Why Is Duct Tape So Strong?

Duct tapes were first invented by a female factory worker during World War II. They were originally called 'duck' tape because it was made out of a cotton duck fabric and it repelled water like a duck's back.
Following is a transcript of the video.
Narrator: Duct tape can hold just about anything together. We use it for all sorts of repairs and even as a decorative addition to various arts and crafts. But what makes duct tape so strong and versatile? And is it duct tape or duck tape? The tape was originally called duck tape because of its water-resistant qualities. It repelled water like a duck's back, and it used to be made out of a cotton duck fabric without any adhesive layers. But cotton duck fabric doesn't actually come from ducks. This is what it looks like. It's a strong fabric made from cotton, where the threads make a crisscross pattern. Known for being a strong material, the fabric was used to protect power cables and electrical conductors from corrosion. But the adhesive duct tape we know and love today didn't appear until World War II. A factory worker who was packaging ammunition sealed each box with tape and wax to make them waterproof. When the worker, Vesta Stout, saw soldiers struggling to open the boxes, she came up with an idea to seal the boxes with a strong, cloth-based, waterproof tape. Stout wrote a letter to FDR about her solution and a few weeks later, received word from the War Production Board that Johnson and Johnson would be manufacturing the tape. The tape became a military sensation. It was durable and easy to apply and remove by hand. After the war ended, duct tape turned up in hardware stores ready to help Americans with household repairs, too. It quickly became a useful tool for wrapping air ducts, which led to its other name, duct tape.
Ashley Luke: Duct tape used to be kind of a one-and-done silver tape that was essentially used for repairs. Our adhesive is specifically formulated to stick to a whole variety of different surfaces, and then basically the waterproof backing on top of that then protects the adhesive once it's applied to a surface.
Narrator: There are three main components that go into making the tape. Rubber for the adhesive, cloth, and backing. The rubber comes from rubber trees and arrives at the factory in large bales. A machine mixes the raw rubber along with various sticky resins until it reaches the consistency of pizza dough. Then, the mixture is heated to over 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Now the adhesive is ready to be added to the cloth and the backing. The cloth, sometimes called the scrim, lies in between the sticky rubber layer and that ubiquitous silver backing. It's made from cotton and is a key part of the tape. The cloth is what gives the tape its tensile strength. It makes it easy to hand tear and keeps the tape stuck to a surface once it's laid down. Finally, there's the backing. The backing is made from polyethylene, the same plastic material used to make bags and shampoo bottles. Once the backing is ready, all of the materials are put together.
Ashley Luke: So there's basically two ways that the backing can be incorporated into the tape: either laminated or co-extrusion. The co-extrusion basically melds together the backing, the cloth, and then the adhesive. So it gives you a stronger tape that won't delaminate. It's gonna be really good in different weather applications.
Narrator: Once the layers are combined, the strength of the cloth and the plastic-like nature of the backing combine to give the tape the strength and durability we know and love. The tape comes out in one jumbo roll that weighs over a ton. Each giant roll can produce over 30,000 small rolls. To get it to a smaller size, the roll is sliced into strips. Then, the smaller tape strips are put into cores and rerolled. Finally, the tapes are placed in their final packaging, sent down the conveyor belt, and put into boxes for shipment. Since its debut, duct tape has exploded in popularity. Today, we use it to make flowers, bags, wallets, science projects, and various DIY crafts. Unlike your masking tapes, scotch tapes, painter's tape, and other single-use tapes, duct tape has a long history of being used for just about anything. By simply putting fabric and adhesive together, Vesta Stout may have created one of the most useful and strongest inventions we have today.
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[@JustinY.]

Level 1 Duct Tape Level 35 Flex Tape That's how tape works

[@stisti01]

U again i saw u erlier dis day

[@Fictional_Reality]

next: nut tape

[@elladavidsson1867]

I hate you😐

[@kyanlte]

Justin Y. Level 100 Flex Tape Clear

[@Success.777]

K!tten :3 clearly y’all don’t know about the world record thinnest tape

[@kennethnguyen694]

Voiceover sounds like a 6th grade final project

[@Professional_Youtube_Commenter]

yeah, and the duck tape lady Ashley Luke has that annoying inflection at the end if the sentence that makes her sound so dumb.

[@CsykKrit]

@@Professional_KZbin_Commenter what? You don't like every sentence ending in a rising inflection? Like every sentence is a question? It makes her sound so smart? She needs to carpet bomb her speech with 'like' more often though?

[@purpleezah5382]

He is talking about her accent, I hate it 2.

[@purpleezah5382]

2:03 the adhesaahf 2:06 surfaahs

[@jeffstock7819]

@@CsykKrit Don't forget to add? Like, really bad vocal fry?

[@benjaminsmith3080]

A lot of people say “oh duct tape can’t hold marriages together”. It can, my parents are tied up in the attic! Never been a stronger tape!!! 10/10

[@pilchardpliskin9381]

stop your parents from splitting up by taping them together

[@switzerland1394]

Hol' up

[@benjaminsmith3080]

@@switzerland1394 bro it’s been two years wtf

[@switzerland1394]

@@benjaminsmith3080 sorry I'm late to the party. Anyways how are ya?

[@stormbob]

The narration sounds like an 8th grader's presentation project for Speech class.

[@jusin5482]

She sounds like this is the 150th take

[@Mark-gl3os]

I once saw a red 2014 Toyota Corolla with its passenger door duct taped on...it was a magnificent sight.

[@vtheteenagewitch]

What’s flex tape? Edit * how does it flex tape differ from duct tape in terms of durability and strength?

[@nicolasmitrovic5129]

It's tape

[@vtheteenagewitch]

Yes, but how does it differ from duct tape in terms of durability ?!

[@technosaber9281]

@@vtheteenagewitch you can saw anything in half and stick it back using flex tape

[@ceciliahewitt1953]

Basically flex tape is better.

[@MikaDR]

Patch, bond, seal and repair with flex tape!

[@heydayASMR]

Duck tape doesn't even work anymore and I used the last of the roll I had fro 10 years ago. The new stuff is like masking tape

[@epicool6527]

Use more duct tape.

[@heydayASMR]

@@epicool6527 I tried but I swear the only thing it sticks to is itself 😁

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

Phil Swift: You call that strong?

[@l2abbrev.167]

The voice over sounds like a high school research project lol

[@rich1051414]

Tape for ducting is more commonly a metal foil backed tape, not the plastic backed we think of as duck tape, so as strange as it seems, i think 'duck tape' is more correct than 'duct tape'.

[@DTreatz]

2:26 Cmon.... I *CAN'T* be the only one... 🤣🤣😂😂

[@evaristegalois6282]

*_Phil Swift would like to know your location !_*

[@lkajsdflkasjdf1597]

Inside your house.

[@ArroyoAirsoft]

If its so popular, why hasnt it gone down in price? 7.99$ a role? Come on boiii

[@andyruse4670]

Arroyo Airsoft depends on where you buy it. Get gorilla, get a big price tag. Go generic, it’s under $5 a roll.

[@matthewdavis3921]

Wow! That's awesome. I learn something good. Thank you....

[@vrooom2936]

0:01 what's that? No, I am not twelve. okay, bye

[@anonymous19471]

Vrooom finally someone else who saw it too 🤣🤣🤣

[@elizabethmoore2755]

What?

[@candice_ecidnac]

They're making dick tape. A typo caused a manufacturing mistake.

[@BobMcCoy]

*_Flex Tape jokes incoming_*

[@andicarusfell8387]

_Bob McCoy __*_Lisa Guerrero would confront the flex tape_*

[@bloodshapedbox]

Title: Why is Duct Tape so strong? Me: **puts glasses on** Title: Why is Flex Tape so strong Me: weird *FLEX* but OK that's how Mafia works

[@disheartenment7960]

Hahahha

[@eidolor]

Bonus points for the Les Stroud clips

[@jamesrustles8670]

Brilliant script reading it was so natural I could hardly tell

[@ShaShanDIY]

This is interesting! 💙

[@hudaxxartistae2585]

Sha&Shan DIY I hv seen u on wengie's channel as well as how to slime(wengie's slime channel)

[@punkywozza4330]

Duck Tape is magic and should be worshiped

[@Roycutsnfishes]

So how does it not stick to itself on the roll ? Yeah the backing but how ? What chemical keeps it from sticking to itself on the roll or any rolled adhesive for that matter?

[@jacobhanekamp2534]

Another name for Duct Tape is Gaff Tape (I cant spell) because Gaffers (the people who work the lights at movie shoots) (again, cant spell) used to use it to keep the lights secure. (Keyword: Used to)

[@MattFowlerBTR]

The professional gaff tape I'm used to isn't the same as duck/duct tape - gaffers tape tends to be a matte fabric top (not plastic-coated) and the adhesive is intended to be removable with less risk of leaving sticky residue or damaging the surface. It's not so much about holding the lights up as it is wrangling cables (taping them to the floor to remove trip hazards, etc.). Black matte gaff tape "disappears" well without risking reflecting light the way shiny plastic-topped duck tape might, brightly-coloured gaff tape takes permanent-marker ink superbly well for labelling things.

[@riksen1518]

*insert flex tape comment*

[@stisti01]

Thats a lot of damage

[@HOPPIRI]

Weird flex, but okay.

[@theultimatereductionist7592]

"Easy to hand tear" ARE YOU F'IN KIDDIN' ME?!!

[@kikrukhrielie8727]

one of the most important thing you've missed out...some people use duct tape to fix their car door!! some genius pilots even used in fixing their plane wings...true story!!

[@jonaspozolopez2612]

duck tape can’t hold my heart together... learned that the hard way.

[@oneeco]

"Why is Duct Tape so Strong?" Flex Tape: *_Hold my adhesive_*

[@lolll3360]

Lord knows why I just watched a video about tape but gotta say I loved the video 😁✌️👍

[@Butt--Head]

*Duct tape, the spork, & the flesh light are the 3 most important items man ever created*

[@bltmiy]

give it up to ducK and Decent dang brand of tape and to industrial maintaining Workers to.

[@simonrichert1886]

Absolutely agree buddy. Duct tape is the best. I am such a nerd that I have a standard roll of tape, 3 inch tape and the impressive 7 inch wide tape... Every based covered

[@jaiyash0]

2:26 when she touches you just right

[@pil3driverwaltz164]

Wow that was so interesting

[@robotslug]

The vocal fry in this video is intense.

[@Ozweego412]

Not to mention the up speak!

[@account7217]

Do one for fencing blades

[@Danielevans2]

2:13 *LEGIT DIDN'T KNOW RUBBER CAME FROM RUBBER TREES* 😂

[@rduncan89]

I've had the same duck tape covering holes in my dodge 2500 since purchase 6 years ago.

[@user-ex9ti7ds3m]

Would hemp cloth duck tape be stronger?

[@cleofassurryawanahi2205]

Amazing Tape ...

[@aliceangelz6647]

if only duck tape can hold my life together

[@tillysmith6563]

Why tf did I just spend 4minutes watching this

[@Farmboy1544]

Red Green should have done the narration for this. Handy mans secret weapon.

[@renatoantelo5822]

Awesome!

[@krissimonis3604]

Duct Tape is like the force, it has a light side, a dark side, and it keeps everything together.

[@MarcoMazziniYT]

1:52 didn't know Cher became a manager at Duck.

[@goldenscarecrow]

Sounds classier with the British accent of how it’s made

[@darkcornholio]

War production board: Dear Vesta Stout It's a good idea. We'll take it from here. Thanks.

[@osmanliimparatorlugu582]

This should be called why is flex tape so strong

[@niller2906]

But can it hold my relationship together? 😂

[@marisolaguilar7361]

Interesting

[@sp-k]

Flex tape is better.

[@karlisozols5986]

It's 2am and I'm watching videos about duck tape.... I should reconsider my life choices...

[@frankbullitt4556]

very cool

[@MidnightCravings]

*Seems like almost every house has a duck tape*

[@Thiago100Zwetsch]

In Brazil we use to know it as Silver Tape.

[@speaklifegardenhomesteadpe8783]

I must have that giant roll. I'll take three. Thank you. 😁

[@clayface6485]

was the guy painting using duct tape for taping

[@comblee9968]

This kind of video is why I sub.

[@Rygoat]

We should pave our roads with those giant rolls

[@intencityfan]

that's cool, I had never heard of the inventor

[@thelibyanplzcomeback]

0:02 except for my relationships...

[@suryaj4928]

And still my country does not have duct tapes or duck tapes Edit: we use cello tape

[@dexterjohn1887]

2:25 Are you thinking what im thinking?😂

[@Snowy123]

*On the International Space Station* "Uhhh Huston we have an oxygen leak" "Just put ducktape on it"

[@richajones6699]

I thought it’s called duck tape because when you unravel it,it makes a duck sound

[@wilmerburuca2367]

mark my words this video is gonna have millions of views!!!

[@softshore]

0:01 *insert "That's a penis" meme*

[@i_haz_no_comments4775]

Duct tape: strong Flex tape: *hold my beer*

[@funko9998]

-Duct- Tape, Duck Tape It's Made out of Ducks

[@capt.peehype]

Her name is Vesta Stoudt not Vesta Stout. Now I know it might have just been an error but still, the name is quite important in a vid like this.

[@dz1ak695]

They used duct tape to lift that huge roll of duct tape up

[@sixfootdworf9545]

Dang... the things I would do for a roll that size in the thub nail.

[@malks9537]

Is it better than flex tape tho

[@lordnodob7338]

Its like the plumbus advertise

[@kyutiichuchu]

*It even works underwater*

[@meeehmeeheheh9318]

200 degrees that’s why they call me mister fahrenheit

[@mattmccoy2410]

Gotta love that tape

[@ch_dn]

Ah... late at night... the time when a speck of dust becomes interesting.... I am learning how duct tape is made while I procrastinate everything else in life... help

[@__-pl3jg]

The story of Duct Tapes invention would make a great Drunk History episode.

[@nani2nani]

THE DUCT WALKS UP TO THE LEMONADE STAND

[@imanueleka1915]

Neng ndesoku jeneng'e lakban. Mboh kuwi sing bening opo sing ireng yo jeneng'e lakban.

[@b.n.lassiter9121]

Duck tape: cover waterproof Flex Tape: Everything waterproof

[@Flavio617]

where are all my macgyver's we know this is the essential tool LOL

[@thepariid]

0:33 What did the man say?

[@thebreakz9349]

Thought it was called duck tape cause when you peel it fast it sounds like "quuaaAAKKKK" like a duck

[@CheeseBurrito]

Use it on iPhones to make it water proof

[@EpicThe112]

Not recommended for using a parachute because if you were watching Mythbusters Junior you can die from it if you make a parachute out of this in the first few seasons they actually stated that the original purpose for this tape was actually sealing single up an ammo box

[@Kastyc]

0:13 what makes it so strong? Proceeds to rip it in half

[@xenoz4884]

Who else wanted to comment something about the ad then remember everyone gets different ads?

[@skylermp7615]

How is flex tape made?!

[@sophiedelanoche8006]

I was about about to comment something with Flex Tape... Justin Y. beat me to it... And this kids is why you don’t go to school: Even if you try, You’ll always fail.

[@kuttmowf]

2:26 looks kind of odd. Lol😂

[@ashleygriffin5665]

I can HEAR the tape in this video just from watching it and it’s making my skin crawl lol

[@azistars]

What about flex tape?

[@006haloman]

Why does the announcer sound like a high school kid trying to read a report in class?

[@9HighFlyer9]

So the story on Duck Tapes website is different.

[@laurenwaters7300]

Did she say the sticky materials come from rubber trees

[@aikusan1727]

Duck Tape can hold the world together.

[@plushbabyworld]

Silence is golden Duct tape is silver (or any other color nowadays)

[@shahedn9045]

No War = No Duct Tape

[@Kinfizo]

*Now thats alot of damage*

[@candice_ecidnac]

a lot*