3M 471 Alternative — CVT-636 Colored Vinyl Tape
3M 471 alternative — direct specification comparison of CVT-636 / CVT-660 (CVT636, CVT660) colored vinyl tape for OSHA color coding, lane marking, floor marking and plating masking. A-A-1689B Type II.
Want the short version? Read 3M 471 vs CVT-636: Which Vinyl Tape to Buy →
Overall comparison score
Full specifications comparison
| Property | CVT-636 | 3M #471 | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | |||
| Backing material | Matte soft PVC vinyl | Matte soft PVC vinyl | Tie |
| Thickness | 6.0 mil (0.15mm) | 5.2 mil (0.13mm) | Thicker |
| Adhesive type | Synthetic & natural rubber resin blend | Rubber resin | Tie |
| Colors available | 16 OSHA colors | Typically 8–10 colors | More colors |
| Surface finish | Matte (write-on capable) | Matte | Tie |
| Physical Properties | |||
| Adhesion to steel | 18 oz/in | ~16–18 oz/in (typical) | Comparable |
| Tensile strength | 14 lbs/in | ~18 lbs/in | 3M #471 |
| Elongation at break | 150% | ~200% | 3M #471 |
| Temperature range | −20°F to +140°F | −22°F to +140°F (typical) | Comparable |
| Moisture absorption | Less than 1.5% | Not published | Published spec |
| Metal corrosion | None | Not published | Published spec |
| Packaging & Value | |||
| Roll lengths available | 36 yd and 60 yd | 36 yd standard | Longer option |
| Core size | 3" neutral core | 3" core | Tie |
| Availability | Special order — contact for MOQ | In stock nationwide | 3M #471 |
| Price per roll | Significantly lower at distributor pricing | Premium brand pricing | CVT-636 |
| Compliance | |||
| A-A-1689B Type II | Conforms | Not published | CVT-636 |
| OSHA color compliance | Yes — 16 OSHA colors | Yes — standard colors | Tie |
Certifications & compliance
Where each product wins
CVT-636 advantages
- Thicker backing: 6.0 mil vs. 5.2 mil — more durable under floor traffic
- 16 OSHA colors vs. typically 8–10 for 3M 471 — more color coding flexibility
- 60-yard rolls available — fewer roll changes in high-volume applications
- A-A-1689B Type II conformance explicitly published
- Moisture absorption and corrosion specs published
- Significantly lower cost per roll at distributor pricing
- Available on 3" plastic cores (CVT-636P/660P) in 9 colors for certain dispensers
3M #471 advantages
- Higher tensile strength (~18 vs. 14 lbs/in) — better for high-tension applications
- Higher elongation (~200% vs. 150%) — more conformable around curves
- In stock at virtually every industrial distributor — zero lead time
- Extensively documented with decades of field performance data
- Strong brand recognition — easy to specify by name
Which tape to specify
| If your requirement is… | Specify | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum color selection — 16 OSHA colors | CVT-636 | 16 colors vs. typically 8–10 for 3M 471 |
| A-A-1689B Type II compliance required | CVT-636 | CVT-636 explicitly conforms; 3M 471 does not publish this |
| Cost reduction without sacrificing OSHA compliance | CVT-636 | Significantly lower distributor pricing vs. 3M premium brand |
| 60-yard rolls to reduce changeovers | CVT-636 | CVT-660 = 60 yd; 3M 471 standard is 36 yd |
| Immediate off-the-shelf availability | 3M #471 | CVT-636 is special order; 3M 471 stocked nationwide |
| High tensile strength for tension applications | 3M #471 | 3M 471 ~18 lbs/in vs. CVT-636 14 lbs/in tensile |
| High conformability around curves and edges | 3M #471 | 3M 471 ~200% elongation vs. CVT-636 150% |
ATP CVT-636 specifications from ATP Price List #34 v2024.08.15. 3M #471 specifications from 3M product data. CVT-636 is a special order product — contact Skytapes for minimum order quantities and lead times. Always verify compliance against your applicable specification before use.
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