Description
This Foil Tape is a 48mm x 30m roll of adhesive aluminium priced at $26.99. It tolerates temperatures to 300C, it is waterproof and flame retardant, and it seals ducting, insulation joints and pipework where ordinary cloth tape would soften, dry out and let go.
The distinction from duct tape matters more than the similar name suggests. Cloth-backed duct tape has a rubber adhesive that hardens and releases within a year or two, especially near heat, which is why it is banned from actual ductwork in most codes. Foil tape uses an acrylic adhesive on an aluminium carrier and stays put.
Specifications
| Width |
48mm |
| Length |
30m |
| Backing |
Aluminium foil |
| Temperature tolerance |
Up to 300C |
| Water resistance |
Waterproof |
| Flammability |
Flame retardant |
| Adhesive |
Strong, pressure sensitive |
What's in the Box
| Aluminium foil tape roll |
1 |
Why Foil Rather Than Cloth Tape
-
Survives heat - to 300C, where cloth tape adhesive fails within months
-
Reflects radiant heat - the foil face bounces heat rather than absorbing it
-
Genuinely waterproof - foil is not porous, unlike a cloth backing
-
Flame retardant - appropriate near flues, exhausts and heaters
-
Conforms and stays - foil moulds around a curve and holds that shape
What Does Foil Tape Do That Duct Tape Cannot?
Three things. It holds at temperatures that destroy rubber adhesive. It provides a continuous metal vapour barrier, so it seals rather than just covering. And it reflects radiant heat instead of absorbing it, which is the reason it is used on insulation facings and heat shields. Cloth duct tape is a good temporary fix for almost anything and a poor permanent fix for any of these.
Does Foil Tape Block Interference?
It provides RF and EMI shielding, which is a real and useful property - a continuous conductive layer attenuates radio-frequency interference, which is why foil tape turns up in audio, automotive and electronics work for shielding cable runs and enclosures. To be clear about what it does not do: it offers no meaningful protection against ionising radiation, despite what some product listings claim. For shielding to work properly the foil needs continuity across joints and usually a path to earth.
How Do You Get a Good Bond?
Surface preparation does almost all of the work. Wipe the surface clean and dry - dust, oil and condensation are what cause a foil tape joint to lift a month later. Apply firm even pressure along the whole length, ideally with a squeegee or the back of a gloved thumb, because acrylic adhesive builds strength under pressure rather than on contact. Overlap joins by at least 25mm. And apply at a reasonable temperature; sticking foil tape to a freezing surface rarely ends well.
Buyers are sealing air conditioning and heating ducting, insulating hot water pipes, repairing flues and exhausts, doing automotive heat shielding, and EMI shielding for audio and electronics.
See Tools & Hardware, Automotive, or Home & Garden.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much tape is on the roll?
48mm wide, 30 metres long.
What temperature will it take?
Up to 300C.
Is it the same as duct tape?
No. Duct tape is cloth with rubber adhesive and fails near heat. This is aluminium with a heat-stable adhesive.
Can I use it on a car exhaust?
It is used for heat shielding, but an exhaust pipe itself runs far hotter than 300C at the manifold end. Use it on shields and surrounding surfaces, not as an exhaust repair.
Does it block radio interference?
It provides RF and EMI shielding when applied continuously. It does not shield ionising radiation.
Will it stick to a cold surface?
Poorly. Apply at moderate temperature to a clean, dry surface.
Can I paint over it?
Not reliably. Most paints do not adhere well to bare aluminium without an etch primer.
Fast Australian Shipping
Dispatched from Australia to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Canberra and Darwin, with regional and remote addresses handled through the standard Australia Post network.
Measurements are approximate. Screen colours vary between devices. The cut edges of foil tape are sharp - handle with care. This tape is not a repair for a damaged flue, gas appliance or exhaust system; those require a qualified tradesperson. Do not use as a substitute for correct electrical insulation.
