How do you close the longitudinal joints and butt joints of T-FIT® Clean insulation without compromising the vapour barrier or fire performance? T-FIT® ZAXX9164 PVDF tape provides the answer: a pressure-sensitive adhesive with a PVDF film on the same material as the insulation, designed to be applied dry, without primer, on all elbow, tee, straight and box joints.

 

T-FIT® Clean brochure (PDF)

 

ZAXX9164 PVDF tape data sheet (associated consumable)

 

PSA tape, PVDF film on high-performance adhesive, 25.4 mm x 54.8 m, for joints and connections on T-FIT® Clean

 

Technical adhesive tape dedicated to T-FIT® Clean installations. 0.003-inch (76 µm) PVDF film on a 0.003-inch high-performance white adhesive layer, on a polymer liner. Total thickness 0.011 inch (280 µm). Standard width 1 inch (25.4 mm), length 60 yards (54.8 m), 3-inch plastic core. Specifically designed for the chemical resistance and fire behaviour of the T-FIT® range. PVDF film compliant with FDA 21 CFR 177.2510, 177.2600 and 177.1520.

 

What it is for

 

ZAXX9164 tape is the mandatory assembly consumable for the T-FIT® Clean range. It closes the longitudinal joints of straight tubes, secures butt joints between lengths, holds moulded elbows and tees in position, and seals the ends of valve or flange boxes. No other tape is validated by the supplier for these joints.

 

The PVDF film shares the material of the insulation: same polymer family, same fire performance, same behaviour in a cleanroom. The result: the joint does not become the weak link in the system. No Euroclass drift, no additional uncharacterised outgassing, no chemical incompatibility with the insulation’s PVDF.

 

Application: the tape is PSA, pressure-sensitive. It is activated only by constant pressure applied along the entire length of the wrap. In hot and humid environments, apply immediately after removing the liner to prevent premature drying of the adhesive. On elbows, apply diagonally at the throat, never on the inner fold.

 

On boxes fabricated from T-FIT® sheet, the tape can be cut to a 12.7 mm width to follow the tight radii of moulded elbows and tee branches.

 

References

 

Reference	Designation	Format
ZAXX9164	T-FIT® PVDF tape with PSA adhesive, solid liner (non-split)	25.4 mm x 54.8 m
ZAXX9164 split	Same tape, 50/50 split-back liner (to be confirmed)	25.4 mm x 54.8 m
ZAXX9525-01	Primer for preparing elbow joints before taping	To be confirmed

 

Characteristics

 

Characteristic	Value
Composition	PVDF film + high-performance white adhesive + polymer liner
PVDF film thickness	76 µm (0.003″)
Adhesive layer thickness	76 µm (0.003″)
Total thickness (liner included)	280 µm (0.011″)
Standard width	25.4 mm (1″)
Length per roll	54.8 m (60 yards)
Adhesive type	Pressure-sensitive (PSA)
Peel strength, 7 days at 21°C	10 PIW minimum average (reference ASTM D903 Al/Al)
Peel strength, 6 days at 120°F and 95-100% RH	15 PIW minimum average
Peel strength, 6 days at 160°F	18.5 PIW minimum average
Static creep, 24 h after ageing	1 inch/pound/inch average
Maximum film + adhesive temperature	100°C (212°F)
Recommended application temperature	15°C to 40°C (60°F to 105°F)
Storage conditions	5 to 32°C (40 to 90°F), original packaging
Shelf life	18 months from date of manufacture
PVDF film food compliance	FDA 21 CFR 177.2510 and 177.2600, 177.1520 (1%)

 

Frequently asked questions

 

Can another commercial aluminium or vinyl tape be used?

 

No. The fire performance of the T-FIT® Clean range (Euroclass B-s1,d0, ASTM E84 0/10, FM4910) is characterised with ZAXX9164. Substituting a standard aluminium or vinyl tape invalidates the fire classification of the system and introduces a potential chemical incompatibility with the insulation’s PVDF. The vapour barrier is no longer guaranteed either.

 

Is an adhesion primer needed?

 

On straight lengths and straight butt joints, no. On elbows, yes: prepare the joints with ZAXX9525-01 primer before applying the tape diagonally over both butt-joint ends. Never apply tape over the inner seam of an elbow.

 

How many metres of tape for X metres of insulation?

 

As a rough guide: for a 920 mm straight length, allow 1 longitudinal joint + 2 butt-joint wraps. Elbows and tees: allow a cut width of 12.7 mm. A practical sizing ratio is to be validated with the supplier according to the actual layout (number of fittings, DN, presence of valve boxes).

 

Water vapour resistance?

 

T-FIT® Clean is a closed-cell material with a µ value of 8,750 per ISO 1663:2007. No external vapour barrier is required if the joints and connections are correctly sealed with ZAXX9164 and the associated silicone sealant. The tape is the inseparable complement to the sealant.