Which is Stronger Glue or Tape? - Constantly Curious (2)

Tape usually consists of a backing coated with a combination of a rubber or rubber-like ‘stretchy” component, and a compound called a tackifier. That’s the sticky component.

A tape’s stickiness is determined by the proportion of elastic compound and tackifier, the thickness of adhesive spread onto the backing, and the type of backing material. No chemical reaction occurs when tapes is pressed onto a surface. Instead, the soft adhesive flows into the cracks and grooves of the surface. This ability to slide into cracks and then stay in place is called viscoelasticity. Once the viscoelastic adhesive fills, these microscopic crevices, it is close enough to form Van der Waals forces.

So what’s the world’s strongest adhesive? Well, there’s no one answer.

In terms of absolute strength of adhesive bonds, glue is stronger than tape,

but no single adhesive works well in all circumstances. Of the glues, cyanoacrylates or super glues may form the strongest bonds,

but two component epoxy glues have much higher resistance to heat and shearing, and are compatable with a wider range of surfaces.

credits to the pictures and information i had taken from https://www.facebook.com/BeConstantlyCurious/videos/156207705045280/

So if you wanted to dangle an anvil in the air, super glue might be your best bet.

But if you’re doing so over and active volcano, you’d want an epoxy instead.

And in order to work at all, glues need enough real estate where surfaces touch.

If for some reason you wanted to make a chain of bowling balls, duct tape would be better.

Engineers weigh similar, if less absurd, factors all the time. Choosing the right glue to withstand the heat inside an engine is a matter of life and death. And though the strength of duct tape’s adhesive bonds can’t compete with those of epoxy glues,

tape does have the advantage of instantaneous stickiness in an emergency.

Glue may be necessary to get a rocket to space, but when it comes to extraterrestrial repairs, stick to duct tape: liquid glues don’t work in zero gravity.