> On Jan 24, 2022, at 2:46 PM, Chuck Guzis via cctalk <cctalk@classiccmp.org>
> wrote:
>
> On 1/24/22 11:05, Paul Koning via cctalk wrote:
>
>> Looking at that spec some items pop out.
>>
>> The coating is quite thin, much thinner than the backing. Not too
>> surprising actually, if it were thick it would reduce the max possible bit
>> density.
>>
>> There is a coating wear spec (as a ratio of wear resistance relative to an
>> ordinary tape) but no other specs on the coating, such as solvent resistance.
>>
>> There also is no description of what the coating is. I also used to think
>> of DECtape "sandwich" tape as mylar/oxide/mylar, but the documentation
>> doesn't say that. And at a coating thickness of 0.04 mils, it clearly isn't
>> another mylar ribbon layer. It sounds more like some sort of sprayed-on
>> coating of some sort of abrasion-resistent material. It might well be
>> porous, which would be a possible explanation for the oxide coming off when
>> rubbed with solvent.
>
> I think you're pretty close on this. My guess was a lubricant coating;
> perhaps with some graphite included. It would make sense, as it, not
> the mylar base is the thing that gets the wear. I have to take a look
> at some 3M "Black Watch" 1/2" tape, which I (may, allowing for neuron
> rot) has a similar dark coating on the business side.
I thought Black Watch has coating on the back, as others mentioned. DECtape is
not black but brown, so graphite doesn't seem to be involved.
paul
