Aluminum Foil Tape | Uses For Foil Tape | HVAC

Combine the versatility of aluminum and the weather-resistant sealing power of adhesive tape, and you have an extremely versatile product ' aluminum foil tape.

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Foil tape is so versatile that it is widely used in all kinds of industries, from manufacturing to construction.

Thanks to its moisture and chemical resistance, thermal conductivity, flame resistance, heat and light reflectance, and weatherability' it makes for a tape that has a wide range of applications.

What is Foil Tape, Exactly?

Aluminum foil was first available in , and commercial production in the U.S. started in . Prized for its protective qualities and attractive appearance in containers and packaging, it was widely used in World War II to protect packages, electrical capacitors, and insulation. After the war, it became available for commercial use.

Foil tapes use a specially-engineered metal-foil backing which contributes to the tape's malleable, conductive, and rugged characteristics. Foil tape carriers include aluminum, aluminum with glass, lead, copper, copper with tin plating, and steel.

That said, when it comes to building and construction, aluminum foil tape is the most widely used foil tape. All told, here at ECHOtape, we engineered our foil tapes to have all the qualities of aluminum with the added benefit of an aggressive and long-lasting adhesive.

Why Choose ECHOtape Aluminum Foil Tape?

Here are the top five reasons why our foil tape has become a best seller with so many of our customers:

1. UL 723 rated and meets International Building Code standards.

UL 723 is a test to measure the surface burning properties of building materials. In particular, it looks at the rate of flame spread and the density of smoke developed. To meet the International Building Code's definition of fire-resistant, a composite material must have a flame spread rating no higher than 50.

ECHOTape's foil tapes are UL723 certified, which is worth noting because not all cloth-backed duct tapes or foil tapes are UL 723 rated.

2. Extreme cold and heat temperature versatility.

Our foil tape works in temperatures ranging from 248°F to -22°F and can be applied in temperatures ranging from 14°F to 104°F. Most tapes do not perform well in cold temperatures. Severe cold hardens the adhesive and diminishes sticking power of the tape. If you are applying the tape under cold conditions, it may not stick at all. Conversely, excessive heat can melt the adhesive on some tapes, rendering it useless.

3. Made with an acrylic adhesive.

ECHOtape's all-weather aluminum foil tape is coated with a superior performance flame-retardant solvent acrylic adhesive, working equally well in extreme hot and cold weather conditions.

Why does this matter?

Well, most duct tapes are made with a rubber adhesive, which is known to delaminate from its backing in high-temperature applications. Other synthetic rubber adhesives may offer a greater range of temperature functionality, but they also have lower mechanical strength, weak aging resistance, and do not fare well under UV light. By creating a foil tape with an acrylic adhesive, we've achieved superior durability and longevity once they cure and stick to a surface.

4. A great alternative to mastic.

Our aluminum foil tape products are not messy (the biggest drawback of mastic), and they use less equipment (no need for old clothes, eye protection, gloves, paint brushes, drop cloths, etc.) It doesn't need additional fasteners such as sheet metal screws, scrap metal, and drywall mesh to seal large areas and it can be used to seal holes in a furnace or air handler.

5. Able to hold up over time.

In construction, pressure-sensitive tapes are often used in areas that are concealed (like housewraps or foil-faced insulation). Which means they cannot be easily repaired or replaced. Due to its acrylic adhesive technology, aluminum foil tape offers better cohesion, adhesion, and thermal stability than a tape with a rubber adhesive.

To put it another way, ECHOtape's line of foil tape products are designed to hold up to temperature fluctuations, exposure to UV light and other solvents that would typically impact and breakdown the adhesive effectiveness of different types of tape, making them the ideal choice for both construction and industrial applications.

How to Insulate and Seal HVAC Ducts: An Example of a Foil Tape Application

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 'In typical houses, about 20% of the air that moves through the duct system is lost due to leaks, holes, and poorly connected ducts. The result is higher utility bills and difficulty keeping the house comfortable, no matter how the thermostat is set.'

Like a leaky faucet that slowly and steadily wastes water, your HVAC system's ducts can prove a sure place to lose dollars, waste energy, and sacrifice air quality.  Insulating ducts with insulation can help with this issue, and ensuring the insulation is sealed well is the place to use foil tape.

Follow these steps to insulate and seal ducts with aluminum foil tape:

1. Inspect all the ducts for holes and to ensure seams between the ducts and joints are tight. Seal any leaks/breaches with foil tape.
2. Consult with the insulation manufacturer's instruction on how to measure the length of insulation required so it will encircle each duct well and neither be too tight so it compresses the duct nor too loose so it is ineffective.
3. For an excellent fit, you can trim away about 2 inches of the insulation from the backing to fashion a flap that can overlap the end of the wrapped piece and provide a smooth surface on which to place the tape.
4. Wrap the insulation around each duct, allowing the vapor barrier backing to face out.
5. Carefully seal every seam with the foil tape.
6. Continue along the length of each duct, ensuring that every roll of insulation is securely taped to the adjacent strip of insulation.
7. Besides cost savings and system efficiency, air quality is improved when an HVAC system works as designed. A home's duct system, once compromised, can serve as a transport method to disperse particles like dust which can easily exacerbate respiratory and allergy conditions.

Furthermore, we believe it's  a good idea to inspect your ductwork periodically, especially in the following scenarios:

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• After an installer or repair person has worked in your attic. A simple misstep can cause duct damage. Even an accidentally dropped tool may create a small hole that can add up to significant energy loss. (A foil tape patch will save the day!)
• If you are upgrading your air conditioning system and don't wish to spend the money to have the ductwork replaced, an inspection and a little foil tape can go a long way to more reliable ductwork for an optimally functioning and energy-efficient system. The most highly rated HVAC units are nothing without adequately sealed ducts.
• If you are seeing an unsubstantiated rise (one not the result of a provider's cost increase) in your utility bills
• If specific spaces or rooms seem difficult to heat or cool

Sealing and insulating your ductwork will go a long way to an economical, better climate controlled, and cleaner environment.

At ECHOtape, we offer a full range of specialty tapes that can work in all kinds of circumstances, like the aluminum foil tape solutions listed above.

To learn more about adhesive tape, refer to our Technical Guide to Adhesive Tape. Or, contact the ECHOtape team with your tape request if you want help determining which product is best for your particular project.

When selecting aluminum foil tape, there are a few factors to consider to ensure you choose the appropriate type for your specific application.

Here are some key points to keep in mind:

Adhesive Type: 

Aluminum foil tapes are available with different adhesive types:

• Synthetic rubber resin adhesive, Also named Hot melt adhesive
• Water-based acrylic adhesive
• Solvent-based acrylic adhesive

Synthetic rubber resin adhesive offer good adhesion to a variety of surfaces and are suitable for general-purpose applications. Acrylic adhesive provide a stronger bond and better heat resistance, making them more suitable for high-temperature applications like HVAC systems.

Thickness:

Aluminum foil tapes come in varying thicknesses, typically ranging from 18um to 150um. But the actual common thickness is up to 50um. The thicker the aluminum foil is, the higher the tensile strength of the tape becomes.

But the thicker the foil, the more expensive it is. We usually use reinforced foil to increase its tensile strength but not much production costs.

Reinforced foil tapes include'

• FSK tape
• Aluminum foil glass cloth tape
• Foil scrim tape
• PET laminated foil tape

Heat Resistance or cold weather:

If you are working with high-temperature applications, ensure that the aluminum foil tape you select is designed to withstand the temperatures involved. Silicone adhesive is great for extreme temperature applications since silicone adhesive can work in continuous operating temperatures from -100°F to 500°F. They also exhibit good chemical resistance, retain electrical properties, and remove cleanly with little or no residue. But it's price is more expensive than other adhesives.

If you are working with cold weather conditions, there is a special Solvent acrylic adhesive is designed to withstand the low temperatures. It will be good performance aggressive cold weather acrylic adhesive. Provides long-term anchorage and strong cohesive bond for long-term durability.

Reflectivity:

If the reflective properties of the tape are important for your application, check the specifications or product description for information on its reflectivity. Higher reflectivity can help in heat shielding and insulation applications.

But sometimes we need to decorate the indoor air duct with black, white, brown aluminum foil tape. These different colors of Aluminum foil tape allow the ducts hidden into the surrounding environment to avoid uncomfortable visual effects.

Application:

Seal any seam and joint of air conditioner ducts

Air Conditioner Aluminum Foil Tape seal range hoods vent joint seams. Seal the duct work on a kitchen vent as duct installation and sealing. Stick on the inside of the stove top panel as glass panel explosion-proof tape.

Seal range hoods vent joint seams

Range Hood Aluminum foil tape for duct work of uses, including general repair, sealing hot and cold air ducts, duct insulation systems, sealing aluminum, stainless and plastic seams / joints, temporary repair of metal surfaces, copper pipe fixing.

Wrap refrigeration tubes, channels or thermal exchange

Refrigerator factory used Self-Wound Aluminum foil tapes to wrapping tubes inside refrigeration. To attach tubes, channels or coils expanding the area of thermal exchange.

Self-wound aluminum foil tapes no liner don't need to tear off the release paper liner during use, reduce operation time. So most of Refrigerator factory use it.

Environmental Factors:

If your application will be exposed to outdoor or harsh environmental conditions, look for tapes that are designed to withstand UV exposure, moisture, and other elements. These tapes are typically labeled as weather-resistant or suitable for outdoor use.

Certifications and Standards:

In some industries or applications, specific certifications or standards may be required. For example, HVAC applications may require compliance with UL 181B-FX standards. Sometimes need UL 723 rated meets International Building Code standards Aluminum foil tape. Check for any necessary certifications or standards and ensure that the tape meets those requirements. It's also helpful to consult the manufacturer's guidelines and technical specifications for the specific aluminum foil tape you are considering. They can provide detailed information about the tape's properties, recommended applications, and any limitations.

By considering these factors, you can select the appropriate type of aluminum foil tape that matches your application requirements and ensures optimal performance.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Protective Film for Aluminum. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.