The Structure and Composition of Magnetic Recording Tape

---

 

• All tape consists of three primary components: magnetic materials (iron oxide), the "binder" or glue, and a plastic carrier (substrate).

 

• Acetate -- which does not stretch and can be brittle -- was used as a plastic carrier until the 1960s. Mylar/Polyester eventually replaced Acetate as a plastic carrier. It handles stress well and never becomes brittle.

• Sixties-era Mylar tapes with black oxide are known to be the least problematic

• "binder breakdown" or "binder hydrolysis" and sticky tape phenomenon

 

---

Back