Item Brochure
3
How to Differentiate 3M
™
Surgical Tapes
All 3M surgical tapes have adhesives that are hypoallergenic and natural rubber latex free.
This table describes their characteristics in relationship to each other.
Characteristics
General category
Backing
Adhesion – initial*
Adhesion –
after 48 hrs
*
Conformability
Stretch
Breathability
MVTR = moisture vapour
transmission rate & porosity
Tearability
Water resistance
Gentleness
Repeated taping on adults
Residue
Depends on length of wear, temper-
ature, characteristics
of surface (increases with
oil, plastic tubing)
Shelf life
* See adhesion charts
3M
TM
Blenderm
TM
Tape
Plastic
Transparent
Polyethylene
Dry – moderate
Moist – low
Low
High
Moderate in all
directions
None
Easy, but ruffled
edge
Waterproof
Less Gentle
None – small
amount
5 years
3M
TM
Cloth
Adhesive Tape
Cloth
Woven cotton
Dry – very high
Moist – high
High
Moderate
Diagonal
High
Easy,
bi-directional
No
Less Gentle
Small amount
2 years
3M
TM
Durapore
TM
Tape
“Silk”
Taffeta acetate
Dry – high
Moist – high
Very High
Moderate
Diagonal
Low
Easy,
bi-directional
Water Resistant
Less Gentle
None – small
amount
5 years
3M
TM
Micropore
TM
Tape
Paper
Nonwoven rayon
Dry – low Moist
– high
Moderate
Moderate
Diagonal
Very High
Easy
No
Very Gentle
Small amount
5 years
3M
TM
Medipore
TM
H
Tape
Soft cloth
Polyester
Dry – high Moist
– moderate
Very High
High
Crosswise & Diagonal
High
Easy at perforations,
not lengthwise
Water Resistant
Very Gentle
None – small amount
3 years
3M
TM
Transpore
TM
Tape
Perforated plastic
Transparent Polyethylene
Dry – high Moist –
moderate
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate, more stretch if
narrow strips
Low
Very easy, bi-
directional
Water Resistant
Less Gentle
Moderate amount
3 years
3M
TM
Transpore
TM
White Tape
Blend
Polyester-rayon blend
Dry – high
Moist – moderate
Moderate
Moderate
Diagonal
High
Easy,
bi-directional
Water Resistant
Gentle
Small amount
3 years
3M
TM
Microfoam
TM
Tape
Foam/elastic
Closed cell PVC
Dry – low Moist –
low
Moderate
High
Crosswise, Lengthwise &
Diagonal
None
Easy
Water Resistant
Gentle
Small amount
3 years
3M
TM
Medipore
TM
Tape
Soft cloth
Polyester
Dry – moderate
Moist – moderate
High
High
Crosswise & Diagonal
High
Easy at perforations,
not lengthwise
Water Resistant
Less Gentle
None – small amount
3 years