Need Recommendations: QUALITY Self Amalgamating Tape

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Oubadah

676 posts

Ultimate Geek

#101164 25-Apr-2012 15:54

I don't know if anyone remembers, but a while ago I made a thread about problems I was having with self Amalgamating tape splitting for apparently no reason. link: http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=83&topicid=83848 (Unfortunately pic are gone). Heat seemed to be the most likely culprit, although I checked many times and the masthead amp connections never appeared to be that hot.

Anyway, those who said it was heat, I'm now certain that you were right as look in the picture below (excuse quality). I had some of it around a mic plug connected to my PC, and that plug was right next to the exhaust of a GTX 580 - plenty of heat, and the tape split on exactly the side that was facing it:

So now I need to find a self amalgamating tape that has decent longevity and resistance to heat. Any recommendations?

Johnk

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#615013 25-Apr-2012 16:53

I use the 3M tape, havnt seen it fall apart too much.
Could also try shrinking some heat shrink over the tape to protect?

Dratsab

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#615026 25-Apr-2012 17:21

+1 for 3M - have used it at work to seal cables/connectors and some of these have been through some rough times. Yet to see it fail.

In the pic you've posted, it looks like the tape is delaminating as much as anything else. So, a couple of questions:
- Did it get a really good stretch (ie made into around twice as long as it's normal state) before being wound?
- Did you give it any cure time before putting it next to that exhaust?

oxnsox

1923 posts

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#615053 25-Apr-2012 17:47

3M is good, In the past I have also used a Heat-shrink tape. You put it on like self amelg. then use a heat gun on it.
Purchased thru RS from memory.

And FWIW, I've also had heat-shrink split when it gets over hot on one side. Maybe wrap some foil tape over whatever solution you end up with, to spread the heat more evenly.

Oubadah

676 posts

Ultimate Geek

#615227 26-Apr-2012 00:20

Dratsab:

In the pic you've posted, it looks like the tape is delaminating as much as anything else. So, a couple of questions:
- Did it get a really good stretch (ie made into around twice as long as it's normal state) before being wound?

Yes.

Dratsab: - Did you give it any cure time before putting it next to that exhaust?

That particular one had been wound like that for several months and used in a low heat environment no problems, then as soon as I started using it with the GTX it split.

The ones in the mast head box lasted for a few weeks at least, but I'm not sure exactly when they split.

I used some on the connection to the actual aerial itself too. That install was about January 2011. Three weeks ago I noticed that it had just started splitting. Not as dramatic as the others though.

Where is a good (cheap) place to order the 3M?