3M™ 5490 Single-Sided Teflon® Tape

3M™ 5490 PTFE Teflon® Single-Sided Adhesive Tape: Optimal thermal resistance and non-stick performance

The 3M™ 5490 adhesive tape combines a PTFE Teflon® film with a high-performance silicone adhesive. The result is thermal resistance up to 260°C and exceptional non-stick properties on all surfaces.

It is suitable for the most demanding environments: thermal packaging, plastic welding, material guidance, and the food industry.

Reliable, durable, and easy to apply, this is the benchmark single-sided PTFE tape for your industrial applications.

Composition and technical specifications of the 3M™ 5490

Tape structure: PTFE film and silicone adhesive

The 3M™ 5490 is a single-sided tape made of a PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) film coated with a pressure-sensitive silicone adhesive. These two materials are chosen for their high-temperature performance and exceptional chemical stability.

The PTFE film forms the active side of the tape. It offers a naturally non-stick surface that is resistant to grease, solvents, and almost all aggressive chemical agents.

The silicone adhesive ensures reliable fixation on various substrates, even under extreme thermal conditions. Unlike conventional acrylic adhesives, it does not degrade under prolonged exposure to heat.

Key technical data

• Total thickness: approximately 0.18 mm
• Thermal resistance: from -73°C to +260°C continuous
• Dielectric strength: high, suitable for certain electrical insulation applications
• Color: translucent natural white (PTFE color)
• Elongation at break: low, the film remains dimensionally stable
• Tensile strength: approximately 490 N/100 mm

Product	Backing	Adhesive	Max. continuous temp.	Typical usage
3M™ 5490	PTFE film	Silicone	+260°C	Non-stick, thermal insulation
3M™ 5480	PTFE film	Silicone	+260°C	Non-stick, thinner version
3M™ 5451	Woven PTFE film (glass)	Silicone	+260°C	Sliding surfaces, conveyors
Kapton® 3M™ 5413	Polyimide film	Silicone	+260°C	Masking, fine electrical insulation

The 3M™ 5490 stands out for its pure PTFE film, which is smoother and more homogeneous than versions with a woven glass backing. This makes it the preferred choice for applications where the contact surface must be perfectly regular.

Functional properties: non-stick, thermal and chemical resistance

The 3M™ 5490 Teflon® tape is based on a PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) film coated with a high-performance silicone adhesive. This combination gives it particularly broad functional properties.

Its non-stick PTFE surface prevents glues, resins, molten plastics, and other materials from sticking. This is a decisive advantage for protecting guides, press platens, or welding surfaces.

Regarding temperature, the 5490 withstands continuous temperatures up to 260°C, with acceptable short-term peaks beyond that. It remains stable in both dry heat and the presence of steam.

Its chemical resistance is also remarkable: PTFE is inert to almost all common solvents, acids, and bases. It does not degrade upon contact with industrial oils or greases.

Here is a quick comparison with other PTFE tapes on the market:

Product	Backing	Adhesive	Max. temp (continuous)	Total thickness	Typical usage
3M™ 5490	PTFE film	Silicone	260°C	0.17 mm	Non-stick, thermal protection, welding
3M™ 5480	PTFE film	Silicone	260°C	0.08 mm	Fine applications, electronics
Nitto 903UL	PTFE film	Silicone	260°C	0.08 mm	Electrical insulation, light non-stick
Saint-Gobain Chemfab	PTFE fabric	Silicone	260°C	0.13-0.30 mm	Conveyors, presses, heavy-duty

The 3M™ 5490 stands out due to its intermediate thickness: more robust than the 5480, more flexible than a PTFE fabric. It is suitable for applications where both durability and conformability on irregular surfaces are necessary.

Industrial applications of 3M™ 5490 Teflon® tape

The 3M™ 5490 Teflon® tape is a leader in industrial environments where heat and adhesion are constant constraints.

Its PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) surface offers thermal resistance up to 260°C continuous. It handles repeated thermal cycles without degrading.

Here are the most common applications:

• Packaging and heat sealing: protecting welding jaws on packaging machines, prevents molten plastic buildup
• Food industry: coating for conveyors, molds, and baking sheets; facilitates release
• Printing and laminating: heating rollers and drums, prevents film sticking
• Electronics: masking during wave soldering or reflow operations
• Textile industry: guiding threads and fabrics over heated surfaces

The silicone backing ensures clean application and easy repositioning on most metal or composite substrates.

This tape is also notable for its dielectric properties, which are useful in high-temperature electrical insulation applications.

Product	Active face material	Max. continuous temp.	Adhesive	Primary usage
3M™ 5490	PTFE (Teflon®)	260°C	Silicone	Heat sealing, non-stick, insulation
3M™ 5480	PTFE (Teflon®)	260°C	Silicone	Similar applications, reduced thickness
3M™ 5451	PTFE-coated fiberglass	260°C	Silicone	Increased mechanical strength, conveyors
Nitto 903UL	PTFE	260°C	Silicone	Heat sealing, general high-temp usage

At Dagobert Industrie, we offer the 3M™ 5490 to meet the demands of the most challenging production lines.

Comparison: 3M™ 5490 tape versus other PTFE tapes on the market

The PTFE tape market offers several references. They are not all equal. Here is how the 3M™ 5490 positions itself against the competition.

Comparative table of major PTFE adhesive tapes

Reference	Manufacturer	Backing	Thermal resistance	Adhesive	Total thickness	Typical applications
5490	3M™	PTFE film (Teflon®)	up to 260°C	Silicone	0.18 mm	Packaging, welding, sliding
5491	3M™	PTFE film (Teflon®)	up to 260°C	Silicone	0.23 mm	High mechanical strength uses
5492	3M™	PTFE glass cloth	up to 260°C	Silicone	0.23 mm	Sliding surfaces, conveyors
UHMW 5421	3M™	UHMW polyethylene film	up to 65°C	Acrylic	0.43 mm	Low-temperature sliding
Tesa 51026	Tesa	PTFE film	up to 260°C	Silicone	0.13 mm	Packaging, thermal insulation
Norton PTFE	Saint-Gobain	PTFE glass cloth	up to 260°C	Silicone	0.25 mm	Conveyors, heat presses

The 3M™ 5490 is distinguished by its pure PTFE film, without textile reinforcement. It offers a perfectly smooth surface, ideal for non-stick and thermal insulation applications.

Compared to the 5492 (PTFE glass cloth), the 5490 is thinner and more flexible. It conforms better to curved or irregular surfaces.

Compared to the Tesa 51026, the 5490 offers a slightly greater thickness (0.18 mm vs 0.13 mm), which gives it better mechanical resistance to abrasion.

The 3M™ UHMW 5421 does not hold up in hot environments: limited to 65°C, it is not suitable for welding or heat-sealing machines. The 5490, however, handles 260°C continuously without failure.

Application and installation tips

Good surface preparation is essential before application. Thoroughly clean the substrate with a suitable solvent (isopropanol or acetone) to remove any traces of grease, dust, or moisture.

Apply the tape at room temperature, ideally between 15°C and 25°C. Below 10°C, the silicone adhesive loses flexibility and initial adhesion drops significantly.

Apply firm, uniform pressure along the entire length of the tape during installation. Use an applicator roller or the palm of your hand to push out air bubbles and ensure optimal contact with the substrate.

The 3M™ 5490 is easily cut with scissors or a utility knife. For clean and reproducible cuts, use a metal ruler and a rigid cutting surface.

Allow the adhesion build-up time to take effect: allow 24 to 72 hours before the first exposure to high temperature to obtain the best bonding performance.

• Do not stretch the tape during application: the PTFE film does not deform elastically.
• Avoid sharp angles less than 90° without slightly notching the tape at the fold.
• In case of overlapping, plan for an overlap of at least 5 mm to ensure the continuity of the thermal barrier.
• For curved surfaces, apply the tape in small successive sections to avoid wrinkles.

FAQ - 3M™ 5490 PTFE Teflon® Single-Sided Adhesive Tape

1. Up to what temperature can the 3M™ 5490 tape be used?

The 5490 tape supports a continuous temperature of up to 260°C. It can withstand even higher occasional peaks without degrading or losing its adhesion.

2. On what types of surfaces does this tape adhere well?

It adheres to clean, dry, and smooth surfaces: metal, glass, and some rigid plastics. The silicone adhesive offers good grip even at high temperatures, where an ordinary acrylic adhesive would peel off.

3. Can it be used in direct contact with food?

The PTFE (Teflon®) film is chemically inert and widely used in food packaging machinery. However, please verify that your application complies with current local regulations for direct food contact.

4. What is the difference between the 3M™ 5490 and the 3M™ 5491?

The 5490 is a single-sided tape: only one adhesive side, while the other side remains non-stick PTFE. The 3M™ 5491 is double-sided: both sides are adhesive, which meets different assembly needs.

5. Is the 3M™ 5490 tape resistant to chemicals?

Yes. The PTFE film is exceptionally resistant to solvents, acids, and bases. It is one of the most chemically inert materials available in adhesive tape form.

6. How can this tape be cut and applied cleanly?

Use a new blade or sharp scissors: PTFE is slippery and can deflect a dull blade. Apply firm, uniform pressure during application to ensure optimal contact of the silicone adhesive with the substrate.