3M™ Scotch® 8981 Packaging Tape

3M™ Scotch® 8981 Packaging Tape: high-performance reinforced adhesive tape

The Scotch® 8981 is a high-performance reinforced adhesive tape designed for heavy-duty packaging and demanding closures.

Its fiberglass reinforcement provides tear and tensile strength far superior to standard tapes.

Ideal for strapping, carton reinforcement, and securing heavy loads in industrial logistics.

Overview of the 3M™ Scotch® 8981 packaging tape

The 3M™ Scotch® 8981 is a reinforced packaging tape designed for demanding applications. It resists heavy loads, tearing, and harsh storage conditions.

At Dagobert Industrie, we recommend it for manual strapping, package reinforcement, and sealing boxes subjected to significant mechanical stress.

Composition and structure of the 8981 reinforced tape

The 8981 features a three-layer structure: a polyethylene film, a woven fiberglass reinforcement, and a high-performance acrylic adhesive.

The fiberglass is the heart of the product. It gives the tape exceptional tensile strength, with no significant elongation under load.

The acrylic adhesive provides immediate adhesion to cardboard, plastic, and metal. It remains stable between −10 °C and +60 °C, making it reliable in both warehouses and transport.

The polyethylene backing protects the tape from moisture and facilitates unwinding, even at a high pace.

Key structural points:

• Backing: polyethylene film moisture resistant
• Reinforcement: woven fiberglass longitudinal and transverse
• Adhesive: high-performance acrylic, immediate adhesion
• Tensile strength: up to approximately 150 N/cm depending on the direction
• Temperature range: −10 °C to +60 °C

Technical characteristics and typical properties of the Scotch® 8981

The 3M™ Scotch® 8981 Packaging Tape is a fiberglass-reinforced adhesive tape, designed for packaging and strapping applications requiring high mechanical strength.

Its fiberglass reinforcement gives it exceptional tensile strength. It does not tear under tension, even when packing heavy or bulky loads.

The adhesive is based on high-performance synthetic rubber. It adheres quickly and securely to most surfaces: cardboard, wood, metal, plastic.

Here are the typical technical properties of the Scotch® 8981:

• Tensile strength: approximately 130 N/cm
• Adhesion to backing: high, ideal for overlapping
• Total thickness: approximately 0.17 mm
• Backing: fiberglass-reinforced polyester
• Adhesive: synthetic rubber
• Temperature resistance: from -18 °C to +66 °C
• Manual tear: in the longitudinal direction only

Product	Backing	Tensile strength	Main use
3M™ Scotch® 8981	Fiberglass-reinforced polyester	~130 N/cm	Heavy packaging, strapping, palletizing
3M™ Scotch® 893	Fiberglass-reinforced polypropylene	~90 N/cm	Standard packaging, light repair
3M™ Scotch® 8915	Fiberglass-reinforced polyester (bi-directional)	~175 N/cm	High-strength strapping, very heavy loads
Tesa® 53317	Fiberglass-reinforced polyester	~120 N/cm	Industrial packaging, fixing

The Scotch® 8981 is an excellent compromise between strength and handling. It outperforms the 893 in tension while remaining more flexible to handle than the bi-directional 8915.

Applications and areas of use for the 3M™ 8981 reinforced tape

The 3M™ Scotch® 8981 packaging tape is designed for demanding applications where standard tape is insufficient. Its fiberglass reinforcement provides tear and tensile strength far superior to standard polypropylene tapes.

It is particularly suitable for sealing and strapping heavy packages. Large cartons, film-wrapped pallets, or industrial packaging hold together without peeling, even under stress.

In the moving and logistics sector, it is used to reinforce box corners, hold rolls or tubes together, and secure irregular loads.

It is also used for bundling metal parts or profiles in workshops. Its mechanical strength prevents any slipping during transport or storage.

Other common uses among our clients:

• Strapping pipes, cables, and conduits into bundles
• Temporary holding of parts during assembly
• Provisional repair of damaged crates or pallets
• Attaching corner protectors on furniture
• Reinforcing seams on packaging exposed to moisture

At Dagobert Industrie, we see this tape being popular in industrial environments, logistics warehouses, and manufacturing workshops. Its high performance makes it a reliable choice for anything that needs to hold over time.

Comparison: Scotch® 8981 vs. other reinforced packaging tapes on the market

The Scotch® 8981 is a filament-reinforced packaging tape from 3M. It stands out with its longitudinal glass filaments integrated into a polyester backing, giving it significantly higher tensile strength than standard tapes.

To put this product in context, here is a comparison with other common reinforced tapes on the market:

Product	Manufacturer	Backing	Reinforcement	Tensile strength	Main use
Scotch® 8981	3M	Polyester	Longitudinal glass filaments	Very high	Heavy packaging, strapping, carton reinforcement
Scotch® 893	3M	Polyester	Longitudinal + transverse glass filaments	Very high (bi-directional)	Palletizing, multi-directional heavy loads
Tesa® 4590	Tesa	Polyester	Longitudinal glass filaments	High	Industrial packaging, cable fixing
Standard PP packaging tape	Various	Polypropylene	None	Low to medium	Light to medium packaging

The Scotch® 8981 clearly positions itself in the high-performance uni-directional category. It is ideal when stress is applied length-wise: strapping, holding elongated loads, reinforcing carton edges.

The Scotch® 893 is superior if you need strength in both directions. However, for purely longitudinal use, the 8981 offers an excellent performance-to-ease-of-application ratio.

Compared to unreinforced PP tapes, the difference is clear: the 8981 resists tearing and does not yield under tension. It is the right choice for securing heavy packages or pallets without resorting to plastic strapping.

Usage tips and best practices for the 3M™ Scotch® 8981 tape

The 3M™ Scotch® 8981 reinforced tape is designed for demanding applications. A few simple precautions will help you get the most out of it.

Prepare the surface before application. It must be clean, dry, and free of dust or grease. An improperly prepared surface significantly reduces adhesion.

Apply the tape at a temperature between 10 °C and 40 °C. Below 10 °C, the acrylic adhesive loses efficiency and application becomes more difficult.

Apply firm and uniform pressure during application. Run your hand or an applicator roller along the entire length to fully activate the adhesive.

The 8981 can be torn by hand width-wise, but its reinforced polyester weave makes it very resistant to longitudinal tension. Do not attempt to cut it at an angle without appropriate tools.

For heavy or irregular packages, double-layer the tape on edges and stress points. This is where ruptures occur first.

Avoid exposing it to prolonged humidity or direct UV rays in the long term. The tape performs well in harsh conditions, but is not designed for permanent outdoor exposure.

Store rolls away from heat and light, ideally between 15 °C and 25 °C. Inappropriate storage alters the adhesive's properties before it is even applied.

FAQ - 3M™ Scotch® 8981 packaging tape

1. What is the 3M™ Scotch® 8981 tape used for?

The Scotch® 8981 is a high-performance reinforced packaging tape, designed for strapping, reinforcing heavy packages, and securing loads on pallets.

Its core of woven fiberglass gives it very high tensile strength, where standard packaging tape would fail.

2. How does it differ from a standard packaging tape?

Standard tape (e.g., Scotch® 309) is made of smooth polypropylene. It is suitable for light to medium packages.

The 8981 incorporates a reinforcement of glass filaments: it resists tearing, shearing, and supports much heavier loads without stretching.

3. Can it be used outdoors or in harsh conditions?

Yes. The Scotch® 8981 tolerates reasonable variations in humidity and temperature. It remains reliable in unheated warehouses or during exposed transport.

However, for prolonged UV exposure or extreme cold, specific solutions remain more suitable.

4. How do I cut the 8981 tape without tools?

Manual cutting is difficult due to the reinforced fiberglass. A utility knife or heavy-duty scissors are recommended.

For intensive use, a dispenser designed for reinforced tapes greatly facilitates cutting and unwinding.

5. Which surfaces does the 8981 tape adhere well to?

It adheres effectively to cardboard, wood, metal, and most rigid plastics. The surface must be clean, dry, and free of dust.

On porous or highly textured surfaces, slight manual pressure during application improves the bond.

6. Is the 3M™ Scotch® 8981 reusable?

No. Like almost all reinforced adhesive tapes, the 8981 is designed for single use. Removal generally damages the adhesive and the substrate.

Its strength remains its reliability on the first application, not reversibility.