What Is the Glue in Masking Tape?
Masking tape is commonly found in many households. Typically, masking tape is made of treated tissue, known as crepe paper, and a rubber adhesive. Does this Spark an idea?
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Facts
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Rubber is used to coat one side of the paper tape to create stickiness. Today, a synthetic rubber made from polychloroprene may be used instead.
Features
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Natural rubber is made from the sap of hevea trees. Rubber is used as adhesive for masking tape because it provides stickiness without pulling off existing paint when it's removed promptly and doesn't leave a residue if removed immediately after use. Originally made from the sap of hevea trees, rubber is also created synthetically.
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History
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Two-toned car painting was popular, but problematic when Richard Drew invented masking tape in 1925. Masking tape was invented by Richard Drew in 1925 while he was working for 3M. Drew invented masking tape specifically to help automobile painters paint in two tones. The tape needed to stick well enough to create a definite line between two paint tones, but also needed to be easy to remove.
Modern Uses
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Masking tape can be used to make an inexpensive label. Today, masking tape is used for interior and exterior house painting as well as automobile painting. Thrifty families also use it as an inexpensive way to label food items for the freezer, school supplies and homemade items.
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References
- Photo Credit Roll of parcel tape image by Scott Latham from Fotolia.com hevea, cambodge image by J-F Perigois from Fotolia.com old car image by Vladislav Gajic from Fotolia.com card image by tholi75 from Fotolia.com
