Is self-fusing silicone tape the same as electrical tape?
Materials and Structure
Self Fusing Silicone Tape
◆ Material: Made of silicone rubber (organic silicon) as the base material, with no glue on the surface, relying on self-adhesive properties for bonding.
◆ Structure: Usually single-layer silicone, soft and elastic, can tightly adhere to itself or the surface of objects after stretching.
Electrical Tape
◆ Material: Based on PVC (polyvinyl chloride), coated with pressure-sensitive adhesive (such as rubber or acrylic) on the back.
◆ Structure: Multi layer structure (some high-end models have tear resistant fiber layers), high hardness, and adhesive dependence.
| Characteristic | Self Fusing Silicone Tape | Electrical Tape |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature resistance | -60 ℃~200 ℃ (or even higher) |
-18 ℃~80 ℃
(easy to soften and glue overflow at high temperatures)
|
| Principle of viscosity | Physical self-adhesive (glue free), reusable | Chemical adhesive bonding, mainly disposable |
| Waterproof/sealing performance | Extremely strong, can be completely sealed | Generally, only moisture-proof |
| Chemical resistance | Resistant to oil, acid, alkali, and ultraviolet radiation | Generally, long-term exposure to chemicals may cause aging |
| Insulation resistance | Good (but pay attention to thickness) | Excellent (designed specifically for electrical insulation) |
| Residual adhesive risk | No glue, no residue | Possible adhesive residue after long-term use |
| Price | Higher | Low cost |
Typical application scenarios
Self Fusing Silicone Tape
◆ Sealed waterproof: Waterproof for pipeline interfaces, outdoor cable joints, and LED light strips.
◆ High temperature environment: motor winding wrapping, insulation of heating elements.
◆ No residual requirements: Temporary fixation of precision instruments, protection of automotive wiring harnesses.
Electrical Tape
◆ Electrical insulation: insulation of wire joints and circuit maintenance.
◆ Binding and fixing: organize cables, mark colors (such as black/red/yellow/green, etc.).
◆ Daily protection: Temporary repair of damaged wire sheaths.
Can they replace each other?
Alternative situations:
◆ Simple insulation or bundling in low temperature and dry environments (but silicone tape is expensive and uneconomical).
◆ Temporary waterproofing requirements (limited effectiveness of electrical tape).
Irreplaceable situation:
◆ Silicon tape must be used in high-temperature environments (such as inside electric heaters).
◆ Long term sealing and waterproofing (such as underground cable joints) require silicone tape or specialized waterproof tape.
◆ Silicon tape is preferred for environments with strong chemical corrosion.
Selection suggestions
◆ Choose Self Fusing Silicone Tape : If high temperature resistance, complete waterproofing, no residue or repeated use are required.
◆ Choose electrical tape: ordinary circuit insulation, low-cost bundling, or short-term protection.