[PeterA]

Well here is the thing. Everyone seems to swear black and blue that you should not use duct tape on the ducting.

For me down under in Australia, I was a bit confused. You see, all this information out there on the web is saying never to use duct tape on ducts. But all the fittings in my roof have been taped up with duct tape. Where we are it gets very hot, over 40deg. Celsius in summer, so say 100-110 F. And that "duct tape" has been on the flexible duct work for quite a few years now. Which made it hard for me to understand why all the info out there is against using the duct tape.

Well get this. What you might call a thong (if you are in the USA) AKA G-banger, we wear on our feet. You might call those flip flops.....

So here's the kicker. Our duct tape is "PVC Duct tape"

I think what is going on here is that the duct tape talked about here is what we might call "gaffer tape".


Our duct tape is just PVC plastic with the glue. The other duct tape has the cotton type material in it.


Even some supplies list the "Australian duct tape" specifically for use to seal ducts. See here:
http://www.actrol.com.au/Products/Service-Consumables/Tapes/PVC-Duct-Tapes/


Here is a question.
Is this stuff right to use or not then?

 

[dan sw fl]

http://www.shurtape.com/RESOURCES/TechnicalDataSheets.aspx
I would use a tape with > 50 OZ/INCH adhesive.
ALUMINUM
NOT cloth
i.e. AF 75
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
________________________STANDARD __________METRIC
Tensile Strength _________30 lbs/in width _______52.5 N/10 mm
Adhesion to Stainless Steel _55 oz/in width __6.02 N/10 mm
Thickness ________________4.8 mils _____________0.12 mm
Elongation _______________ 5.3 % _____________5.3 %
Service Temperature Range -30 F to 325 F -34 C to 163 C

A slightly lesser grade
http://www.shurtape.com/Portals/0/TechSheets/SF_683_TS.pdf
Use?

or other Manufacturer with > 50 oz/in and 30 lbs/in width aluminum tape,
3M, ...

ADHESIVE quality makes a significant difference.

Page 5
http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/mediaw...?mwsId=66666UuZjcFSLXTtMxM_58TtEVuQEcuZgVs6EVs6E666666--&fn=MetalFoilTapes2.pdf

 

[PeterA]

Thanks I will have a read through that. 3M do make some very good products.

 

[energy_rater_La]

having used most brands & types of duct sealing tapes over
the years, I've found that Hardcast makes the best tape.
3" wide, so that you can cut it into 1 1/2 width if needed,
excellent adhesion as long as surfaces are clean & dry.
makes transitions from sheet metal to wood, sheetrock, flex duct,
& just about every surface with the exception of concrete & popcorn
on sheetrock.
this is the only brand I've used now for the past 10 years.
Hardcast brand 1402 mastic tape.

http://www.carlislehvac.com/?page=product&id=420&pn=Foil-Grip 1402 Printed/Unprinted

best of luck

 

[hearthman]

Ditto the 1402 tape and add Iron Grip 601 for mastic. The codes now require tape or mastic meeting UL 181 a, b, m, or FX depending upon the application. No more cr@ppy tape, silicone caulks, etc. Rubber cement duct tape was designed to seal ammo cans in WWII and not suitable nor approved for forced air ducts. Keep it in your truck or fishing boat but out of your basement.

 

[vstech]

what they said.

PVC is not supposed to be in the air stream!

duct seams should be sealed with mastic, or mastic tape. it's all about fire and fumes. check the UL listings