Selecting the right foam tape for your application can be critical to project success. Acrylic, PE, EVA, and PU foam tapes are all popular choices, but each offers unique benefits suited to different needs. In this guide, we’ll explore each foam tape’s features to help you choose the best option for your project.

What Are The Key Differences Between Acrylic, PE, EVA and PU Foam Tape?

Choosing the right foam tape, Acrylic, PE, EVA, or PU, depends on your project’s needs for strength, flexibility, temperature resistance, and application. Acrylic foam tape excels in demanding environments with superior adhesion, while EVA is ideal for cushioning and budget-friendly projects.

Feature	Acrylic Foam Tape	PE Foam Tape	EVA Foam Tape	PU Foam Tape
Base Material	Acrylic (high stability, uniform)	Polyethylene (soft, flexible, lightweight)	Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (shock-absorbing, sealed cells)	Polyurethane (high density, tough, resilient)
Adhesive Strength	Highest (strong bonding, high holding power)	Strong (good retention, UV-resistant)	Moderate (good on rough surfaces)	Strong (excellent retention, waterproof)
Temperature Range	-20°C to 120°C	-20°C to 120°C	20°C to 60°C	-20°C to 120°C
Key Advantages	Waterproof, high load-bearing, durable in harsh conditions	Anti-UV, solvent-resistant, flexible for curved surfaces	Shockproof, sound insulation, eco-friendly	High toughness, weight-bearing, abrasion-resistant
Thickness Options	0.25mm to 3.0mm	0.3mm to 3.0mm	0.5mm to 50mm	0.8mm and 1.6mm
Colors	White, gray, transparent, black	White, black, gray	White, gray, black, colors	White, black
Best For	High-strength applications like automotive seals, metal bonding	Decorative strips, automotive emblems, furniture trim	Electronics cushioning, toys, home hooks	Hooks, signs, heavy-duty fixing
Price Level	Highest (premium performance)	Moderate	Low to moderate	Moderate to high

What’s Foam Tapes?

Foam tapes, also known as double sided foam tapes, are versatile bonding solutions made from a base material like paper, fabric, film, or foam, coated with adhesive on both sides and often backed with a release liner. Foam tapes consist of three main parts: the substrate, adhesive, and release agent (liner). Some substrates require surface treatment before adhesive application for optimal performance.

Foam Tape Features

1. Excellent Sealing: Provides superior sealing to prevent gas leakage and atomization.
2. Outstanding Compression Set Resistance: Exhibits long-lasting elasticity, ensuring durable shock absorption for components.
3. Flame Retardant and Non-Toxic: Does not contain harmful substances, leaves no residue, does not pollute equipment, and is non-corrosive to metals.
4. Wide Temperature Range: Usable across a broad temperature spectrum, from -40°C to 120°C.
5. Excellent Surface Wettability: Offers easy adhesion, facilitates manufacturing, and allows for simple die-cutting.
6. Strong Holding Power and High Peel Strength: Features excellent initial tack, long-term adhesion, and good weather resistance. It is waterproof, solvent-resistant, high-temperature resistant, and conforms well to curved surfaces.

Foam Tape Types

Foam tapes are available in a diverse array of variants, categorized according to multiple criteria, including single-sided or double-sided configurations, foam cell structures, colors, uses and other attributes. Nonetheless, the primary and most prevalent classification is based on the foam material composition.

• Acrylic Foam Tape
• PE (Polyethylene) Foam Tape
• EVA Foam Tape
• PU (Polyurethane) Foam Tape

In this guide, we’ll compare Acrylic, PE, EVA, and PU foam tapes to help you decide which is best for your needs.

What is Acrylic Foam Tape?

Acrylic foam foam features with acrylic foam base coated with acrylic adhesive. Its common colors has white, gray, transparent, black; thicknesses ranges from 0.15mm to 3.0mm; release has white paper, red film, or customized.

When it comes to acrylic foam tapes, many people immediately think of 3M’s VHB series. However, as the tape industry continues to develop, numerous manufacturers now produce acrylic foam tapes that offer excellent performance, with many even serving as direct replacements for some 3M models. If cost-effectiveness is a consideration, you might want to explore acrylic foam tapes produced by manufacturers other than 3M. (Read more: Acrylic Foam Tape vs. VHB Tape: What Is The Difference? )

Double Sided Acrylic Foam Tapes – TOPKING

Part No.	Thickness	Short-term Temp.	Long-term Temp.	Foam	Adhesive Type	Tape Color	Release Liner	Density (Kg/m3)	Similar to 3M
TK300	0.2-2.0mm	120°C	160°C	Rigid (Hard) Acrylic Foam	/	Gray	Red PE Release Film	750±80	/
TK602-G	0.4-1.6mm	90°C	120°C	Adaptive Acrylic Foam	LS side: Modified acrylic NLS side: Modified acrylic	Gray	White release liner	720±80	3M RP Series
TK602-W	0.15-2.0mm	90°C	120°C	Rigid (Hard) Acrylic Foam	LS side: Modified acrylic NLS side: Modified acrylic	White	White release liner	780±80	3M 4950
TK602-B	0.15-1.6mm	93°C	149°C	Soft Acrylic Foam	LS side: Modified acrylic NLS side: Modified acrylic	Gray	Red PE Release Film	700±70	3M 5952
TK700-GH	0.6/0.8/1.1/1.6m	150°C	230°C	Soft Acrylic Foam	LS side: High-temperature modified acrylic NLS side: High-temperature modified acrylic	Gray	Red PE Release Film	720±80	3M GPH
TK710	0.2/0.4/0.6/0.8/1.0/1.2/1.6/2.0m	120°C	160°C	Rigid (Hard) Acrylic Foam	/	Gray	Red PE Release Film	750±80	3M GT7100
TK590	0.4/0.6/0.8/1.0/1.2/1.6/2.0mm	90°C	120°C	Soft Acrylic Foam	LS side: Modified Acrylic NLS side: General Purpose Acrylic	Gray	Red PE Release Film	720±80	3M GT59XX
TK700-PT	1.1mm/1.5mm	90°C	120°C	Highly Conformable Acrylic Foam	LS side: Modified acrylic NLS side: Modified acrylic	Black	Red PE Release Film	700±80	3M PT1100/PT1500
TK700-PX	0.5/0.8/1.1/1.5mm	90°C	120°C	Adaptive Acrylic Foam	LS side: Modified acrylic NLS side: Modified acrylic	Gray	Red PE Release Film	720±80	3M PX5000

Key Features of Acrylic Foam Tape

• Highest adhesion and holding power among foam tapes.
• Waterproof, temperature-resistant, and strong load-bearing.
• Excellent dimensional stability, resists deformation in varying conditions.
• Premium choice for durability and performance.

Applications of Acrylic Foam Tape

Perfect for high-demand bonding like rub strips, pedals, sun visors, seals, bumpers, mud flaps, nameplate trims, door guards, glass curtains, and metal products.

PE Foam Tape

PE foam tape uses polyethylene (PE) foam as the base, coated with acrylic adhesive on both sides.

Available in white, black, or gray, with thicknesses from 0.3mm to 3.0mm and foam expansion ratios of 5x to 30x. Release liners include paper (white, yellow) or film (red, green, blue, orange).

Key Features of PE Foam Tape

• Strong adhesion and excellent holding power.
• UV-resistant, temperature-tolerant (-20°C to 120°C), waterproof, solvent-resistant, and plasticizer-resistant.
• Soft and flexible base adapts to curved surfaces, lightweight with low density.

Applications of PE Foam Tape

Ideal for fixing picture frame trims, furniture edges, automotive moldings, wave boards, wheel arches, baffles, brake lights, car emblems, motorcycle badges, appliance nameplates, and brush strips.

EVA Foam Tape

EVA foam double-sided tape features ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam base coated with adhesives like oil-based, hot-melt, or rubber. Colors include white, gray, black, or vibrant options, with thicknesses from 0.5mm to 50mm, densities of 38-48° (special up to 80°), and white/yellow release paper. Usable from 20°C to 60°C.

Key Features of EVA Foam Tape

• Excellent shock absorption and buffering with closed-cell structure.
• Superior sound insulation, heat insulation, moisture resistance, and chemical corrosion resistance.
• Eco-friendly and compliant with environmental standards.
• Moderate adhesion, effective on rough or uneven surfaces.

Applications of EVA Foam Tape

Used as auxiliary material in electronics, appliances, automotive, communications, computers, toys, home hooks, sports equipment, plastics, and hardware. Common for furniture assembly, appliance vibration damping, and noise reduction.

PE foam tapes and EVA foam tapes are very commonly used foam tapes, whether in industry or daily life. To better choose their corresponding applications, it is essential to understand the differences between PE foam and EVA foam.

PU Foam Tape

PU foam tape employs polyurethane (PU) foam base with acrylic adhesive on both sides. Typically white or black, in 0.8mm or 1.6mm thicknesses, with blue grid-patterned release paper. Operates from -20°C to 120°C.

Key Features of PU Foam Tape

• Strong adhesion and holding power.
• Waterproof, high hardness, excellent toughness, and superior load-bearing capacity.
• High density for better resilience and abrasion resistance under pressure.

Applications of PU Foam Tape

Suitable for bonding hooks, billboards, picture frames, plastic strips, and metal sheets. Widely used in automotive interiors, electronics for shock absorption, and general heavy-duty fixing.

Key Differences Between Acrylic, PE, EVA, and PU Foam Tapes

Base Material Characteristics

• Acrylic: Uniform, stable, minimal deformation.
• PE: Soft, flexible, lightweight for curved surfaces.
• EVA: Shock-absorbing with sealed cells for insulation and corrosion resistance.
• PU: Dense, hard, tough for high-impact areas.

Adhesive Performance

All typically use acrylic adhesives, but vary in strength:

• Acrylic: Superior bonding and retention for heavy loads.
• PE: Strong, durable against water and solvents.
• EVA: Moderate, versatile on irregular surfaces.
• PU: Excellent retention and waterproofing.

Appearance, Colors, and Thickness

• Acrylic: Diverse colors and thicknesses for precision needs.
• PE: Standard colors, varied thicknesses and expansion ratios.
• EVA: Colorful, thickest range for cushioning.
• PU: Limited colors and thicknesses, focused on durability.

Temperature Suitability

• Acrylic, PE, PU: Broad normally range (-20°C to 120°C) for extreme conditions.
• EVA: Narrower (20°C to 60°C) for moderate environments.

Application Areas

• Acrylic: Structural bonding in automotive and construction.
• PE: Decorative and light automotive fixing.
• EVA: Cushioning in electronics and home goods.
• PU: Heavy-duty mounting in signs and interiors.

How to Choose the Right Foam Tape for Your Project

• For high-strength, weather-resistant bonding: Go with Acrylic foam tape—it’s the top performer for automotive and metal applications.
• For flexible, cost-effective decoration: PE foam tape offers great value and adaptability.
• For shock absorption and insulation: EVA is budget-friendly and eco-conscious for electronics and toys.
• For tough, load-bearing fixes: PU provides resilience for hooks and signs.

Consider factors like surface type, environmental exposure, required thickness, and budget. Test samples in real conditions for best results.

FAQs About Foam Tapes

Which foam tape has the best adhesion?

Acrylic foam tape offers the highest adhesion and holding power, making it ideal for demanding applications.

Is EVA foam tape waterproof?

EVA provides good moisture resistance but isn’t as waterproof as Acrylic, PE, or PU for extreme wet conditions.

Can PU foam tape handle high temperatures?

Yes, PU foam tape works from -20°C to 120°C, suitable for varied climates.

What’s the thickest foam tape option?

EVA foam tape goes up to 50mm, perfect for heavy cushioning.

Conclusion

Whether you’re sealing electronics, decorating vehicles, or mounting home items, selecting between Acrylic, PE, EVA, and PU foam tapes boils down to your specific requirements for strength, flexibility, and environment. Acrylic stands out for premium performance, while EVA suits budget buffering. For personalized advice or samples, consult a supplier tailored to your industry.

At TOPKING, we off all the options of foam tapes and can provide die-cutting service based on your specific applications. Contact our experts today for personalized advice and discover the perfect foam tape solution for superior bonding, secure mounting, and improved assembly in your project.