tesa has an extensive range of masking tapes which cover many applications including general purpose masking, wet painting, stencilling and sandblasting to high temperature masking applications such as powder coating and printed circuit board manufacture. Generally the nature of application of the paint or coating system and temperature at which dries or cures determines the required characteristics a masking tape, such as the type of paper backing used e.g. creped, flatback or filmic, as well as the adhesive. Rubber adhesives are primarily used but when temperatures reach above 160°C a silicon adhesive is required. For some applications such as sandblasting, temperature resistance isn’t a prerequisite. In this case a strong, thick backing which is resistant to an abrasive under high pressure is vital; but the masking tapes must also be able to be removed cleanly, without leaving residues and without damaging the substrate it is masking.