Industrial Tape

Choosing the right industrial tape: grades explained

The primary selection criterion is the direction of stress on your load. If stress is primarily lengthways, along a bundle or strap, monofilament is sufficient. If stress is multi-directional, pallet movement, rough transit handling, or irregular shapes that flex, the cross weave grade is correct.

RAJA Cross Woven Filament Tape

Polypropylene backing with bi-directional glass fibre reinforcement. Artificial hot melt rubber. 140 micron. Over 30kg. 25mm, 48mm, 75mm. 50m. 0°C to 60°C. Dispenser only. Transparent.

RAJA Mono Filament Tape

Polypropylene backing with lengthways glass fibre reinforcement. Artificial hot melt rubber. 110 micron. Over 30kg. 25mm, 48mm. 50m. 15°C to 60°C. Dispenser only. White.

Scotch 3M Cross Woven Filament Tape

Clear PP film backing with bi-directional glass filaments. Pressure sensitive hot melt solvent-free adhesive. 145 micron. 50mm and 75mm. 50m. Heavy duty carton reinforcement and export strapping. Dispenser only. Clear.

Waterproof Cloth Tape

Cotton cloth backing. 50mm width. 50m. For moisture-exposed and outdoor applications. Hand-tear.

RAJA Cross Woven Filament Tape, bi-directional strapping and pallet stabilisation

The strongest tape in the RAJA industrial range. Cross weave glass fibre threads run in two directions across the 140 micron polypropylene backing, distributing tensile stress bi-directionally. This prevents the lateral splitting and torsional failure that the monofilament grade shows when a palletised load shifts during transit or when bundling irregular shapes that apply stress across multiple axes.

• Available in 25mm, 48mm, and 75mm, the only industrial tape in the RAJA range offered in 75mm
• 50m rolls on 76mm core, compatible with standard pistol-grip dispensers
• Artificial hot melt rubber adhesive, immediate aggressive tack on PE stretch wrap, corrugated board, and rigid substrates
• Temperature range 0°C to 60°C, suitable for chilled warehouses and cool despatch environments
• Over 30kg rated across all three widths
• Shelf life 12–24 months under correct storage (15–25°C, max 65% RH, horizontal, away from direct sunlight)
• Dispenser required, glass fibre reinforcement prevents hand-tear

View RAJA Cross Woven Filament Tape.

RAJA Mono Filament Tape, lengthways bundling and lighter strapping tasks

A lighter specification at 110 micron with glass fibre threads running lengthways only. Provides strong longitudinal tensile resistance for bundling and strapping where the load stress is primarily directional, securing bundles of pipe, conduit, or extrusion profiles; closing heavy bags; or providing additional lengthways reinforcement on carton seams.

• Available in 25mm and 48mm widths on 76mm core
• 50m rolls, same length per roll
• Artificial hot melt rubber adhesive, bonds on contact without pressure dwell
• Temperature range 15°C to 60°C, suited to consistently ambient environments only
• Over 30kg rated for lengthways load stress
• Shelf life 12–24 months under correct storage conditions
• Dispenser required, will not hand-tear

Where bi-directional stress resistance is required, pallet stabilisation, rough handling, or loads subject to torsional movement in transit, upgrading to the cross weave grade is the right call. View RAJA Mono Filament Tape.

Scotch 3M Cross Woven Filament Tape, premium specification for demanding and export applications

The 3M Scotch cross woven tape is the premium option in the range at 145 micron, the heaviest construction available. It uses a clear polypropylene film backing reinforced with bi-directional glass filaments and a pressure sensitive hot melt solvent-free adhesive. Where specifications require a named brand, export documentation calls for a recognised adhesive tape standard, or the application demands the maximum available tensile resistance, this is the correct grade.

• 145 micron, the heaviest construction in the RAJA range
• Available in 50mm and 75mm widths on 50m rolls
• Bi-directional glass filament reinforcement, same construction as RAJA PDT00976 at a heavier profile
• Pressure sensitive hot melt solvent-free adhesive, bonds immediately to corrugated board, PE film, and rigid substrates
• 3M Scotch brand, suitable where a named adhesive tape specification is required
• Clear finish, transparent over labelling and printed surfaces
• Dispenser required, glass fibre reinforcement prevents hand-tear

For standard pallet stabilisation and bundling at volume, RAJA cross weave (PDT00976) is the more economical choice and is available in 25mm, 48mm, and 75mm. For the most demanding heavy-duty and export applications where maximum tensile resistance or 3M brand specification is required, Scotch 3M is the upgrade. View Scotch 3M Cross Woven Filament Tape.

Filament tape adhesive: artificial hot melt rubber

Both grades use artificial hot melt rubber adhesive, a synthetic formulation applied during manufacture that provides immediate, aggressive tack on contact with polypropylene film, PE stretch wrap, corrugated board, and most rigid industrial substrates.

Performance on low-surface-energy substrates

The primary advantage of artificial hot melt rubber over acrylic adhesive in industrial strapping applications is its initial tack on low-surface-energy materials, particularly polyethylene stretch wrap and polypropylene film, which acrylic adhesive struggles to bond to without a dwell period. On a pallet stabilisation station where the tape must grip immediately before the load is moved, that rapid adhesion is operationally critical.

• Bonds immediately on contact to PE stretch wrap, PP film, corrugated board, metal, and wood
• No pressure dwell period required, hold is achieved on first contact
• Sustains bond under sustained load stress and transit vibration
• Cross weave rated 0°C to 60°C; monofilament rated 15°C to 60°C
• Not for surfaces above 60°C or prolonged UV exposure, adhesive softens above the rated maximum and degrades under direct sunlight

Storage requirements

Artificial hot melt rubber is more temperature-sensitive in storage than acrylic alternatives. Rolls stored above 25°C can experience adhesive softening and migration, reducing tack consistency across the roll width before the shelf life date. Store at 15–25°C away from radiators, south-facing windows, and loading bay doors. Shelf life is 12–24 months. Date-stamp incoming stock and rotate first-in, first-out.

Industrial tape for every operation type

Pallet stabilisation and load unitisation

Cross weave tape is the primary specification for securing palletised loads where stretch wrap alone is insufficient, heavy mixed-product pallets, unstable loads, and shipments subject to rough multi-modal handling. Applied as a cross-strap over the pallet and stretch wrap, the bi-directional fibre construction prevents load shift under lateral and torsional stress that stretch film cannot resist without reinforcement.

• Apply the tape over stretch wrap, not directly to unprotected product
• Two runs in a cross pattern at load mid-height is the standard method for pallet stabilisation
• 75mm width maximises surface contact on wide pallet top boards
• Artificial hot melt rubber adhesive bonds immediately to PE stretch wrap without a dwell period

Bundling pipes, profiles, and extrusions

Both grades are used for bundling elongated industrial materials, steel tube, plastic conduit, aluminium extrusion, timber lengths, where multiple pieces must be secured into a single handleable unit for storage or transit. The monofilament grade is sufficient for straight bundles where stress is lengthways only. The heavier grade is correct where the bundle is subject to flex, torsion, or handling stress across its length.

• 25mm width provides a compact, high-strength strap on tight bundle circumferences
• Apply at minimum two points, ends and mid-point, for bundles over 1.5m in length
• Artificial hot melt rubber bonds directly to metal, plastic, and wood without primer

Heavy carton seam reinforcement

A run of cross weave tape across a sealed carton seam provides supplementary reinforcement on export shipments, palletised despatch, and heavy cartons subject to rough transit handling. For primary carton sealing on cartons over 30kg, self-adhesive reinforced paper tape or heavy duty polypropylene tape is the correct primary seal, these tapes provide additional reinforcement, not a primary carton seal.

• Apply it perpendicular to the primary carton seal at the base seam
• 48mm width provides sufficient seam coverage on standard RSC carton base flaps
• Cross weave bi-directional construction resists both lengthways and lateral seam stress simultaneously

Closing and securing heavy-duty bags and sacks

The monofilament grade provides a secure closure on woven polypropylene sacks, paper multiwall bags, and heavy-duty plastic sacks where standard tape will not hold under the weight of the contents. The lengthways fibre construction provides tensile strength along the closure line without adding bulk to the bag neck.

• 25mm width, compact for bag neck closures without excess overhang
• Bonds directly to woven PP sack material and paper multiwall bags
• Dispenser required for consistent tension and clean cuts at volume

Moisture-exposed and outdoor applications

RAJA Waterproof Cloth Tape provides a conformable, hand-tearable option for wet conditions, outdoor environments, and surfaces exposed to rain or condensation. The cotton cloth backing conforms to uneven surfaces and tears cleanly by hand without a dispenser. Available in 50mm black, 50m rolls. The cross weave grade also maintains adhesive performance in cool, damp conditions down to 0°C, making it suitable for use over stretch-wrapped pallets in unheated loading bays.

Industrial tape FAQs

What is filament tape used for?

Filament tape is a polypropylene tape reinforced with embedded glass fibre threads used for strapping palletised loads, bundling pipes, profiles and irregular shapes, reinforcing heavy carton seams over 30kg, and securing goods in transit where standard packaging tape cannot hold under stress. The fibre reinforcement prevents hand-tearing, a 76mm dispenser is required for both RAJA grades. Artificial hot melt rubber adhesive bonds immediately to PE stretch wrap, corrugated board, metal, and most rigid industrial substrates, with no pressure dwell period required.

What is cross weave tape?

Cross weave tape has glass fibre threads embedded in two directions across the polypropylene backing, lengthways and across the width simultaneously. This bi-directional construction distributes tensile stress across both axes, giving it resistance to splitting, tearing, and torsional load from multiple directions. It is the stronger specification and the correct choice for pallet stabilisation, securing irregular loads, and any application where stress is applied in more than one direction. RAJA cross weave (PDT00976) is 140 micron, rated over 30kg, and available in 25mm, 48mm, and 75mm on 50m rolls with a 76mm core.

What is the difference between cross weave tape and monofilament tape?

The difference is in fibre direction and stress distribution. Monofilament tape has fibres running lengthways only, strong under longitudinal tension but vulnerable to lateral or torsional stress. Cross weave tape has fibres running in two directions, resisting stress from all directions simultaneously. Use monofilament for straight bundles of pipe or profile where load stress is lengthways. Use it for pallet stabilisation, mixed-load pallets, or any application where the load shifts or flexes in transit. At 140 micron it is heavier than monofilament at 110 micron, monofilament is more economical where bi-directional resistance is not required.

Does filament tape need a dispenser?

Yes, for both grades. The glass fibre reinforcement that gives these tapes their tensile strength also prevents clean hand-tearing, attempting it produces a ragged diagonal split along the filament lines, wasting tape and leaving an uneven edge. A pistol-grip dispenser with a 76mm core produces a clean, consistent cut on every application and maintains even tension across the tape width. Both grades use a 76mm core, compatible with standard tape dispensers already in use on most packing and despatch stations. See tape dispensers for compatible options.

What temperature range does filament tape work in?

Temperature performance varies between the two grades:

• Cross weave tape, 0°C to 60°C, suitable for chilled warehouses and cool outdoor despatch areas above freezing
• Monofilament tape, 15°C to 60°C, suited to consistently ambient environments only

For both, the substrate surface temperature is the relevant measurement, PE stretch wrap on a cold pallet can read below ambient air temperature. Bring loads to the minimum application temperature before taping in cool or variable-temperature environments.

What width of filament tape do I need?

Width selection is based on application geometry, not load weight, all widths carry the same over 30kg specification. Use 25mm for tight bundle circumferences on pipe, profile, and bag neck closures where a narrow, high-strength strap is needed. Use 48mm for carton seam reinforcement and pallet strapping where broader contact improves adhesion per run. Use 75mm, available on the cross weave grade only, for wide pallet top boards or large carton base flaps requiring single-pass coverage. Narrower widths deliver more linear metres per roll at the same unit cost, use the narrowest width that achieves full substrate contact for your application.

Can filament tape be used in cold environments?

The cross weave grade can be used down to approximately 0°C, making it suitable for chilled despatch and cool loading bays above freezing. The monofilament grade requires a minimum of 15°C at the substrate surface. Below 0°C, neither grade is recommended, consider cold-rated polypropylene strapping band as an alternative for sub-zero environments. In variable-temperature environments where temperatures drop below the minimum at any point in the shift, allow loads and substrates to reach the minimum application temperature before taping.

How should I store filament tape rolls?

Store rolls horizontally at 15–25°C with relative humidity below 65%, away from direct sunlight. Upright storage causes adhesive migration under gravity, producing variable tack across the roll width. Shelf life under correct conditions is 12–24 months, shorter than the 9-month shelf life of unreinforced paper tape grades, so forward stock purchasing should reflect actual usage rate. Artificial hot melt rubber is temperature-sensitive: rolls stored above 25°C can show reduced initial tack before the stated shelf life date. Mark incoming stock with receipt date and rotate first-in, first-out.

What is the difference between RAJA cross weave filament tape and 3M Scotch cross woven filament tape?

Both use bi-directional glass fibre reinforcement on a polypropylene backing with hot melt adhesive, the same construction at slightly different specifications. RAJA cross weave tape (PDT00976) is 140 micron and available in 25mm, 48mm, and 75mm, the 25mm width makes it the most versatile option for tight bundle circumferences, bag neck closures, and operations using a single tape across varied bundling tasks. The 3M grade (PDT02260) is 145 micron and available in 50mm and 75mm. The 3M grade is the correct specification where maximum tensile resistance is required, where export documentation specifies a named adhesive tape brand, or where quality-assured packaging processes call for a 3M product. For standard volume pallet work and bundling, the RAJA grade is the more economical choice.

You might also need

• Scotch 3M Cross Woven Filament Tape, the premium tape option at 145 micron in 50mm and 75mm. The correct choice where export documentation specifies a named adhesive tape brand or where maximum tensile resistance is required on the most demanding applications.
• Tape dispensers, 76mm core pistol-grip dispensers required for all three grades. Consistent dispenser tension is particularly important on pallet load applications, where uneven application reduces the effectiveness of the bi-directional reinforcement.
• Stretch and shrink wrap, These tapes applied over stretch wrap are the standard method for pallet stabilisation. Stretch wrap provides the primary load unitisation layer; filament tape provides the reinforcing strap across it to prevent load shift.
• Self-adhesive paper tape, for primary carton sealing on heavy cartons over 30kg where a paper finish is required. Filament tape provides supplementary seam reinforcement, not primary carton sealing.
• Polypropylene tape, for primary carton sealing on high-throughput lines. For cold environments below 0°C where tape minimum temperatures are not met, acrylic polypropylene tape maintains bond strength reliably.
• Strapping and industrial stapling, for very high load weights or pallet consolidation where polypropylene or steel strapping band is the correct specification for the heaviest loads.