What is duct tape used for?
Duct tape is the general repair tape. Its published uses are repairs, sealing, binding and crafting, and it was originally developed for quick repairs on military equipment, a job that demanded a tape that worked immediately, outdoors, on whatever surface was in front of the user.
That heritage explains the construction. A cloth backing gives strength and lets the tape be torn straight by hand, so no cutting tool is needed. A waterproof polyethylene coating over the cloth keeps water out of the weave.
Its durability and resistance to water make it useful for both indoor and outdoor applications, and it is available in a range of colours beyond the traditional silver. Related bundling and packaging tapes from the group are listed at LKJ® specialty tapes.
Why does duct tape have a cloth backing?
The cloth carries the load. A plain film tape stretches and then splits when pulled hard, whereas a woven cloth scrim spreads the load across the whole width of the tape.
The weave also controls how the tape tears. Duct tape tears straight across by hand because the yarns give a line for the tear to follow, which is why it can be used one-handed, up a ladder, with no knife.
The polyethylene coating on top is what turns a cloth tape into a waterproof one. Without it the cloth would take up water and the tape would not last outdoors.
Can duct tape be used outdoors?
Yes. Its durability and resistance to water make it useful for both indoor and outdoor applications. The waterproof polyethylene coating is the reason: water sits on the coating rather than soaking into the cloth backing underneath.
It sticks to various surfaces, which is what makes it the tape people reach for when the surface is unknown or awkward, a repair rarely happens on a clean, flat, well-specified substrate.
Tell us the widths, colours and quantities you need when you enquire and the requirement will be quoted.