For most consumers, expired tape is low on the list of household priorities. However, understanding the shelf life of adhesive tapes requires some consideration and management on the part of distributors, shippers, and manufacturers. Industrial buyers may purchase dozens or even hundreds of rolls of tape at once and must think about how to best manage shelf life. Custom tapes and other specialty packaging products can have long lead times due to the manufacturing process, which further complicates the shelf life of adhesive tapes.
This post looks at the often overlooked tape shelf life considerations distributors should make when managing shipping supplies inventory.
What does adhesive tape shelf life actually mean?
A technical bulletin from 3M summarizes this well: “…shelf life is about the usability of a product and not its durability.” While many tape products are serviceable past their prime, users assume a certain amount of risk when using old tape.
Adhesive tape does not actually have an “expiration date”, so to speak. For the most part, tape buyers will need to do some research to determine when the tape needs to be used or discarded. Many companies will print a manufacturing date. Others might utilize a Julian date or code.
The Julian calendar originated in astronomy to standardize dates on a larger scale than the Gregorian calendar in everyday use. Julian dates are simply dates numbered from a specific date and time. In manufacturing, this date is usually the first of the year. For example, January 20th in the Gregorian calendar is 020 in Julian or twenty days from January 1st. Manufacturers list their Julian codes in various ways, some of which may be three to seven digits. You can use an online calculator to convert a Julian date to Gregorian or call the manufacturer to figure out how their specific Julian date code works.
All manufacturers of adhesive tape list the ideal shelf life for their products. For most tapes, the standard shelf life is between six months and two years, with some durable tapes lasting up to five years. However, those standard shelf life estimates assume the tape is stored correctly.
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Proper storage of tape
Always check the manufacturer’s labels, as tape and adhesive can vary based on chemical composition. But the most important factors for the shelf life of adhesive tapes include:
- Stable temperatures between 60° to 80° Fahrenheit
- Low humidity between 40% to 60%
- Limited exposure to UV rays and warehouse lights
- Rotating stock with the “first in first out” (FIFO) method
- If possible, store stock in the manufacturer’s shipping container, as these are packed to ideal conditions for specific tape products in most cases
Some tapes, such as hot melt or acrylic adhesive, might be more temperature-resistant. Too much humidity can cause the adhesive to run, and arid climates can cause the tape to dry out. Generally, water-based adhesive lasts longer than hot melt tapes or similar products.
Negative factors that affect tape longevity
If proper storage can extend the longevity of adhesive tape, certain environmental factors can reduce the shelf life, even below the expected lifespan:
- Temperature – Extreme heat or cold can break down adhesives or damage the paper or tape materials.
- Stress – Undo stress can physically reshape the tape roll or cause stretching. The stress could come from being stored with a heavy load on top of the tape.
- Contaminants – Dust, mold, cleaning solvents, the natural oil produced by skin, and radiation can all negatively impact the efficacy of different tapes.
- Time – Time is one of the most impactful elements of tape longevity. The older the tape, the less likely it is to be effective.
Using tape beyond its shelf life
It is worth noting that manufacturers rarely wait two to five years to test shelf life. Instead, they use “aging studies” that simulate time by exposing tape to high temperature or humidity.
So, it is feasible that tape may last well past its predicted lifespan, especially in ideal storage conditions, but should your company assume that risk?
Risk and compliance with tape shelf life
Highly regulated, high-liability industries such as healthcare, electronics, and aerospace, tape shelf life should closely managed tape shelf life to minimize risk.
However, for everybody else, the question of pushing your tape beyond the recommended shelf life is more nuanced. If the tape adheres normally, with no visible signs of wear or damage, it might be acceptable to use on a small scale for a while. But if a large amount of adhesive tape is nearing the end of its shelf life, consider having a sample tested by an expert lab.
Each company is unique and must consider the risks specific to its business profile. Preferably, major stakeholders, business leaders, and the legal department would be involved in the conversation.
Managing tape shelf life
Adherex can make managing adhesive tape shelf life more accessible thanks to our expert advice and new stocking program. This program involves keeping a revolving stock of our most used products that can ship to you quickly and easily with minimal lead time. Additionally, our experts can advise you on the longevity of various kinds of tapes.
Get in touch with the sales team to learn more.
