ECC Adhesive Cordura ("ECC Tape")

At a glance, this reads like grip tape. It isn't. ECC Tape is adhesive-backed Cordura: genuine 330 denier nylon fabric permanently bonded to a high-strength 3M pressure-sensitive adhesive. It's Cordura that happens to stick to things, which means the fabric's durability goes wherever you apply it.

ECC approached us with this project, and we fell in love with the product. We've been using it extensively over the past few months across our own gear, and it's earned a permanent place in our kit.

Once applied, it stays applied. It wraps, patches, lines, dampens, and conceals–and it holds up doing it.

ECC Tape is fully NIR compliant. Under night vision, it reads like the surrounding environment rather than presenting as a bright signature. 

Common applications:

A short and deliberately incomplete list:

Sound dampening on gear that rattles, rings, or clatters. Breaking up shape and sheen for improved concealment. Killing reflections off anything glossy enough to compromise your position. Cable management and strain relief. Adding grip and comfort to hard edges, controls, and handles. Emergency repairs to equipment or gear. 

Countless other applications, you'll identify the moment you have a roll in hand.

Adhesive Performance

This bonds aggressively to most surfaces, including low-surface-energy plastics like polypropylene, powder-coated finishes, and lightly oiled machine surfaces. We've even had success wrapping it around rubberized handles on common tools.

Peel adhesion (3M data, ASTM D3330): approximately 11-13 N/cm at 15 minutes, building to 14-15 N/cm after 72 hours as the bond fully develops. Service temperature: -40°F to 200°F sustained, with short-term tolerance to 300°F. Holds through humidity, UV exposure, water immersion, repeated temperature cycling, and contact with oils, mild acids, and mild alkalis.

Application Notes

Clean and dry the surface first. Isopropyl alcohol for plastics, MEK for metals. Apply firm, even pressure; a little heat (100-130°F) helps the adhesive flow into the surface for a stronger bond. Apply at room temperature when possible. Below 50°F the adhesive is slower to grab, though once bonded it performs fine in cold conditions. The bond continues to strengthen over the first 72 hours–allow it to fully set before placing it under load.

Specs

• Length: 10 yards
• Width: 24mm
• 330 denier Cordura nylon face, nylon backer
  
• 3M 300LSE high-strength acrylic adhesive (9472LE)
• Peel adhesion: ~11-13 N/cm at 15 min, up to 14-15 N/cm after 72 hrs (3M data, ASTM D3330)
• Service temp: -40°F to 200°F sustained, up to 300°F short-term
• Resists humidity, UV, water immersion, temperature cycling, oils, and mild acids/alkalis
• Fully NIR compliant

 

ECC tape works best with clean, dry surfaces.

Clean with Isopropyl alcohol for plastics, MEK for metals. Apply firm, even pressure; at room temperature when possible. A little heat (100-130°F) from a heat gun helps the adhesive flow into the surface for a stronger bond. Below 50°F the adhesive is slower to grab, though once bonded it performs fine in cold conditions. The bond continues to strengthen over the first 72 hours–allow it to fully set before placing it under load.

If wrapping around a handle, flatten and remove the adhesive backing as you go so the tape doesn't stick to itself. A gentle pull to keep the tape taut while you wrap makes it hug all the contours of your favorite tools.

When cutting the tape to shape or length, the tape is design to be cut and not torn like athletic tape. use a sharp blade (but be careful not to damage the surface beneath)