AMS-T-23397B Aluminum Foil Tape Guide
AMS-T-23397B Aluminum Foil Tape — Speed Tape & Paint-Strip Masking
What SAE AMS-T-23397B covers, how it relates to the old MIL-T-23397 and L-T-80B, and the two dead-soft aluminum foil tapes we stock that meet it — free US shipping, from $28.99 a roll.
SAE AMS-T-23397B is the aerospace specification for pressure-sensitive aluminum foil tape — best known as aircraft speed tape, and as the foil masking tape used during chemical paint stripping. It is a dead-soft aluminum foil backing with an aggressive acrylic adhesive that conforms to curved and irregular surfaces, resists solvents and high heat, and removes cleanly. We stock two products listed to it: the Polyken 345SW and the Intertape ALF300. New to foil tape? Start with the plain-language explainer, What Is Aircraft Speed Tape?
Verify: 345SW data sheet (PDF) · SAE AMS-T-23397B · L-T-80B · UL 723
Verify: ALF300 data sheet (PDF) · SAE AMS-T-23397B Type II · L-T-80B · UL 723
Already know which roll you need? Browse every aluminum foil tape we stock.
Aluminum Foil Tapes →What AMS-T-23397B is, and the specs it replaced
The specification has a long government lineage, which is why several callout numbers get used interchangeably for the same foil tape:
The current document, maintained by SAE International and titled Tapes, Pressure Sensitive Adhesive, for Masking During Paint Stripping Operations. It was issued 1 July 1998 as part of the move of military specifications to industry standards bodies.
The original military specification, now cancelled. Older drawings and NSN catalog entries still reference it, and many data sheets list both the MIL and the SAE numbers side by side.
A federal specification for aluminum foil pressure-sensitive tape, frequently listed alongside AMS-T-23397B. Both of the tapes on this page carry it.
SAE's document is numbered AMS-T-23397, but industry data sheets and government part catalogs almost always write it AMS-T-23397B. In practice both refer to the same foil tape requirement — if your drawing cites one and a data sheet the other, ask us and we'll confirm with the manufacturer.
Speed tape and masking foil — one product, two jobs. The specification is formally titled for masking during paint-stripping operations, but manufacturers list these same dead-soft foil tapes for that masking role and for general aircraft speed-tape use: temporary surface repair, heat shielding, window masking and duct sealing. Both products here name those uses on their data sheets.
A note on aerodynamic "speed tape." Speed tape is a shop term, not a controlled specification. Where a repair is governed by the airframe maintenance manual or a structural repair manual, that manual's specified tape and procedure take precedence. Use AMS-T-23397B foil tape only where it is the approved material for the task — send us the callout if you need help matching it.
Types under the specification
The specification distinguishes tape types by construction. Here is what each of our two data sheets actually says — and where they differ in how much they spell out:
| Intertape ALF300 | Its data sheet names the type explicitly: SAE AMS-T-23397B Type II. Government part catalog entries for ALF300 part numbers also list "AMS-T-23397B TY2". |
| Polyken 345SW | Its data sheet cites SAE AMS-T-23397B along with MIL-T-23397A & B and L-T-80B, but does not print a type designation. Third-party listings describe it as Type II; we have not confirmed that against the manufacturer. |
If your drawing calls out a Type, tell us before you order. We can confirm the type designation in writing with the manufacturer, and supply the Certificate of Conformance that states it, rather than leaving you to infer it from a data sheet that does not print one.
Polyken 345SW vs Intertape ALF300
Both are dead-soft aluminum foil with an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive. The practical difference is foil thickness. Values are typical, from the current manufacturer data sheets linked in the cards above.
| Property | Polyken 345SW | Intertape ALF300 |
|---|---|---|
| Backing | Dead-soft aluminum foil | Aluminum foil |
| Adhesive | Acrylic, pressure sensitive | Acrylic, pressure sensitive — high tack |
| Total thickness | 5.0 mil (127 µ) | 3.0 mil |
| Foil thickness | 3.0 mil (76.2 µ) | — |
| Liner | None (self-wound) | None (self-wound) |
| Adhesion to steelPSTC-101 | 68 oz/in | — |
| Tensile strengthPSTC-131 | 26 lb/in | — |
| Elongation | 3% | — |
| Operating temperature | −40 to 350°F (−40 to 177°C) | — |
| Minimum application temp | — | 35°F |
| SAE AMS-T-23397B | ✓ | ✓ Type II |
| FAR 25.853(a) | ✓ | ✓ |
| L-T-80B | ✓ | ✓ |
| MIL-T-23397A & B | ✓ | — |
| UL 723 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boeing BAC D6-34501 | — | ✓ Rev. H |
| Widths stocked | 1″, 2″ × 60 yd | 1″, 2″ × 60 yd |
| Price from | $28.99 | $28.99 |
Scroll the table sideways on a phone.
A cell marked "—" means the value is not published on the data sheet we hold, not that the tape failed a test. Ask us and we will pull the figure from the manufacturer directly.
Which one should I choose? For tight curves and precise placement, the thinner 3.0 mil ALF300 lays down more easily. For heavier-duty masking, heat shielding and vapor-barrier sealing where a more robust foil helps, the 5.0 mil 345SW is the pick. Both are listed to AMS-T-23397B and both start at the same price — if your drawing specifies a foil thickness or a Type, match that first.
Common applications
Per the manufacturer data sheets, AMS-T-23397B foil tapes are used for:
| Paint-strip masking | Masking aircraft surfaces during chemical paint stripping; underlay for PMB blast (dry-strip) processes |
| Window / canopy masking | Protecting windshields, canopies and passenger windows from hazing or crazing during stripping |
| Speed tape / surface repair | Temporary cosmetic and surface repair, where approved by the maintenance manual |
| Heat shielding | Reflecting heat and minimizing hot spots and heat transfer |
| Vapor-barrier sealing | Sealing sheet metal, fiberglass and flexible duct; moisture, air and corrosion barrier |
| Electroplating | Masking during electroplating of aluminum |
What AMS-T-23397B foil tape costs
Both tapes are supplied on 60-yard rolls in 1″ and 2″ widths, singly or in quantity packs. Single-roll and small-pack pricing is identical across the two products; only the case pricing differs.
| Width (60 yd) | 1 roll | 3 rolls | 8 rolls | Full case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 345SW — 1″ | $28.99 | $26.09/roll | $23.19/roll | $17.39/roll 36 rolls · $626.18 |
| 345SW — 2″ | $58.99 | $53.09/roll | $47.19/roll | $35.39/roll 24 rolls · $849.46 |
| ALF300 — 1″ | $28.99 | $26.09/roll | $23.19/roll | $19.43/roll 36 rolls · $699.50 |
| ALF300 — 2″ | $58.99 | $53.09/roll | $47.19/roll | $35.39/roll 24 rolls · $849.46 |
Scroll the table sideways on a phone. Per-roll figures are the pack price divided by the roll count.
Buying a case takes roughly 33–40% off the single-roll price. Prices are the listed prices at the time of writing and can change — confirm on the product page, or ask us for a quantity that is not listed.
Get pricing, lead time and a Certificate of Conformance
Send us these five things and we'll come back with the right foil tape, stocked widths, lead time and pricing. A Certificate of Conformance is included with every order where available.
- Spec callout, including Type
- Foil thickness, if specified
- Width
- Quantity or case count
- Required delivery date
Need the data sheets, or want to see how this specification sits among the others?
Data Sheets → Specs Page →Frequently asked questions
What is AMS-T-23397B?
SAE AMS-T-23397B is the aerospace specification for pressure-sensitive aluminum foil tape used for masking during paint-stripping operations, and as general aircraft foil tape. SAE issued the document on 1 July 1998, and it took over from the cancelled military specification MIL-T-23397B, which older drawings still reference.
Is AMS-T-23397B the same as aircraft speed tape?
The same dead-soft aluminum foil tapes listed to AMS-T-23397B are commonly used as aircraft speed tape for temporary surface repair, alongside their paint-strip masking role. Speed tape is a shop term rather than a controlled specification, so always follow the airframe maintenance manual or structural repair manual for any repair.
What is the difference between Polyken 345SW and Intertape ALF300?
Both are dead-soft aluminum foil tapes with acrylic adhesive listed to AMS-T-23397B, and both are self-wound with no liner. The Polyken 345SW is the heavier of the two at 5.0 mil total on a 3.0 mil foil, rated −40°F to 350°F and suited to heavier-duty masking and heat shielding. The Intertape ALF300 is a thinner 3.0 mil foil that conforms more readily to tight contours. Both start at the same price.
Which of these tapes is Type II?
The Intertape ALF300 data sheet names SAE AMS-T-23397B Type II explicitly. The Polyken 345SW data sheet cites the specification without printing a type designation. If your drawing calls out a Type, send it to us and we will confirm the designation with the manufacturer before you order.
Does AMS-T-23397B foil tape meet FAA flammability requirements?
Both the Polyken 345SW and Intertape ALF300 are tested to FAR 25.853(a), the FAA interior flammability vertical-burn criteria. See our FAR 25.853 guide for what that test involves, and confirm current values on each product's data sheet.
What older specs does AMS-T-23397B replace?
It took over from MIL-T-23397A and B, which are now cancelled. It is frequently listed alongside the federal specification L-T-80B, which both of our foil tapes also carry. Older drawings may still reference the MIL or L-T numbers for the same aluminum foil tape.
How much does AMS-T-23397B aluminum foil tape cost?
A single 60-yard roll starts at $28.99 for 1 inch and $58.99 for 2 inch, with the same single-roll price on both the Polyken 345SW and the Intertape ALF300. Quantity packs and full cases take roughly 33 to 40 percent off the per-roll price. Prices can change, so confirm on the product page.
Why is it written AMS-T-23397 in some places and AMS-T-23397B in others?
SAE's document is numbered AMS-T-23397. Manufacturer data sheets and government part catalogs almost always write it AMS-T-23397B, carrying over the revision letter from the military specification. In practice both point to the same foil tape requirement, but if your drawing cites one and a data sheet the other, ask us and we will confirm with the manufacturer.
Can I use hardware-store aluminum foil tape instead?
Not for aerospace work. HVAC and hardware-store foil tapes are not listed to AMS-T-23397B, are not tested to FAR 25.853(a), and ship with no Certificate of Conformance. The paperwork is the difference: without a spec listing and a certificate, there is nothing to put in the aircraft record. The foil may look identical on the roll and behave nothing like it under heat, solvent and airflow.
Does AMS-T-23397B foil tape have a release liner?
Neither of the tapes we stock has one. Both the Polyken 345SW and the Intertape ALF300 are self-wound, so the tape dispenses straight off the roll with no liner to strip or discard. That matters on a stripping line, where liner waste has to be collected and kept out of the chemical bath.
What temperature can AMS-T-23397B foil tape withstand?
The Polyken 345SW data sheet gives an operating range of −40°F to 350°F (−40°C to 177°C). The Intertape ALF300 sheet does not publish an operating range but gives a minimum application temperature of 35°F. If your process has a specific temperature requirement, send it to us and we will confirm the figure with the manufacturer rather than have you work from a range the sheet does not state.
What widths and roll lengths are available?
Both tapes are stocked in 1 inch and 2 inch widths on 60-yard rolls, as single rolls, 3 and 8 packs, or full cases. Wider and narrower slit widths are often available on a lead time — tell us the width your drawing or process calls for and we will confirm availability and pricing.
Does aluminum foil tape come with a Certificate of Conformance?
A Certificate of Conformance is included with every order where available. The certificate is what ties the roll you received to the specification your drawing calls out, so tell us the callout when you order and we will make sure the paperwork names it.
Need an AMS-T-23397B quote or a cross-reference?
Send us the spec or Type called out on your drawing, plus the width and quantity you need, and we'll confirm the right foil tape, stocked sizes, lead time and pricing. A Certificate of Conformance is included with every order where available.
Get Pricing, Lead Time & COC →Specification details are provided for reference and are drawn from the current Polyken 345SW and Intertape ALF300 technical data sheets, which are the controlling sources. SAE and AMS are trademarks of SAE International; MIL and L-T specifications are U.S. Government documents; Boeing and BAC are trademarks of The Boeing Company; UL is a trademark of UL LLC; Polyken is a brand of Berry Global; other marks belong to their respective owners. "Speed tape" is a general industry term and not a controlled specification. Typical test values are stated at time of manufacture and are not for use in writing specifications. Prices shown are the listed prices at the time of writing and may change; confirm the live price on each product page. Always verify requirements against the controlling drawing, the applicable maintenance manual or structural repair manual, and the current manufacturer data sheet before purchase or use.