Scotch tape

Description

[3M, St Paul, MN] A registered trademark for a series of semitransparent or transparent pressure-sensitive tapes. Scotch® tapes were introduced in 1925. The initial tapes had Cellophane substrates with a natural rubber adhesive mixed with oils and resin (Hatchfield 2001). These early tapes became brittle and yellow with age and often emitted oily (BHT antioxidants) and volatile (Sulfur, Formic acid, Formaldehyde) products. Since 1953, Scotch® tapes have a more stable Cellulose acetate substrate with acrylic adhesives.

Synonyms and Related Terms

Scotch tape (sp); Selotape (England)

Physical and Chemical Properties

Soluble in acetone.

Resources and Citations

• 3M: Scotch Adhesive products

• P.Hatchfield, Pollutants in the Museum Environment, Archetype Press, London, 2002.

• Ralph Mayer, A Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques, Harper and Row Publishers, New York, 1969 (also 1945 printing)

• George Savage, Art and Antique Restorer's Handbook, Rockliff Publishing Corp, London, 1954

• Random House, Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, Grammercy Book, New York, 1997

• A Glossary of Paper Conservation Terms, Margaret Ellis (ed.), Conservation Center of the Institute of Fine Arts, New York City, 1998

• The American Heritage Dictionary or Encarta, via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998