Thermal, Plasma & Flame Spray
Tapes

Masking products for thermal spray, plasma spray and flame spray have different requirements than other metal finishing masking. Some products that may work in some situations are not suitable at all for others.

thermal spray and media blasting tape

Tapes

Thermal spray tapes have much different requirements than most metal finishing masking. As such, there is a range of products available.

Fiberglass or metal foil tapes

Glass cloth is generally one of the least expensive tapes that is suitable for thermal spray and plasma spray applications. Also, several thicknesses of aluminum foil tapes are available, though several layers may be required for either glass cloth or aluminum foil tapes, depending on the masking need and spray. In those cases, though more expensive per inch of width, multi-layer tapes may be more cost-effective long term.

Fiberglass laminated with metal foil tapes

Thermal spray and plasma spray masking applications can benefit from both aluminum/glass cloth layered tapes. Designed to withstand harsher thermal spray, plasma spray and flame spray conditions, these two-material tapes last longer and are thicker for better spray resistance.

Multi-layer thermal spray tapes

Aluminum/silicone/glass cloth multi-layered tapes are the ultimate in thermal / plasma / flame spray protection when it comes to flexible products. All of these tapes have a pressure sensitive adhesive system, which allows for greater adhesion when tape is allowed to sit over time if the tape's adhesive is activated with pressure when applied. They are made from layers of various materials, including fiberglass cloth, a metal foil layer bonded together with a thick, silicone rubber. While there is not tape that fully withstands the thermal spray process completely, these multi-layer tapes last the longest. As a result, they may even be the most cost-effective despite their price, because fewer layers are required which minimizes labor costs.

Click here for thermal, plasma and flame spray tapes

Viadon's thermal and plasma spray tapes are 'a cut above' many competitor's tapes, because they are American-Made. The one or two-day trip from manufacturer to our dock ensures fresh, USA-quality tape that will last up to 12 months without degrading in effectiveness. Just store on end in a cool, humidity-controlled location for best shelf life.

Caps and Plugs

Silicone and EPDM caps and plugs are not designed to withstand direct flame spray applications. In situations where indirect contact or general plugs or caps may be needed to protect areas or components not in the direct line of a thermal / plasma / flame spray application, our standard caps and plugs may be useful.

Thermal Spray (indirect) Caps & Plugs

Viadon slits tape to width in-house, and die cuts masking tape disks to size, and offers custom-shapes die cutting as well.

See the video below to watch these processes in action with green polyester tape, along with how Viadon slits the tape to width, die cuts it to size, and how you can get the most out of it when applying it to parts.

Quick, informative video about Green Polyester Tape and its uses for masking during powder coating, anodizing, plating, and e-coating. Demonstrates the benefits of American-made green polyester tape.

Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Cross-Section View

Pressure sensitive adhesive graphic

A cross-section representation of pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) tape systems. Pressure must be applied to these tapes to increase adhesion, as the adhesive is activated with pressure and flows over time. The microscopic crevices the exists even on very smooth surfaces allow the adhesive to "grab" the surface even better after 24 hours from application.

The majority of Viadon's tape line utilize PSA's. Not all processes require a waiting period before use, but thermal spray and plasma spray may benefit from masking parts, waiting at least 12 to 24 hours, then beginning the metal finishing process. Also note that the tape adhesion is enhanced when applied to clean parts.

Thermal, Plasma & Flame Spray Tapes