How to properly prepare a surface before applying an adhesive material?
From the previous article you learnt how to prepare a surface before applying adhesive tapes. The surface should be dry, clean, and degreased. Today I will explain how to correctly apply an adhesive tape and what to pay attention to in order to achieve optimal adhesive strength while using adhesive tapes. 
PREVENTING OVERLOAD WHILE APPLYING TAPES
While planning how to apply a tape, you should avoid point loads. Shear loads and breaking loads should be distributed evenly on the surface an adhesive material will be used on.
WHAT TEMPERATURE SHOULD ADHESIVE TAPE BE APPLIED IN?
Most factories that make adhesive tapes give the range of application of between +10⁰C and +35⁰C. However, the optimal range for the application of adhesive tapes is between +18⁰C and +35⁰C. In case of applying tape in temperatures that fall outside the given range, adhesion decreases.
WHAT TEMPERATURE SHOULD THE BONDED ELEMENTS BE?
The bonded elements or surfaces should also be within the given range and – and this is important – they should be similar in temperature to each other. This way, we will avoid secondary dampness (for example as a result of bringing cold elements into warm rooms). Materials stored in conditions other than normal (room temperature, 50-70% humidity) should be moved to a room which meets the above conditions several hours before applying an adhesive material.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO APPLY TAPES IN SUB-ZERO TEMPERATURES?
Yes, tapes can be applied in sub-zero temperatures, but in this case you have to be careful. It is possible only with some tapes. If you need to glue something in a temperature below 0, I suggest informing the salesperson about it beforehand or carefully reading the product description. Here at EPAT, we have a few products that can be applied in sub-zero temperatures. 2TR1022 – double-sided adhesive transfer tape (adhesive membrane) with reinforcement 1TB1022 – tape for membranes and roof membranes 1TC1022 – tape for membranes and roof membranes
WHAT DO I DO IF A TAPE CANNOT BE APPLIED IN WINTER?
Of course, you can look for a tape which offers such an option, but tapes of that type are usually much more expensive and not easily available. Suppose that it snowed and you did not manage to apply non-slip tape onto the stairs in time. What do you do? After you clear the snow, I suggest heating up the surface with a torch, a heat gun, or a hairdryer, then cleaning and degreasing the surface. Then heat up the surface again and proceed to apply the tape. 
WHAT SHOULD THE PROCESS OF APPLYING TAPE LOOK LIKE?
- Once the cleaning and priming agents are completely dry, the tape should be evenly applied while being at the same time pressed down. This way, the air between the tape and the surface will be removed.
- Then, press the tape evenly to the surface. You can do it with your hands, a pressure roller, or a press with the normal force of 1-1,5 kg/cm2.
- Depending on the properties of the surface and the type of the tape used, full adhesion strength is achieved after 24h or 72h.
I hope that I answered for you the question of how to correctly apply adhesive tape. If you have additional questions, do not hesitate to write to us or call us. See you in the next article! Grzegorz Prątnicki
