liner tape is a product that is used to attach a backing material to the inside of the mold cavity of an injection molded part. It is typically a type of vinyl or nylon cloth tape, which is installed on an existing surface and then applied with a rubber roller device. The liner tape provides reinforcement for the supporting surface, preventing deformation and providing better dimensional accuracy than could otherwise be achieved without it. Liner tapes are commonly used in injection molded parts with less strenuous cycles as well as in low-cost production runs.
Uses of liner tape
- Liner tape is typically used to reinforce the inside of the mold cavity to prevent warping or other distortions in the molded part. It is also used on very difficult surfaces to improve dimensional accuracy.
- It is also used in a variety of situations where precision is important such as parts with complex features, or parts that require fuel injection or other high sensitivity applications.
- The liner tape can be made in a range of sizes and thicknesses depending upon the application specifications, ranging from 0.003 inches (0.076mm) up to 0.050 inch (1,27mm) wide, and with widths up to 20 feet (6096mm).
- Extensive use of liner tape in engineering is seen in the aerospace industry, where it is used in the manufacture of aircraft parts and high performance engines. In these applications, the liner tape is often installed during final assembly to ensure minimal warping during flight test or other stress tests.
- Liner tapes are also used for aerospace fuel injection pumps, where an air-baffle material must be installed to prevent air leakage out through a narrow passage through the center of the pump and without any resulting distortion inside the mold cavity. Air-baffle liners are also sometimes used in other high performance applications, such as marine propulsion systems or liquid piston engines.
- In addition to aerospace, liner tapes are also used in marine applications, including a liner tape that has been designed for use on surface ship rudders and propellers. In this application, it is important that the liner tape be installed correctly and without air embolisms which could lead to rudder instability.
- Liner tapes have also been used in disc drives, particularly the smaller 3.5″ (9cm) variety of laptop disk drives where a less rigid backing material is necessary to avoid damage to adjoining components inside the drive case while allowing a thin profile for easy insertion into the case during manufacture. The typical thickness of this type of liner tape is approximately 0.007 inches (0.18mm).
- Liner tapes have also been used in the manufacture of golf balls, particularly in the manufacture of putting and pitching golf balls.
- The term “liner tape” is also commonly used to refer to different types of adhesive tape that are used on other applications such as doors, windows, metal sheets or plate covers and roofing tiles.
- A liner tape used by the French cosmetics industry is occasionally called a décolletage tape (or décolletage liner), as seen in this advertisement: “The Saint-Laurent Décolletage Liner Tape is double-sided for use on every area of the body. It gives a fine compact finish for perfect shaping.