Sound tapes can be used in a variety of different ways. The primary use for sound tapes is to record and store sounds. Individuals who engage in audio recording may use these tapes to record sounds or conversations they want to save or remember, such as music or family events. Sound recordings also allow individuals the ability to listen to sound without having to use technology such as speakers and headphones. The playback device requires very little power and can be run by alternative means such as solar energy.
Individuals who use sound tapes for this purpose value their ability to play back any sound at anytime and also appreciate their portability and storage capabilities. However, the convenience that comes with this type of product has its drawbacks including compromised quality, lack of durability, and the necessity of playback devices.
Sound tapes can also be used as a functional material in various products and applications, such as lubricant retention and corrosion protection. Some of the most popular uses for sound tape include: moisture and vapor barrier, oil and petroleum industry, wire and cable insulation, food contact paper, semiconductors manufacturing equipment, protective apparel (safety wear) against heat and cold.
The benefits to using sound tape as a functional material is that it’s cost-effective; has low toxicity levels (non-toxic); relatively safe if consumed; resistant to water damage; offers chemical resistance; provides adequate electrical insulation; easy to handle/cut/process; recyclable; reduces life cycle costs through reduction of labor hours; easily integrated into other products; easy to use in manufacturing processes. The main drawback to using sound tapes includes its low tensile strength when compared to other materials.
The other popular use for this material is within the food industry, specifically as a packaging product or laminate for food contact. Sound tape is used in the lamination process of paper, plastic, and aluminum foil for food containers including bread wrappers, chip bags, fruit packages, drink boxes/containers, meat trays etc… There are an estimated 6 billion beverage cans sold each year that are lined with PVC-based sound tape. Sound tape can also be used on dairy product cartons containing liquid milk directly from the cow’s udder before cooling takes place.
Since sound tape is a commercial grade product, it does not need to be tested for FDA approval in order to be used for food contact paper.
The benefits of using this material in the packaging industry are that anything from bread wrappers to meat trays can have superior printability and moisture barrier properties. It also reduces the weight of any given package while still retaining its durability. In addition, it provides an effective method of recycling containers made from paper by adding a water-resistant layer to make them more durable and reusable/recyclable. The sound tape also acts as a good alternative for oil resistance when used within a laminate structure. Some additional benefits include: ease of thermoforming; high opacity; low cost per square foot; high die-cuttability; ease of converting/printing on, and reusability after printing or converting.
The drawbacks to using this product involve the speed limitations of the material’s laminating process. There is also a challenge with avoiding bubbles in the sound tape during thermoforming due to its thickness and air release properties. The other concern involves extrusion coating limitations when used as an exterior film component because it can be difficult for this product to form a bond with polyolefins due to its low surface energy.
In summary, sound tape can be found in many different applications from recording sounds to protecting food from contaminants and reducing weight through effective moisture barrier protection. Sound tapes are particularly useful as a functional material because of their high die-cuttability and printability, low cost per square foot, reusability after converting/printing on, recyclability potential and chemical resistance. The drawbacks to using sound tape include its low tensile strength when compared to other materials and the speed limitations involved in laminating processes.