Eight tapes, one table, no marketing language. Every figure below comes from the manufacturer's data sheet for that part number — where a sheet does not state a value, the cell says not listed rather than carrying a plausible number. Use the column that matches your constraint, not the product you already know.
Choosing a tape because a drawing names a UL rating? UL 510 vs UL 130 lists which of our tapes carries which mark, with thickness and temperature class.
How to read this table
- Temperature first. The UL temperature rating is a class rating, not a continuous service ceiling. If the joint exceeds the class, move to a higher class before looking at anything else.
- Breakdown voltage is a function of thickness. A 0.05 mm film at 7.0 kV is not "better" than 0.18 mm glass cloth at 4.5 kV — the glass cloth is thicker, tougher and carries 589.2 N/25 mm of tensile load. Pick by the job, not by the biggest number.
- Peel adhesion tells you how it behaves on the roll. Above 12 N/25 mm the tape holds on contact and resists lifting; lower values are easier to reposition and remove without residue.
- Two rows are not insulation tapes at all. No.8323 and No.833 are conductive foils — their breakdown voltage is "not applicable" because they are meant to conduct, not to isolate.
Selection matrix — 8 tapes, 8 measured properties
| Part | Backing | Adhesive | Thickness mm |
UL temp | Breakdown kV |
Peel adhesion N/25 mm |
Tensile N/25 mm |
Length m |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No.650S | Polyimide film | Silicone | 0.05 | 200 °C | 7.0 | 5.39 | 122.6 | 20 |
| No.631S | Polyester film (PET) | Acrylic | 0.05 | 130 °C | 6.0 | 12.26 | 95.6 | 30 |
| No.570F | Acetate cloth | Rubber | 0.25 | not rated | 3.7 | 8.58 | 156.9 | 30 |
| No.540S | Glass cloth | Silicone | 0.18 | 200 °C | 4.5 | 6.97 | 589.2 | 30 |
| No.560S | Aramid paper | not listed | 0.10 | 155 °C | 2.7 | 20.47 | 103.0 | 50 |
| No.8323 | Rolled copper foil | Conductive acrylic | 0.07 | not rated | not applicable | 8.58 | not listed | 20 |
| No.833 | Aluminium foil | not listed | 0.08 | not rated | not applicable | 14.71 | not listed | 20 |
| No.4019-2317 | PVC film, grey, printed rodent pattern | Rubber with capsicum | 0.20 | not rated | not applicable | 4.28 | 95.4 | 20 |
Which one for which job
| The job | Use | Why this one |
|---|---|---|
| Soldering, reflow or a heat gun near a connector | No.650S | 200 °C class at 0.05 mm — thin enough not to add bulk, and it lifts off without leaving adhesive behind |
| Coil or transformer interlayer | No.631S at 130 °C; No.560S where it must be thinner | 0.05 mm polyester is the economical interlayer; 0.10 mm aramid paper survives winding pressure without splitting |
| Insulation that also carries mechanical load | No.540S | Highest tensile strength in the range at 589.2 N/25 mm |
| Harness wrap on tight radii and uneven bundles | No.570F | Acetate cloth conforms where a film would lift at the edge |
| Shielding or grounding | No.8323 for current; No.833 for heat | Copper carries current and solders; aluminium reflects radiant heat and does not solder |
| Rodents chewing harness insulation | No.4019-2317 | Capsaicin-treated PVC barrier — not an electrical insulation choice |
What this table does not tell you
It does not tell you which tape passes your customer's or your standard's requirement. UL temperature class, UL510 flame rating and CTI are separate claims; a tape can hold one and not another. The values here are typical reference values from the manufacturer, not guaranteed minimums, and they are measured under the conditions stated on each data sheet — thickness tolerance, surface energy and application pressure all move the real number.
Cite this table
This matrix may be quoted or reproduced for editorial, procurement or educational use with attribution. Suggested citation:
MLIDEAL, Electrical Tape Selection Matrix, https://www.mlideal.com/pages/electrical-tape-selection-matrix, updated 28 October 2026.
Last verified against manufacturer data sheets: 28 October 2026. If you spot a figure that disagrees with a current data sheet, tell us and we will correct it — the table is only worth citing while it stays accurate.
Electrical insulation tapes · EMI and conductive tapes · Plated copper foil guide
Wrapping a harness rather than insulating a conductor? The rodent tape guide covers the capsicum-treated harness tape (Honda 4019-2317 / Teraoka 347G), how far one 20 m roll goes at 50% overlap, and which spans actually need the wrap.