What Are the Advantages of Reinforced Aluminium Tape in Construction?

Do you work in construction, automotive, appliances, HVAC, or industrial manufacturing? Chances are you’ve used aluminium tape in your construction project before, and if you haven’t used it yet, you're missing out on reliable materials for sealing, insulating, and protective tasks.

Aluminium tape (or foil tape) is durable, heat resistant, and adheres strongly to a variety of surfaces. If you're sealing ductwork, wrapping insulation, shielding against moisture, or protecting components from high temperatures, aluminium tape offers consistent, long-lasting performance in tough environments.

This blog will talk about the advantages of aluminium tape for protecting, sealing, and insulating systems against heat, humidity, and more. Discover why aluminium tape should be a staple in your toolkit.

Reinforced Aluminium Tape vs. Traditional Duct Tape

Conventional aluminium foil tape used at home is affordable and can be used to protect surfaces against chemical and mechanical threats (and general-purpose repairs!), however, it isn’t always your best go-to. 

Reinforced aluminium tape is more advanced and “reinforced” by a backing material such as filament-reinforced composites, polyester, or non-woven fibre. Extra resistant to tearing and abrasion, it doubles as a great conductor for circuitry and EMI shielding.

Why else wouldn’t you invest in traditional aluminium foil tape? Although it uses an acrylic adhesive, it doesn’t hold up over longer periods, is more likely to tear, is a basic insulator and works for lighter-duty sealing.

Benefits of Reinforced Aluminium Tape

There isn’t one universal duct tape, so what do you use if you work in the construction space? 

It is pretty much heat-resistant

Engineered to handle extreme temperatures (and these temps change on short notice from minus zero to up to 150°C!), aluminium tape maintains adhesive strength and sealing properties even under this exposure. How can you use it?

• You can seal insulation panels around HVAC ductwork

• You can wrap heating pipes in industrial plants to improve energy efficiency 

• Thermal shielding for sensitive components in automotive assemblies

• Temperatures of certain materials are regulated, keeping items cool or warm without affecting the underlying material

It works as a moisture and vapour barrier

Creating a barrier against vapour, moisture, and specific chemicals, aluminium foil backing stops corrosion, condensation, and materials from degrading. Use the tape to:

• Seal joints in cold rooms and refrigeration systems

• Protect insulation on rooftops and external walls against humidity or rain

• Temporarily or permanently seal joints or cracks in panels, metal roofing, or panels

• Seal moisture around underground piping

• Applied to hard-to-bind surfaces such as plastics and silicone rubbers

It is more durable than regular tape

With its metallic structure, aluminium tape resists punctures and tearing (it is basically peel-resistant), drying and aging, UV radiation and chemical effects, and ultimately with properties that give it a longer service life. Apply the tape to these applications:

• Reinforce thermal insulation on marine vessels

• Weatherproof outdoor mechanical systems

• Protect solar panel installations from long-term exposure to the environment 

• Use for general repairs and patching, such as patching small holes or cracks in plastic, metal or insulation

Reinforced aluminium tape has a high tensile strength from reinforcement, such as fibreglass scrim or mesh. 

Conforms more easily to complex surfaces

Reinforced aluminium tape is flexible and adapts to irregular shapes, sharp edges, complex contours, and ensures a continuous seal without gaps or lifting. How can this be applied to your daily operations?

• Seal around HVAC fittings or flanges

• Insulate irregular pipework in industrial machinery

• Repair any damaged insulation on appliances
  

It is fire, UV and age resistant

Reinforced aluminium tapes comply with fire retardant standards as regulatory compliance is mandatory (and non-negotiable) with builds. 

• The tape protects building facades that can be exposed to sunlight 

• Supports fire-resistant sealing in aerospace and public transportation systems

• Finishes insulation in energy storage facilities and data centres

Here are some fast tips when applying these tapes to your construction project:

• Clean the surface. You want to remove oil, dust, and moisture before applying any tape!

• Use a roller so the tape is fully in contact. Air bubbles are removed more easily this way.

• Always check the temperature. Some tapes must be applied above a particular temperature.

• In some cases (such as air sealing), overlap the edges and press them down firmly.

MSTOR has a range of heat resistant tapes for both domestic and industrial use.

Why is it so important to convert aluminium tape (such as slitting or cutting)? Narrow widths for tight or complex sealing areas or pre-cut shapes to speed up insulation or assembly. 

For example, HVAC installation may need pre-slit aluminium tapes for duct sealing, or an automotive supplier may use custom tape formats for robotic assembly lines.

Read: What is Aluminium Tape Used For? A Comprehensive Guide!

Aluminium Foil Tapes at MSTOR

Let’s take a look at some aluminium tape at MSTOR.

VTACK™ Premium Acrylic Reinforced Aluminium Foil Tape

This is a premium aluminium foil laminated with an improved polyethylene mesh. It is coated with a high-strength, solvent-based, premium-grade aggressive acrylic adhesive and protected by an easy-peel release line. What are some of the features?

• Excellent weathering and ageing, and long-term reliability

• Condensation protection

• Conforms well to a variety of irregular surfaces

• High-performance tape designed for use as a vapour seal on aluminium-faced insulation products and sealing in HVAC ductwork applications

• Foil-PE Mesh backing provides excellent reflection of both heat and light

• High-quality adhesive with super-strong adhesion and holding power

• Conforms well to irregular surfaces

• A low moisture vapour transmission rate makes for an excellent vapour barrier

• Service temperature ranges from -30°C to +120°C

• Long-lasting acrylic adhesive on one side

• Excellent holding power and high load capability

• An easy unwind for fast application

Reinforced 2-way Foil Tape

This is a flexible foil that applies easily and is specially designed for sealing insulation joints and seams against moisture and vapour on PE mesh, aluminium and reinforced aluminium-faced insulation products. What are some of the features? 

• Excellent peel adhesion

• Superior Initial tack and permanent bonding

• High performance in both warm and cold weather

• Flexible and durable

• Conforms well to irregular surfaces

• Outstanding temperature and aging resistance

• Will not delaminate with age

• Good water and fire resistance

Seal insulation joints and seams against moisture and vapour on PE mesh aluminium and reinforced aluminium-faced insulation products.

Reinforced 3-Way 60 Foil Tape is a 60gsm aluminium foil and laminated with a 3-way polyethylene mesh and coated with a high-strength, solvent-based, aggressive acrylic adhesive and protected with an easy-to-peel release liner.

VTACK™ Premium Acrylic Plain Foil Tape

This is a 40u (micron) high-strength nominal soft aluminium foil with. A flexible foil, it is easy to apply to sheet metal and fibrous ducts and conforms well to many irregular services. Easy application and superior performance, it is durable for a range of demanding environments and temperatures. 

Suitable for permanent sealing, splicing, holding, or masking applications that need protection that is offered by a foil backing.

VTACK™ Premium Rubber Reinforced Aluminium Foil Tape

A premium foil with a high-strength coating, what is it designed for?

• A permanent vapour seal for reinforced aluminium-faced fibreglass 

• Mineral wool thermal insulation 

• Fibrous and sheet metal ducts

• FSK systems
  
  

VTACK™ Insulation Seaming Foil Tape 48mm x 50m

Why is this foil so great? It’s a premium grade Flexible Duct Closure Tape 80u (3.2mil) and manufactured using a metallised PET film with a thickened VTACK™ formula cold-weather solvent acrylic adhesive system!

For an easy application, the tape is produced as a hand-tearable and is much tougher than traditional duct tapes (but it’s still conformable). With a strong adhesion and holding power, it is ideal for sealing the joints or permeable wrap insulation. If you’re looking for carton/pallet quantities, MSTOR can help.

VTACK™ 45 Acrylic Plain Foil Tape

This tape consists of a 45 micron (1.8mil) high tensile strength aluminium foil backing with epoxy resin on the surface. What are some typical applications?

• The copper pipe fixing and heat-conducting heating system under the floor

• Sealing joints of aluminium sheet pipe, stainless steel pipe, or plastic pipe

• Other industrial uses need tape for these characteristics and benefits

If you work in the packaging industry and would like to learn more about how we can help, readhow to safely pack and ship electronics with anti-static foam.

Tape Suppliers for Australian Businesses: Bulk Order Online

Have you been searching around for foam suppliers in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, or Adelaide? MSTOR has tapes, foam, and plastic supplies that are customisable to suit businesses in automotive, insulation, medical, packaging, and more.

Whether you’re in need of tape slitting, foam cutting, laminating, or foam cut to size services, MSTOR has everything you need for your upcoming project. 

Contactus by emailing sales@mstor.com.au, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. 

Custom sizes and thicknesses are available on request! Allow 2-5 business days for orders to be fulfilled. Shipping is free on purchases over $150!