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Empire Product Selection Guide
BACKINGS
CHARACTERISTICS
Paper
Crepe
Conformable, easy tear
Flatback
Strong, smooth, good for straight line masking
Kraft
Strong, some versions are repulpable
Tissue
Thin, porous to allow adhesive penetration of sheet
Plastic
Polyester
Strong even when thin, chemical resistant, high
temperature resistance
Polypropylene
Resistant to most solvents, conformable, tear resistant
Polyethylene
Conformable, easy to stretch, chemical/acid/moisture
resistant, economical
Polyethylene / Polypropylene Co-polymer
Conformable, chemical/acid/moisture resistant
UHMW - Polyethylene
High abrasion resistance, low coefficient of friction, anti-
stick surface easy to clean
Polyvinyl Chloride (Vinyl)
Conformable, abrasion resistant, resistant to most
chemicals
Polyimide
High temperature resistance, excellent dimensional
stability, good insulation properties
Polyamide (Nylon)
High temperature resistance, high strength and
toughness, good chemical resistance but can absorb
moisture
Polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE)
Low coefficient of friction, excellent high temperature
and chemical resistance, anti-stick/release properties
Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)
Water-soluble, organic solvent resistant, high
temperature resistance
Polyurethane
Abrasion/scratch resistant, impact/puncture resistant,
UV and corrosion resistant
Polyvinyl Fluoride
Excellent weather resistance, excellent long-term UV
resistance, thin yet stiff feel
Cloth
Cotton
Strong, easy tear by hand, soft and drapable
Glass Cloth
Strong, high temperature resistance, flame-resistant
Polyethylene Coated
Strong yet hand-tearable, abrasion resistant, water-
resistant, conformable
Non-Woven
Fibre
Air permeable, strong enough to hold expanding foams
Metals
Aluminum
Heat and light reflective, moisture and chemical
resistant, flame-resistant, outdoor weather resistant,
conformable.
Lead
Electrically conductive, acid resistant, high
conformability, x-ray opacity
Rubber
Neoprene
Abrasion resistant, die-cuttable
Combination (Laminates)
Paper / Polyethylene
Weather and chemical resistant, hand tearable, stretch
resistant
Metalised / Polyester
Reflective, decorative
Glass Cloth / PTFE
High temperature resistance, high strength
Glass Cloth / Aluminum
Very high temperature resistance, high strength
Non-Woven / Aluminum
High heat and cold resistance
Empire Tapes Backing Materials
In many applications, Empire backings add a second surface that affects how the underlying surface
relates to the environment. To optimize that relationship, Empire backings offer a wide choice of
performance and handling characteristics.
