Unlike copper wire, copper foil tape is flexible and can be used for many applications. These include EMI shielding, RFI shielding, cable wrapping, and shielding of electronic components. The tape is also available in a variety of thicknesses, widths, and adhesives.
Copper foil tape is ideal for guitarists and other guitar enthusiasts because of its dual conductivity. This type of tape can easily be trimmed to line cavities, pickguards, or other spaces. It also provides high-performance radiation protection and strong stickiness for easy bonding. In addition, this tape is flame retardant and offers high temperature and solvent resistance.
Copper foil tapes are solderable, which means that they can be bonded with solder. This is advantageous for EMI/RFI shielding and other electrical conduction applications. It is also suitable for many other purposes, including coil applications and simple grounding. It can even be used for sensing applications.
The most common copper foil tape is the extra-thin type, which is lightweight and easy to handle. It can be purchased at most home improvement stores and electronics stores.
Typically, copper foil is soldered onto a paper liner. It is available in a variety of widths and is soldered to the liner with conductive or nonconductive adhesive. Some may be backed with acrylic or another conductive adhesive. The adhesive can be non-conductive, making it appropriate for use in non-electrical applications.
Aside from the above uses, copper tape has other useful applications in the electronic design industry. For example, it has been used for ultra-thin wiring, capacitive touch pads, and more. It has also been used to make frames for crafts projects. It is also used in stained glass window making, as well as for decorative accents.
Copper foil tape is often used in aerospace, general industrial, and medical applications. It is also a good choice for grounding systems, especially in spacecraft, as it provides a low contact resistance and corrosion-resistant coating.
Some copper tapes may be wrapped in a tin layer to protect them from the elements. Other types of copper tapes are coated with substances to help prevent patina. Patina is a natural process of copper that is harmless but will eventually wear off. It is usually removed with a soft cloth or a cleaning product for copper.
The adhesive used to adhere copper foil tape is usually an aggressive acrylic adhesive that forms a permanent bond with low surface energy materials. This makes it convenient for a variety of applications. Some foil tapes are made with a removable interlinear. This makes them very useful for electric cabinet shielding. It is available in a range of sizes and thicknesses.
Copper tape can be found at most hardware and gardening stores. It is also a popular product for electronics manufacturers, as it can be conductive. In addition to being used for EMI/RFI shielding, copper foil tape can be used for cable wrapping, slug repellant, or a variety of other applications.
