Insulating tape is a consumer product used in all kinds of electrical processes. It is used for electrical winding of wires and cables, when they are insulated.
It appeared in the middle of the twentieth century. The company ZM (Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing) was involved in the development of its creation. They decided to invent a self-adhesive insulation product based on polyvinyl chloride. But the developers faced many challenges. In particular, the main difficulty was that oily stains formed on the surface of the film, which destroyed all adhesive properties..
In 1946, the firm made the decision to use vinyl and rubber and received a product that is still in high demand today. In almost 70 years of various improvements and developments, the electrical tape has been modified 17 times and is produced from a diverse type of materials. Ultimately, a high-quality product was obtained, which is characterized by a number of useful qualities: adhesion, elasticity, excellent dielectric performance, resistance to all kinds of negative effects of weather conditions, to high humidity, chemicals, oil products.
Nowadays, a wide variety of electrical equipment requires a certain methodology in the production of installation and construction work where it is required to secure contacts or secure fixation. Also, each device and place of use implies a different approach to each category. There are many modifications of electrical tape:
Mica — used for insulating power cables and winding related equipment, it is heat-resistant and fireproof.
Glass cloth — holds up to 200 degrees Celsius, absorbs resins and varnishes.
Made of polyamide — garnish the canceled strength.
Epoxy — are distinguished by their flexibility, wear-resistant. Suitable up to 155 ° C.
And the most widely used PVC electrical insulating tape is made from PVC compound (categoryizolenta). On the one hand, an adhesive element made from a natural rubber coating is applied to it, all substances are non-toxic and have excellent protective characteristics. It is also divided into several types, but the main parameters are the same for all: does not support combustion, that is, self-extinguishing, adheres well and connects to planes, elastic when stretched, has water-repellent capabilities, is not subject to chemical attack and oils.