpet protection removable tape.
Substrates
Which grades suit masking and removable tapes?
Advance Adhesives Private Limited, a manufacturer of adhesives in Belagavi, India, since 1995, makes five grades for masking and removable tapes: AP 1062, AP 1252R, AP 250R, AP 553 and AP 107. They are made for paper masking tapes, including washi paper, low-tack removable tapes, removable film tapes and carpet protection tape. The grades are used on paper, including washi paper, PET and PP films, LDPE, synthetic fabrics and foils. We measured peel, tack and shear in our own laboratory according to PSTC methods, with the adhesive coated on 25 µm PET at 25 ± 2 gsm. A masking tape has to grab at light pressure, hold while the work is done and then come away without tearing the surface underneath. That is a low peel with a high tack. Datasheets, safety data sheets, samples and quotations are available from the Advance Adhesives sales team.
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