What Does
Replica Tape Mean?
Replica tape is an adhering tape that can record the exact impression of a material’s surface. Replica tape is considered a cost-effective method for determining the surface profile or amount of surface roughness on the outer (exposed) area of a material.
By providing a reverse copy, replica tape is a simple way to obtain an impression of a surface that inspectors and researchers can use to perform actions based on the surface profile.
Corrosionpedia Explains Replica Tape
Replica tape consists of a layer of crushable plastic micro foam coated onto a polyester film of highly uniform thickness. When the tape is compressed onto the surface of a material (either rough or smooth), a mirror image replica of the exact surface details is created on the tape, which is then examined by coating inspectors or other interested parties.
Replica tape is widely used in the protective coatings and abrasive blasting industries to quantify a surface’s profile. However, the tape is only helpful in determining the maximum surface profile height – other parameters such as the surface texture, surface rugosity and density are not measurable with replica tape.