3M Kapton tape vs. the stuff from Ebay...

3M Kapton tape vs. the stuff from Ebay... Does anyone know what is so special about the real 3M kapton tape as compared to the ubiquitous Chinese variety? A 100mm x 100' roll of Chinese stuff sells for under $20.00 on ebay, but the real 3M stuff goes for $348/roll on Mouser.com and $567/roll on Grainger. What am I missing here?? I thought I might have been looking at case quantities, but I don't think so... 5yd rolls of 3M stuff seem to sell for around $100. Ebay: [www.ebay.com] Mouser: [www.mouser.com] Grainger: [www.grainger.com] https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,267774,267774#msg-267774 Thu, 11 Jun 2026 06:20:12 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,267774,268495#msg-268495 Re: 3M Kapton tape vs. the stuff from Ebay... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,267774,268495#msg-268495 KDog General Sun, 17 Nov 2013 17:19:16 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,267774,268135#msg-268135 Re: 3M Kapton tape vs. the stuff from Ebay... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,267774,268135#msg-268135

Quote
Azrael_UK
Since kapton was used back on the Apollo missions ( [www.thespacestore.com] ) and patent is normally 17 or 20 years in the USA, I'm guessing they don't need to worry about that and are just skating around trademark issues. I've been using some knock-off stuff called kaptan tape also from Ebay and it's been working just fine. It's completely unaffected up to 300C, doesn't ignite at 400C and has adequate adhesion to both PLA and ABS when heated.

The polyimide tape patent has expired. It is a trademark issue and 3m uses their traditional numbering scheme for that line of tape. Differences between the name brand and the off brands are the specs and quality of product for a suited purpose. You don't see this with a Reprap because it's a low demand app but in other industrial uses the name brand tapes are superior and in many, if not most cases outperform the off brand tapes. The high end tapes are suitable for apps like wave solder masking and apps that require conductive tape that performs to a high tolerance spec.]]> vegasloki General Sat, 16 Nov 2013 21:45:29 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,267774,268003#msg-268003 Re: 3M Kapton tape vs. the stuff from Ebay... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,267774,268003#msg-268003
If anyone is curious about the Robotdigg kapton tape, I have nothing but great things to say about it. I was just hoping to find something stateside with a shorter lead-time. If anyone has experience with other vendors or tapes, share them here!]]> stonedcoldskier General Sat, 16 Nov 2013 13:51:36 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,267774,267870#msg-267870 Re: 3M Kapton tape vs. the stuff from Ebay... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,267774,267870#msg-267870 http://themaskingshop.co.uk/detail.asp?catID=12a. Quick shipping and reliable.

I use the 20mm kind on my print bed. I change it only when it gets ripped by accident. I think the reel will last me at least a year if not longer.

Andy]]> ajayre General Sat, 16 Nov 2013 04:43:15 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,267774,267856#msg-267856 Re: 3M Kapton tape vs. the stuff from Ebay... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,267774,267856#msg-267856
The same can't be said for blue builders tape where 3M builders tape is vastly superior to the identical looking stuff from the pound shop.

Mike]]> leadinglights General Sat, 16 Nov 2013 03:35:16 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,267774,267846#msg-267846 Re: 3M Kapton tape vs. the stuff from Ebay... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,267774,267846#msg-267846 www.thespacestore.com] ) and patent is normally 17 or 20 years in the USA, I'm guessing they don't need to worry about that and are just skating around trademark issues. I've been using some knock-off stuff called kaptan tape also from Ebay and it's been working just fine. It's completely unaffected up to 300C, doesn't ignite at 400C and has adequate adhesion to both PLA and ABS when heated.]]> Azrael_UK General Sat, 16 Nov 2013 03:00:57 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,267774,267829#msg-267829 Re: 3M Kapton tape vs. the stuff from Ebay... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,267774,267829#msg-267829 Kapton is the brand name for DuPont, the inventor and patent holder. . 3M sells Polyimide tape under the 3M brand along with Scotch brand tape.

I got a roll of this "200mm X100ft Kapton Tape" for about $25 on eBay and before that payed like $10 for 50mm x 100ft Polyimide tape (search eBay)
I paid almost twice that for a roll of 1/2" by 33yrd double sided real DuPont Kapton tape.

One thing is that all the eBay stuff is 1 mil, whereas you can get up to 5 mil from DuPont or 3M. The eBay stuff works just fine on my Mendel Prusa i2 over borosilicate glass. The real stuff I have is 3 mil so it's much tougher and hard to compare.

Bottom line, for printing ABS purposes, I've found the eBay stuff to be more than adequate,. Also, for the price you can use several layers of tape, which probably offers more strength than thicker tape.

The reason DuPont charges so much over price of materials and labor is that most of their sales are to the US military and aerospace industry. In order to justify the high prices they charge the government on the GSA Schedule, they have to show that what they charge retail is some percent over what they charge the government, (when you work in DC (USA) you find these things out. I really don't know much about 3M except that is listed on the Dow Jones Industrial index. I guess when you make $30 Billion a year, you don't have to cater to the little guy]]> Anonymous User General Sat, 16 Nov 2013 00:54:56 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,267774,267813#msg-267813 Re: 3M Kapton tape vs. the stuff from Ebay... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,267774,267813#msg-267813 aduy General Sat, 16 Nov 2013 00:22:53 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,267774,267810#msg-267810 Re: 3M Kapton tape vs. the stuff from Ebay... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,267774,267810#msg-267810 polyimide tape - and since it's prime I don't even have to pay for shipping.

I would think amazon would honor any IP licenses.]]> jbernardis General Sat, 16 Nov 2013 00:11:08 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,267774,267804#msg-267804 Re: 3M Kapton tape vs. the stuff from Ebay... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,267774,267804#msg-267804 Anonymous User General Fri, 15 Nov 2013 23:45:34 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,267774,267774#msg-267774 3M Kapton tape vs. the stuff from Ebay... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,267774,267774#msg-267774
Ebay:
[www.ebay.com]

Mouser:
[www.mouser.com]

Grainger:
[www.grainger.com]]]> stonedcoldskier General Fri, 15 Nov 2013 21:07:16 -0500