NEDC is an authorized converter for 3M company. For that reason, we often get questions from customers about the adhesive tape products we offer. Customers often ask, what is the difference between this tape, and this tape? The reason customers ask this question, is a lot of times the tape is actually the same thing, but one just has a different liner.

First Question, What is an Adhesive Release Liner? 

The first question to ask is “What is a Release Liner?” A Release Liner helps protect the the product during transit, and as you will see below, can even help in situations where the parts need to be kiss-cut onto a liner. The main function is to help transport the product through different stages of the manufacturing process without damaging the product. 

Different Types of Adhesive Release Liners:

-Diamond Plastic Liners (for hard to release materials)

-Plastic Film Liners (usually coated with silicone, or fluoropolymer on one side for easy release)

-Paper Liners (nearly always silicone coated on one side for easy release)

-PTFE/Fiberglass Release Liner, These liners are coated with PTFE to make it non-stick to have an easy time removing the release liner from the product. 

Examples of Different Liners, Same Adhesive Tape:

3M 467MP, and 9667MP are the same tape, except there is one major difference. 9667MP has a much thicker release liner. 

Why does 3M make two products with different release liners? 

There are a few reasons for this: Keep in mind that a liner is only there to protect the adhesive during transit to its end goal – which is usually help during an assembly process. Since NEDC is an authorized 3M converter we have access to a number of different types:

  1. The thicker the liner, the easier it is to remove the liner from parts during assembly for the adhesive backing. The easy-peel liner can aid in making the parts 
  2. The thicker the liner, the easier it is to kiss-cut. Yes, it is possible that NEDC will swap a liner to make die-cutting easier if the adhesive tapes natural liner cannot be provided thicker. This can definitely be the case if the die-cutter is attempting to die-cut the parts.
  3. A thinner liner makes the product easier to wind up. For example, a thick liner can force the paper to make a memory, and forget its original shape. Tightly wound materials should have a thinner liner.
  4. Some customers prefer that their product is supplied on a tray like material. Thick liner can be better for this, when customers ask for a tray like liner, we usually give them a .011” liner. With a die-cutting process, cutting parts is essentially bursting through the material instead of cutting through it. 

Adding a Second Liner/Secondary Liner Considerations

When adding a secondary liner, you should be aware that not all materials release as easy as others. For example, a silicone rubber material is not compatible with a silicone based liner. As another example, thick liners may not unroll off the roll as easily. Further, liners have sides just like most materials. Some liners have a high release side, and a low release side. All these are considerations when liners are being selected, especially for die cutting operations. 

More Information on Secondary Liners for Adhesive Tapes

NEDC die-cuts, waterjet-cuts, and laser-cuts all sorts of parts for customers. This is usually done through die-cutting after laminating a part. For more information on 3M adhesive tape, or 3M release liners, please contact sales@nedc.com. 

3M Secondary Liner Download 

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