how good is silicone self fusing compression tape ?

[BarryT]

Is it really much better than rubber self amalgamating tape ?

 

[bluedragon]

Depends what you mean by rubber tape? The silicone product is a "rubber" and has been around since at least the 1960s. Other rubbers used include butyl rubber. The silicone tape is likely to be more high temperature stable. Why do you ask?

 

[BarryT]

There now seem to be 2 distinct products

traditional self amalgamating tape

and as I have described it silicone self fusing tape

for instance at Screwfix

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/34666/Seal...Tape-19mm-x-10m

and

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/89469/Seal...cone-Tape-White

the latter being more expensive and I was wondering if anyone knows if there is any significant benefit in the latter, incidentally sold also sold by Saltyjohn

 

[bluedragon]

Saltyjohn might be a good person to contact. He's on this forum. I do like his transparent version. Bit more pricey maybe, but it's useful to see what's happening underneath IMO.

 

[Salty John]

I can't tell from the description, but based on the fact that there is no separating membrane between the layers and it is in a 10m roll, the cheaper product is not a compression tape. It's probably an adhesive tape.
The other one looks to be a compression tape like Bandit, but you can't see what gauge it is and, of course, it's coloured. Bandit is a heavy gauge, clear silicone compression tape. When set it looks like silicone from a tube.

 

[BarryT]

Thanks for the suggestion on the difference. I was going to PM you, but got distracted onto something else.

If I get the chance this week I will call in to Screwfix and look at the tapes at the counter to see if there is a separating membrane.