Speed tape

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Aluminum tape for vehicle repairs

title: "Speed tape" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["adhesive-tape", "aircraft-components"] description: "Aluminum tape for vehicle repairs" topic_path: "general/adhesive-tape" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_tape" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Aluminum tape for vehicle repairs ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2c/Speed_tape.jpg" caption="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.

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.

Gallery

File:United Airbus A319 N841UA with speed tape after take off from Boston Feb 2025 3 MARKED.jpg|A patch of speed tape on a United Airlines Airbus A319 File:Speed tape on 787-9 wing.jpg|Several patches of speed tape on a Boeing 787 wing File:American Airbus A321 N156UW at Vancouver with speed tape June 2025 1.jpg|Several patches of speed tape on an Airbus A321

References

References

  1. "Aluminum Foil Tape 425 • 427". [[3M]].
  2. "Aluminum Foil Tape And Liner Laminated With Cotton Cloth P-12L". [[Nitto Denko]].
  3. Smith, Patrick. (27 October 2011). "Oh my god, they're duct-taping our plane!". Salon.
  4. (31 July 2009). "Information: The good, the bad and the ugly". Salon.
  5. (1982). "Battle for the Falklands (3): Air Forces". [[Osprey Publishing]].
  6. (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.
  7. Phillips, Don. (4 December 2002). "Improper Use of Tape to Fix Wings May Lead to FAA Fine for United". [[The Washington Post]].

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