randallb wrote:
Rob,
How long have you worked for DuPont?
Randy
Some tapes are better than others. For a short-term repair a $0.99 "scotch" clear tape or packing tape will do. It's made of polyester, degrades quickly under sun exposure. It is also thin and very weak mechanically, low tensile strength. But, if you wrap a broken stick with this tape a few times, it will sustain enough pressure. Comes under many different names, but I don't believe there is any difference other than price.
OTH, Tuvec is a HDPE, high density polyethylene, sometimes called "poor man's Teflon". Much better UV resistance. Can't say about strength - in my outdoor applications UV degradation, even in rainy and cloudy North West, is more important than strength. Polyester film becomes brittle and crumbles to dust after one summer, and Tuvec film works for years. I used white Tuvec film which is, I believe, same material as you see on new windows in construction sites. OTH, polyester fabric is used in sail making and is quite resistant to UV, go figure. Though, fabric and monofilm is not the same thing.
This all doesn't mean that Tuvec is such an outstanding achievement by Dupont. HDPE is just a good material, be it in a solid brick or a film. This also doesn't mean that Tuvec tape is better than any other tape. UV resistance is one thing, and adhesive properties is another. I didn't have a chance to try Tyvec tape, didn't have much need. But I found that lowly $0.99 packing tape adhered better than more expensive duct tape to a wet surface, for example.
