Q1. What happens if I leave 3M™ Performance Plus Duct Tape on longer than 6 months?
It will continue to hold very well indefinitely indoors. After 6 months, it is possible that you may start to see some residue when the tape is removed. That may vary depending on the surface, the temperature, humidity, and other conditions such as foot traffic.
Outdoors, 3M Performance Plus Duct Tape should hold very well for up to a year. After a time, the sunlight will begin to penetrate the backing and cause the adhesive to transfer and eventually dry up. This is common with conventional duct tape after only a short time.
Q2. Will it come off cleanly from everything?
We have tested it on more than 20 types of opaque surfaces. We tested at 40°F, 70°F, and 120°F.
There are some surfaces from which it does not remove cleanly, such as highly anodized aluminum (a very active surface) or EPDM rubber (rubber surfaces tend to hold on to rubber adhesives). There may be other surfaces from which you will not get clean removal. If clean removal is critical, we recommend testing the surface first.
Q3. What is an opaque surface?
Opaque surfaces are those that don't let light through. For instance, steel and wood are opaque surfaces. Glass or clear Lexan® plastic are not opaque surfaces; they are transparent or translucent. We recommend use on opaque surfaces only, because rubber adhesives are changed by their exposure to light. Typically, tape will not come up cleanly when the adhesive has seen light for a time.
Q4. Does "clean removal" mean it won't damage the surface?
"Clean removal" means that there will not be any visible adhesive residue left on the surface after the tape is removed. "No surface damage" means that the surface is not harmed by the application or removal of the duct tape.
Duct tape adhesive is designed to be very tacky and stick very well to most surfaces. When you apply duct tape to some surfaces such as wallboard, wallpaper, fresh paint or varnish, weathered finish, or weathered wood, the tape may adhere so well that part of the surface or the finish comes off with the tape.
If you are in doubt, we recommend testing the tape in a non-critical, or inconspicuous area or on a test panel.
Q5. What if there is residue on the surface? How can I clean it?
If you do get some residue, usually you will find it much easier to clean up than residue from conventional duct tape. It tends to remain soft rather than drying hard. 3M™ Citrus Base Industrial Cleaner is a great choice for removing any residue that might occur.
 Back to top
Q6. The tape sticks so well, how do I get it started to take it off?
Where it is practical, an easy way to get a good start is to fold the tape over on itself to leave a tab. This gives you something to hold onto when starting the removal and insures that it will come off in one piece.
If a tape tab is not practical, and the tape seems to be holding too tight, you can use a straight edge to get under the tape and get it started.
Q7. How is 3M Performance Plus Duct Tape 8979N different from 3M Performance Plus Duct Tape 8979?
The only difference is that 3M Performance Plus Duct Tape 8979N is tested by an independent laboratory to insure that it meets the low leachable halogen and sulfur levels required by nuclear regulating agencies.
We report the results on a certificate of compliance and include a copy in each case of 3M Performance Plus Duct Tape 8979N. The certificate lists the lot and date code. Customers can check the date code on the certificate against the date code on the core of each roll of 3M Performance Plus Duct Tape 8979N to be assured that they are using the correct tape.
Q8. What about chloride or halogen content for nuclear grade?
Usually when people ask this question they are talking about leachable halogens and sulfur. Leachable halogens (chloride, fluoride, bromide) and leachable sulfur content is <250 ppm (the allowable limit for the test) for 3M Performance Plus Duct Tape when tested according to MIL-STD-2041D.
Halogen and sulfur content are regulated for the nuclear industry. They are also of interest to metal fabricators who are concerned about corrosion. Each lot of 3M Performance Plus Duct Tape 8979N is tested to insure that it meets these low limits. A copy of the certificate of analysis is included in each carton.
Q9. It gets really hot here; will 3M Performance Plus Duct Tape still come off cleanly?
Our testing was done on stainless steel panels in both Arizona and Florida. The test period included the month of July or an equivalent length of time to simulate the intensity of July heat and sun. (July in Arizona is the most intense heat and sun angle in the U.S.) We did get clean removal at those test conditions. However, because the edge of the tape is exposed, we did see an outline of the tape.
Even though you may not be in Arizona in July, you may have more severe conditions such as a more active surface than stainless steel, a surface that does not dissipate heat, or you may be using a bake cycle in your process. Conditions such as these may cause some adhesive residue on removal.
Q10. Will it stick in cold?
If you apply the tape at 50°F or above before exposing it to the cold, it will stick very well.
3M Performance Plus Duct Tape, like other tapes on a roll, is made with pressure sensitive adhesive. This means that you have to apply pressure to the tape to get it to stick. In some sense, applying pressure is a way of warming the adhesive and allowing it to flow more easily into the surface texture.
When either the tape or the surface is cold when it is applied, you may need to use extra pressure or rub over the tape several more times to get a good bond. If both the tape and the surface are cold, it is more difficult to get them to bond.
Back to top
Q11. Will it stick to wet surfaces?
Like other conventional duct tapes and pressure sensitive tapes in general, it is difficult to get 3M Performance Plus Duct Tape to stick to a wet surface. The most promising strategy is to dry the surface as much as possible and apply the tape with as much pressure as possible to squeeze out the water at the interface.
Q12. Will it hold underwater?
If the tape is applied to a dry surface and has bonded well, it will hold underwater for a time because the backing is waterproof. However, adhesive is exposed to water at the tape edge. Over time, water will seep in at the edge and cause the tape to let loose. Because the water has compromised the integrity of the tape, you may also see adhesive transfer on removal.
Q13. What UL standards does it meet?
3M™ Performance Plus Duct Tape meets the requirements of UL723 which rates the relative flame spread. For example, the flame spread index of red oak flooring is set at 100 and cement board is set at 0. To meet UL723 (also NFPA 255, ANSI 2.5, and UBC 8-1(42-1)), the flame spread index must be 25 or less and smoke developed index must be 50 or less. 3M Performance Plus Duct Tapes, 8979 and 8979N, have a Flame Spread Index of 5 and a Smoke Developed Index of 0 when tested according to ASTM E84-01. 3M Performance Plus Duct Tape does not meet UL181 A-P or UL181 B-FX.
Q14. Is it flame retardant?
Probably not. We have not added chemicals to make 3M Performance Plus Duct Tape 8979 or 8979N flame retardant, and have not tested for flame retardancy. If a customer has an interest, please contact us with the specification that defines flame retardancy for them.
Q15. Can you write on it?
Absolutely. Like most duct tapes, the backing will accept both ballpoint pen and marker. Marker ink may smudge until it has a few seconds to dry.
Back to top
Q16. What is the shelf life?
3M Performance Plus Duct Tapes 8979 and 8979N can be used up to 12 months after the date of manufacture when stored under normal conditions of 60° to 80°F (16° to 27°C) and 40 to 60% R.H. in the original carton. The month and year of manufacture is stamped inside the core of each roll.
Q17. What colors are available?
3M™ Performance Plus Duct Tape 8979 is available in slate blue, olive, and black. 3M Performance Plus Duct Tape 8979N is available in slate blue and red.
Q18. Are custom widths available?
Currently, 24mm, 48mm, 72mm, 96mm, 144mm, 12" and 22" widths are available for slate blue 8979; and 48mm, 72mm and 144mm for 3M Performance Plus Duct Tape 8979N (nuclear grade).
Q19. Who can I call if I have more questions?
For technical help or sales information, please call the 3M Customer Response Center at 800-362-3550 or contact us by email.
Back to top
For printable (PDF) versions of 3M™ Performance Plus Duct Tape product literature, please see:
Lexan is a registered trademark of General Electric.
|
