An ode or two to Duct tape

[Mark Siddall]

Which tape on ducts?
Duct tape on ducts!
It makes good sense:
Duct tape on ducts.
Should we use duct tape on ducts?
A rig we built to quickly test,
Which kind of seal would be the best.
First cold & hot then hot and cold,
Soon we’d make the sealants old.
Blow hot & cold; blow cold and hot,
Most seals did work, but duct tape not!
The cloth will hold; the goo will stick,
Until the heat makes duct tape slip.
We should not use duct tape on ducts.
We should not use it; ‘twon’t stay stuck.

by Max Sherman research scientist at LBL, California

[Mark Siddall]

Oh! Duct tape you like, so you say.
Use it, Use it. Find a way.
Use it, Find a way, I say!
Can we use it on a mouse?
Can we use it in the house?
Can we use it here or there?
Can we use it anywhere?
You can use it on a mouse.
You can use it in the house.
You can use it here and there!
You can use it (‘most) anywhere.
To close a jar or tie a goat.
To fix a car or patch a boat.
To seal a box or in a train
You may use it, that is plain
For all such use, duct tape is great,
But for one we hesitate.
You should not use duct tape on ducts.
You should not use it; ‘twon’t stay stuck!

by Max Sherman research scientist at LBL, California

[Nick Grant]

Very nice!

What should we use?

Also very useful if you are always getting cat hairs on your smart clothes and furnishings. Simply wrap the cat in duct tape….

[Mark Siddall]

These would be a good start:

Lindab Safe (http://www.lindab.com/click/)
Flaktwoods Veloduct (http://www.flaktwoods.com/189/2715/1/706fa8bf-0e52-4b58-85d4-a74ae523f3bc)

They have an EPDM gasket seal to the joints. Costs a little more but reduces installation time also and has long term performance benefit. Not very helpful with the cat fluff though…

For more the research and the reporting of the research on the evil that is duct tape (if used on ducts):
http://lbl.gov/Science-Articles/Archive/duct-tape-HVAC.html
http://epb.lbl.gov/Publications/lbnl-45423.pdf
http://epb.lbl.gov/publications/lbnl-43381.pdf
http://ducts.lbl.gov/ducttape/
http://ducts.lbl.gov/

(Modified as a noticed that some links didn't work – oops. Should be fine now.)

[Mark Siddall]

A 'good' use for duct tape – http://www.ducttapefashion.com/

[Mark Siddall]

Theory: If EDPM is a good air seal for interfaces between buildings and ducts perhaps the same approach can be used between rigid and semi-rigid acoustic ducts (EPDM is the gasket for Lindab Safe after all.)

Proposal: How about an EPDM collar for tricky duct connections? Here's an example of the kind of thing that I'm thinking of – only problem is that in this case the dia is not as large as we'd need.
http://solutions.3m.co.uk/wps/portal/3M/en_GB/ElectricalMkts/ElectricalSupplies/ProductInfo/ECatalogue/ColdShrinkTubesandEndCaps/ColdShrinkTubeRubber/

An alternative: Quick sleeve – from the USA but interesting!
http://www.ductmate.com/products/quicksleeve.asp

Mark

[Tom Foster]

Why try to misuse this veterinary product, when it works so well on ducks?

[SimmondsMills]

The invitation was too tempting – I too like duct tape: http://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/d/duct_tape.asp

three are funny (ish) but then I am trying to distract myself from the awful prospect of a minority ######government being elected, ready to take this country into areas of inequality it has only toyed with …….

[Anonymous]

channel 4's lot are being suitably irreverent …

[SimmondsMills]

I guess Duct tape will have its uses in a Coalition Government – either to bind Dave and Nick or at perhaps to hold together those dodgy privately funded nuclear power plants…

[Mark Siddall]

I don't think that SIGA is designed for high temps – it would be best to check before going down this route.

In the mean time this link may be of interest:
http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/musings/sealing-ducts-what-s-better-tape-or-mastic

Mark

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