Cover Tape
Cover tape seals onto carrier tape to protect electronic components during transport and storage.
Cover Tape in One Paragraph
Cover tape seals onto carrier tape to protect electronic components during transport and storage. SEWATE offers cover tapes with Pressure Sensitive Adhesives (PSA) or Heat Activated Adhesives (HAA), available in non-conductive and electrostatic dissipative versions. The tape is made from PET or PS, with widths from 5.4mm to 81.5mm, and is designed to work with PS and PC carrier tapes. It ensures a consistent seal and controlled peel-back force, critical for smooth SMT pick and place operations. A liner protects the adhesive until application, and the tape is halogen-free to meet environmental standards.
Why Buyers Specify Cover Tape
- Seals securely to carrier tape to prevent dust, moisture, and ESD exposure during transport and storage
- Smooth peel force reduces the risk of component damage during SMT feeding
- Available in PSA and HAA types to match your packaging and machine setup
- Non-conductive and electrostatic dissipative options meet different safety and handling needs
- Halogen-free materials comply with environmental standards including Sony requirements
- High transparency allows visual inspection of components without opening the tape
- Compatible with PS and PC carrier tapes for consistent performance across materials
Cover Tape on the Line
Protecting SMD components during shipment from a semiconductor manufacturer to an EMS plant
Securing components in a rework or repair line where tape must be opened and resealed
Maintaining component integrity during long-term storage in a warehouse before assembly
Supporting high-volume SMT lines where consistent peel-back force prevents feeder jams
Re-packaging components from bulk into tape and reel for traceability and controlled handling
Using re-sealable PSA tapes for trial runs or small batch production without full heat sealing
Cover Tape Is Built For
- Semiconductor and component makers packaging finished devices for shipment
- EMS and SMT assembly plants receiving tape-packed components and needing reliable sealing
- IC distributors re-packaging bulk devices into standardized tape and reel
- Connector and relay manufacturers using tape for small or medium volume production
- Purchasing teams replacing a cover tape supplier with inconsistent peel force or sealing
What Goes Wrong Without Cover Tape
- Components become contaminated or damaged due to poor sealing between carrier and cover tape
- Peel-back force varies across a reel, causing jams or part misfeeds in the pick and place machine
- Adhesive sticks to components during handling, leading to rejects or machine downtime
- Tape fails to seal properly under temperature or humidity changes during transit
- Lack of compatibility between cover tape and carrier tape material causes delamination
- No re-sealable option for trial runs or rework, forcing full tape replacement after opening
Technical Detail of Cover Tape
- Available in Pressure Sensitive Adhesive (PSA) or Heat Activated Adhesive (HAA) types
- Non-conductive or electrostatic dissipative versions based on surface resistivity
- PET or PS material for compatibility with PS and PC carrier tapes
- Widths from 5.4mm to 81.5mm, with custom widths available upon request
- Liner protects adhesive until application, ensuring clean handling
- Halogen-free formulation meets environmental and safety standards
- High transparency allows visual inspection without opening the tape
The Numbers for Cover Tape
Values are taken from the SEWATE product data for this item.
| Model Number | SE-CT-003 |
|---|---|
| Width | 5.4, 9.3, 13.3, 21.3, 25.5, 37.5, 49.5, 65.5, 81.5 mm etc. |
| Color | Transparent, Light Brown, etc. |
| Material | PET, PS |
| Adhesive Type | PSA, HAA |
| Surface Resistivity | Non-conductive >10^12 ohms/square, Electrostatic dissipative <10^12 ohms/square |
| Certification | RoHS |
| MOQ | 10000M |
| Sample Time | 3-5 days or according to customers’ requirements |
| Lead Time | 5-15 days or depend on final quantity |
| Capacity | 10000M/Hour |
| Packaging | Cartons or as customers’ requirement |
| Payment Terms | T/T, L/C, etc. |
| Place of Origin | China |
Resins Used in Cover Tape
- PET is used for high clarity, good dimensional stability, and resistance to moisture and temperature changes
- PS is used for lower cost and good adhesion to PS and PC carrier tapes, but has lower heat resistance than PET
Production Route for Cover Tape
- Review of application requirements including carrier tape type, adhesive type, and peel force needs
- Confirmation of width, material, and adhesive type based on customer specifications
- Production setup with roll-to-roll coating and slitting to final width
- Application of liner to protect adhesive before shipment
- Quality check on adhesive strength, seal integrity, and peel force consistency
- Cutting to length and packing into cartons or as per customer packaging requirement
How Cover Tape Is Checked
- Peel-back force tested to ensure consistency across the entire reel
- Seal integrity checked under temperature and humidity variations
- Adhesive performance verified on both PS and PC carrier tapes
- Surface resistivity measured to confirm non-conductive or electrostatic dissipative status
- Visual inspection for defects, bubbles, or liner misalignment
- After-sales support provided for any issues with sealing or feeding performance
What Can Change on Cover Tape
- Width customized from 5.4mm to 81.5mm or beyond based on carrier tape and component pitch
- Material selected from PET or PS to match carrier tape and environmental needs
- Adhesive type chosen as PSA for cold sealing or HAA for permanent heat sealing
- Surface resistivity specified as non-conductive or electrostatic dissipative
- Color selected from transparent or light brown for visibility and line identification
- Liner type and thickness adjusted for handling and storage conditions
- Packaging customized to customer carton size or pallet loading requirements
Comparing Cover Tape
| Tape and reel with no cover tape | Without cover tape, components are exposed to dust, moisture, and ESD during transport and storage, increasing rejection risk |
|---|---|
| Standard cover tape from a catalogue | Custom widths and adhesive types reduce the risk of seal failure or poor peel force, but require a one-time setup and longer lead time |
| PSA only | PSA tapes are easier to seal at room temperature but may have lower long-term adhesion under high heat compared to HAA |
| HAA only | HAA tapes provide stronger, permanent seals but require heat application, which adds process complexity and time |
Working With Cover Tape
- Confirm the carrier tape material (PS or PC) before selecting the cover tape adhesive type
- Specify required peel-back force to match your SMT machine’s feeding requirements
- Choose PSA for trial runs or rework, HAA for high-volume production with permanent sealing
- Use transparent tape for visual inspection, light brown for contrast in high-speed lines
- Keep the liner in place until the tape is ready to be applied to the carrier tape
- Store tapes in a dry, cool environment to prevent adhesive degradation
- Test a sample reel before full production to verify seal strength and peel force consistency
Related Products
Other items in the Others line that buyers compare with cover tape.
Carrier Tape Materials
Carrier tape materials are extruded and embossed sheets made from PS, PET, PC, ABS, or HIPS, designed to hold electronic components in fixed pockets for automated pick and place.
View Details
Plastic Reels
Plastic reels are injection molded spools used to hold carrier tape and reel assemblies for SMD components during storage and automated placement.
View Details
Rubber End Plugs
Rubber end plugs are used to seal the open ends of IC shipping tubes to prevent dust, moisture, and mechanical shock from entering during handling and transport.
View DetailsRelated Guides
Background reading before you specify cover tape.
Carrier Tape Types By Width, Pocket And Anti Static Level
The carrier tape is a tape-shaped product with equidistant cavities for holding electronic components.
Read Guide
Materials For Anti Static IC Tubes
IC shipping tubes are made from several plastics including PVC, PS, PET, PC, and ABS.
Read Guide
How To Choose IC Tube Stoppers
An anti-static IC tube is a precision profile designed to hold components during transport and feeding.
Read GuideWhere It Is Used
Where cover tape is used in production.
EMS And SMT Assembly
SEWATE supplies anti-static IC tubes and carrier tape systems used in EMS and SMT assembly lines for transporting components from vendor to machine and feeding them into automated pick and place systems.
See Application
LED And Optoelectronics
SEWATE supplies anti-static carrier tape and reel, cover tape, and anti-static tubes for LEDs and optoelectronic devices, including modules, diodes, filters, relays, switches, fuses, transformers, magnetic components, and inductors.
See ApplicationCover Tape Buyer Questions
What is the minimum order quantity for cover tape?
10000 meters. The MOQ reflects the setup cost of the roll-to-roll process and the need for efficient production runs.
How long does a standard cover tape order take?
5-15 days depending on final quantity. Samples are available in 3-5 days or as per customer requirements.
Can I get a custom width for my cover tape?
Yes. Widths from 5.4mm to 81.5mm are standard, and custom widths are available upon request based on your carrier tape and component pitch.
What is the difference between PSA and HAA cover tape?
PSA tapes seal at room temperature and are re-sealable, ideal for trial runs. HAA tapes require heat activation for a permanent seal and are used in high-volume production.
Is the cover tape compatible with PS and PC carrier tapes?
Yes. Both PSA and HAA cover tapes are designed to work with PS and PC carrier tapes, with tested adhesion and seal integrity.
Does the cover tape have anti-static properties?
Yes. Available in non-conductive and electrostatic dissipative versions, with surface resistivity tested to meet specifications.
Do the tapes come with a liner?
Yes. A liner protects the adhesive until application. It is removed before sealing the tape to the carrier tape.
Send the Device and Get Cover Tape Quoted
A drawing, a sample or the physical component is enough. Sales and engineering come back within 24 hours.