Have you ever experienced staining, reduced performance or adhesive failure and thought the tape you were using just wasn’t strong enough? Well, that might be the case, but it is also possible that the substrate for your tape application contained plasticizers, and the chosen tape was not suitable for the application.

A plasticizer is a substance added to materials to increase flexibility, durability, and handling. These plasticizers are commonly found in certain plastics, rubbers, and other materials.

When a substrate contains plasticizers, it can often react with the adhesive system and cause bond failure or visual imperfections. Bubbles and other visual issues are typical when plasticizers are present.

If you know the substrate you are working with contains plasticizers, you will want to ensure the tape being used has plasticizer-resistant properties. Double sided tapes such as Killer Red® or Golden Bond® are excellent options for those types of surfaces and ensure a secure bond for long-term applications where adhesive failure is not an option.

Plasticizers can be a concern in any type of adhesive application that involves plastic, rubber, and other similar materials. Asking the right questions and understanding the substrates is key to determining the best material for the job!