Speed tape

Photo of speed tape used to patch a crack

Speed tape is an aluminium pressure-sensitive tape used to perform minor repairs on aircraft and racing cars. It is used as a temporary repair material until a more permanent repair can be carried out. It has an appearance similar to duct tape, for which it is sometimes mistaken, but its adhesive is capable of sticking on an airplane fuselage or wing at high speeds, giving it the common name.

History

Aluminum tape has been suggested for splicing wires, such as communications cables, since 1959. It was used for internal sound proofing in aircraft, such as the Convair 880, as early as 1960.

Properties

Depending on the adhesive layer used, it can be resistant to water, solvents, and, for brief periods, flames, and will reflect heat and UV light. It is also able to expand and contract through a wide range of temperatures.

Speed tape may be formed of soft aluminium with an adhesive layer, or a multi-layer laminate including aluminium and cloth in addition to an adhesive layer.

Use

Speed tape is sometimes used to protect sealant while curing, or to patch non-critical components of an aircraft. It can also be used for patching bullet damage to combat aircraft.

Typically, airlines avoid using speed tape on parts that are visible to passengers, so as not to cause concern, but its usage is unavoidable in some instances. In 2022 there were reports some Boeing 787 Dreamliner airplanes had issues with paint adhesion on their wings due to UV damage. The temporary solution recommended by Boeing was to apply speed tape to prevent paint peeling while the company was developing a permanent solution.

Use of speed tape should be authorized by engineering teams, and has to comply with certain requirements. Fines can be levied against airlines that use it to make improper repairs.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Smith, Patrick (27 October 2011). "Oh my god, they're duct-taping our plane!". Salon. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  2. ↑ "How to Splice Electric Cable". Railway Signaling and Communications. Vol. 52, no. 5. Bristol, Connecticut: Simmons-Boardman Publishing Corporation. May 1959. p. 29. Retrieved 4 August 2026 – via Google Books. Wrap aluminum shielding tape (3M #425) around the splice leaving about ¼ inch between turns.
  3. ↑ "Mile of Silve[r Ta]pe Makes Silence Golden Aboard 880 Jet". Western Aviation, Missile and Space Industries. Vol. 40, no. 10. Los Angeles, California: Western Aviation Magazine. October 1960. Retrieved 4 August 2026 – via Google Books. Two different types of this vibration-damping tape – "Scotch" brand No. 428 aluminum foil tape – are applied, each with a thicker adhesive and higher gauge foil backing than ever before adhered to an aircraft.
  4. 1 2 "Information: The good, the bad and the ugly". Salon. 31 July 2009. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  5. ↑ "Aluminum Foil Tape 425 • 427" (PDF). 3M. April 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 July 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
  6. ↑ "Aluminum Foil Tape And Liner Laminated With Cotton Cloth P-12L". Nitto Denko. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  7. ↑ Battle for the Falklands (3): Air Forces. Osprey Publishing. 1982. p. 22. ISBN 9780850454932.
  8. ↑ Bikales, James (6 October 2022). "What is speed tape? Why your plane's wing looks like it's patched up with duct tape". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  9. ↑ Phillips, Don (4 December 2002). "Improper Use of Tape to Fix Wings May Lead to FAA Fine for United". The Washington Post. Retrieved 28 April 2023.