Is Duct Tape Flammable? Does it Burn?

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If you have ever used duct tape for anything, you’ll probably be impressed by how durable it is. You can use this tape to secure a joint in a metal pipe or fix a leak in a stainless steel valve.

It is probably the easiest and most effective tape that you can use.

But one thing that you might be wondering about is exactly how flammable this tape is. However, you’ll be relieved to find out that only a small component of this tape is flammable and that is the wire mesh.

This tape is largely made from rubber and polythene, both of which are very resistant to heat.

So how much duct tape should you use for your DIY project? How much do you need to have to guarantee you a safe and secure hold?

How can you reduce the risk of your duct tape being set on fire? What components of this duct tape will catch on fire and which ones are flame resistant?

Well, if you want to know the answer to these questions and a whole lot more, then we would suggest that you keep reading this article. We’ll cover the whole composition of duct tape, giving you everything that you need to know about this miraculous adhesive substance.

The Big Question: Is Duct Tape Flammable?

The answer to this is slightly complicated, but largely duct tape is not flammable. It comes with a mesh design that is made from cotton, but this is the most flammable part of the duct tape.

Luckily this is offset by the rubber and polystyrene components, which are highly flame retardant.

However, if you are sticking it to a very conductive surface such as a heating pipe, then you can be sure that the intense heat will affect the tape’s ability to stick to things effectively.

Also, if your duct tape is too cold, you will find it very difficult to stick to certain surfaces.

What Is Duct Tape Used For?

This is one of the most versatile substances in anybody’s tool kit. You can be certain that it will fix various surfaces together, whether it is two pieces of metal piping, plastic guttering or two blocks of wood.

One of the more common uses of duct tape is to repair the inside of car parts. You can use this stuff both indoors and outdoors. It is very useful, being highly water-resistant and able to put up with all sorts of weather.

The more threads that your duct tape has, then the stronger it is. You should always pay attention to the thread count of duct tape, as this will be an indication of how strong it is.

People find very creative ways of using duct tape, from repairing tears in punching bags covering up blisters from boxing injuries.

However, you should always be careful about sticking duct tape on bare skin, as it can be very tough and cause further injuries.

How Is Duct Tape Manufactured?

There are essentially 3 layers to duct tape. The top layer being polythene, which is used as the main layer of protection.

You can be sure that this will be able to suffer the wind, rain and elements as best as it can without peeling or losing its strength. However, like all substances, it will begin to deteriorate after a while.

The next layer is fabric mesh. This is mainly used as a buffer between the polythene outer layer and the sticky rubber and glue that you use to stick it to the wall itself.

This is the most flammable part of the duct tape, as it is made from fabric. However, this is only a small portion of the composition of the whole product.

This final layer is the adhesive rubber that is used to stick the protective layer over any cracks or damages in your plastic piping or metal car component.

This is what gives this tape its adhesive properties while also allowing it to be ripped off by hand if it is not applied properly.

Can You Paint On Duct Tape?

You can paint on the surface of your duct tape, however, because this stuff is designed to be highly resistant to water, then the paint will be very patchy and will eventually peel off.

The paint job itself will be very uneven, so it will look very unsightly when applied to the surface of your tape.

If you use duct tape directly on the paintwork of your car, then removing it again might certainly leave some scratch marks on your car.

This is why you’ll need some soft soap and a bucket of water, as this will make the duct tape soft enough to remove without leaving any unsightly marks on your vehicle.

Can You Use Duct Tape As Electrical Tape?

Electrical tape is specifically designed to seal in the electrical wires that can often become exposed after being torn.

We would recommend that you don’t use duct tape for electrical wiring, as it can conduct electricity and cause fires to spread.

You can also remove electrical tape a lot easier than you can duct tape. Because the electrical tape is designed specifically for electrical malfunctions, we would recommend that you use this rather than duct tape, which is much stronger and more adhesive. This makes it much harder to remove after use.

Our Final Say

We hope that our short description of the properties of duct tape and how flammable it is will help you to determine how you can use it. You won’t have to worry too much about fire damage, especially if you are using this one to repair the exhaust in your car.


About David

With over 12 years experience in the fire protection industry, David is our resident Safety & Security expert. He's also a plumber with years of experience in HVAC systems, welding extraordinaire and spends his weekends thinking up gardening projects.

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