(Download the Films & Tapes Product Overview Sheet)
Why Heat-Sealing Tape Selection Matters
Heat sealing is a critical step in medical device packaging, food processing, pharmaceuticals, and consumer goods. The quality of this single operation affects:
- Seal strength and consistency
- Sterility and contamination control
- Shelf life
- Regulatory compliance
- Line uptime and throughput
Even small issues — film sticking to the heat bar, inconsistent release, residue buildup — can cause costly downtime, quality failures, and equipment wear.
Heat-sealing tape, therefore, is not optional. It’s foundational.
How Heat Sealing Works (Quick Overview)
Heat sealing bonds thermoplastic films using controlled heat + pressure. A heat bar or platen contacts the film and forms the seal.
To prevent sticking and protect equipment, operators apply heat-sealing tapes over the bar surface.
The three common sealing methods
- Impulse sealing – Ideal for medical and cleanroom environments
- Hot bar sealing – Best for thicker or multilayer films
- Continuous band sealing – Designed for high-volume packaging
As industries move toward higher throughput and tighter quality requirements, tape selection becomes a major performance lever.
The Three Most Important Tape Strategies
1. Choose High-Performance Tapes That Protect Equipment & Maximize Uptime
To improve sealing consistency, start with the tape that shields the heat bar from:
- Molten film buildup
- Adhesion and sticking
- Abrasion
- Thermal cycling damage
Matrix does not manufacture tapes — but we distribute a wide range of engineered tapes from trusted global brands (including Saint-Gobain) and provide in-house converting to deliver the right width, format, or configuration for your sealing equipment.
What to look for in a high-performance heat-sealing tape
- Strong release properties under heat
- High temperature resistance
- Tear-resistant backing
- Stable adhesive performance
- Clean, fast changeouts
- No residue transfer
Right-sized, application-ready tapes reduce stoppages, extend bar life, and ensure repeatable sealing performance.
2. Focus on Tape Properties That Directly Influence Seal Quality
Heat-sealing environments are demanding. Tapes must deliver a balance of mechanical, thermal, and surface characteristics.
Mechanical & thermal performance
- Dimensional stability (no stretching or distortion)
- Tensile strength under compression
- Thermal conductivity for uniform heat transfer
Surface performance
- Low friction for smooth film travel
- High abrasion resistance for repetitive cycles
- Low wettability (resists molten plastic adhesion)
- Strong peel adhesion but clean removal
- Reliable performance through repeated heat cycles
Matrix distributes PTFE, polyimide, silicone, polyester, UHMW, glass-cloth, and specialty tape solutions, and converts them to the exact format your equipment requires.
If needed, we provide engineered recommendations based on seal temperature, dwell time, film type, throughput, and contamination risk.
3. Plan Ahead for PFAS-Free Tape Options
PTFE has long been the industry standard for its unmatched non-stick and high-temperature characteristics — but PFAS regulations are tightening across food and medical industries.
While PTFE remains necessary in many extreme-temperature applications, more OEMs are requesting non-PFAS alternatives.
What to know about non-PFAS sealing tapes
- Silicone-based options are effective up to ~500°C
- They offer strong heat resistance but lower slipperiness vs. PTFE
- Performance can be enhanced with high-temperature fillers
- Non-PFAS films and tapes are available and can be tested in your sealing environment
Matrix is actively supporting customers through this transition by providing PFAS and non-PFAS options, plus samples for evaluation.
Summary: A Better Seal Starts With the Right Tape
Upgrading your heat-sealing tape improves:
- Seal consistency
- Production throughput
- Equipment life
- Cleaning and maintenance cycles
- Alignment with emerging PFAS regulations
Matrix distributes high-performance films and tapes from world-class brands and converts them into application-ready formats tailored to your equipment.
Talk to Matrix About Improving Your Heat-Sealing Performance
Need help choosing the right tape for your sealing equipment or application?
sales@matrixtechnology.ca
