Tape Failure-Here Is How It Happens

Bi-directional filament tape uses a synthetic rubber adhesive prized for its aggressive bonding to the panels used to construct a hexayurt.

Even the best adhesives will fail if stressed beyond their design parameters.

Here are the most common ways an adhesive joint can fail:

Cohesive fracture-Caused by a crack that develops in the polymer base used for the adhesive.

Interfacial fracture-Failure in the bond between the adhesive and the substrate material to which it is supposed to be permanently bonded.

Alternating crack path-Substrate cracking that migrates from one surface to another.

All of the above failures can be accelerated by exposure to sunlight, which is why it is a good idea to cover your filament tape with aluminum tape.