The Advantages of Using Double-Sided Medical Tape

Attaching one substrate to another.

It shouldn’t be that difficult. And usually, it isn’t. Yet, when the application is a medical diagnostic device, for instance, things can get complicated.

Consider a device that attaches to a patient’s skin, a “wearable.” That adhesive system must be chosen wisely, with care given to how long it will be on the skin, how conformable it needs to be, what conditions it will encounter, and whether the adhesive needs to be medical grade (hint: it usually does; more on this later).

At Strouse, we’ve seen many types of medical adhesive tapes used for different applications. That’s why, we know material choices are ultimately based on which tape can meet your specific performance needs. 

Once you’ve learned more about double-sided medical tape, you’ll know whether it suits your project. 

The Advantages of Using Double-Sided Medical Tape

Knowing the application is “medical” doesn’t do much in helping you choose a specific tape. 

Applications have varied needs, and each one must be evaluated to ensure the medical tape meets versatility, efficiency, and overall quality requirements. Here are some things to consider:

• Adhesion: What does the tape need to stick to? What if there is sweat, hair, or blood?
• Easy to Tear: Unlike most cloth tapes, some medical tapes rip easily using only fingers.
• Removal: Does the adhesive make removing the tape painful to sensitive skin?
• Residue: Will the tape leave behind a sticky residue when removed? Is that OK in this application if the residue comes off after a few days of showering and activity?
• Waterproof: Will the tape stay on when submerged or just splashed?
• Pores: Some breathable medical tapes have a grid-like pattern of holes that let body fluids pass through them, and air can reach the skin underneath.
• Flexibility: Does the tape need to conform and flex with body movements? Think about putting it in hard-to-reach places: between fingers and toes, the palm, inside the armpit, etc.

Let’s explore the advantages of double-sided medical tape and how it’s capable of meeting these needs within your design. 

1. VERSATILITY

Double-sided medical tapes can create temporary or permanent bonds to many surfaces and substrates. 

Most commonly used in the medical, healthcare, and electronics industries, double-sided medical tapes are perfect solutions for devices and applications requiring direct skin adherence, such as wound care dressings and ostomy devices. Other applications include diagnostic devices, test strips, and medical device assembly.

Medical tapes are also versatile in their range of colors (or clear), thicknesses, and available backings.

2. STRENGTH

Although we’re focusing on medical tape in this article, double-sided tape is also used in industries as demanding as automotive, with tape replacing rivets and fasteners to bond panels together. That being said, the adhesion levels are adjusted as needed for medical applications (short- or long-term wear), ensuring that the tape can be gently removed from all skin types.

3. CONVERTER-FRIENDLY

The dimensional stability and construction of medical tape make it easy to convert to meet tight tolerances and create various die cut components.

Converters slit medical tape to custom widths and cut it into custom shapes. Whatever the assembly process (hand-applied or machine automation), finished components are available in the format that works best:

• Parts wound on a roll of liner
• Parts on sheets of liner
• Individual pieces with a liner on one or both sides

The best adhesive tape converters — full-service converters — take time to understand the adhesive tape’s function and the existing processes to determine what medical tape adhesive solutions work best. 

In addition, they often have a controlled environment (clean manufacturing room or ISO 7-certified cleanroom) in which the conversion of medical products happens.

4. VARIETY

Even within the medical industry, there’s a wide variety of materials that serve as double-sided medical tape. 

For instance, using a sensitive stick to skin tape on an elderly patient requires a much softer adhesive bond than a piece holding together the inner workings of a glucose monitor. 

Although there are many medical tapes available in the market, here are the some popular 3M double-sided medical tapes: 

• 3M™ 1509 Transparent Polyethylene Double-Sided Medical Tape
• 3M™ 1522 Double Coated Polyethylene Medical Tape
• 3M™ 9877 Double Coated Polyester Medical Tape

5. CLINICALLY TESTED 

For a tape to be considered “medical tape,” it needs to be “medical grade,” meaning it has passed clinical tests to be FDA-compliant for direct skin contact.

Medical tapes are biocompatible, meaning they meet ISO 10993-1:2018 standards for biocompatibility. In short, this testing determines the fitness of a medical device for human use and examines if it creates any physiological effects. Before biocompatibility testing, the manufacturer should understand the device materials, sterilization, and other processes.

Should You Use Double-Sided Medical Tape?

If you have a design or application which involves joining two surfaces, double-sided medical tape could be the best solution. 

In addition to the capabilities that help stick a device to the skin, a double-sided medical adhesive tape may help accomplish the following:

• Covering a device
• Holding device components together
• Moving fluid
• Delivering an active ingredient through the skin

–and many other medical joining applications.

So, what’s the next step? First, you’ll want to see your application and material options for converting below.

Next, you can see how double-sided tape functions so you can be more prepared during the product manufacturing process. 

Lastly, Strouse’s adhesive engineers approach each medical solution as its own unique product. Don’t hesitate to contact us with any additional questions!

Originally published: October 12, 2021