ASTM D5486 Military-Grade Duct Tape Guide
MILITARY & INDUSTRIAL SPEC GUIDE
ASTM D5486 Type IV, Class 1 Duct Tape
Decode the callout, compare the tape's published properties, and check the paperwork before ordering Polyken 231.
ASTM D5486/D5486M covers pressure-sensitive tapes for packaging, box closure and sealing. Its Type IV designation is for water-resistant woven-cloth tape; Class 1 identifies a performance class within that Type. Polyken 231 is the PE-coated cloth tape we offer for a Type IV, Class 1 callout. It is not an aircraft-interior tape, and a material callout alone does not authorize a substitution.
Start with your drawing or packaging instruction. Confirm the exact Type, Class, edition and any required documentation. A product data sheet is a useful cross-reference, not a replacement for the controlling specification or your approval process.
Polyken 231 · Type IV, Class 1
PE-coated cloth with natural-rubber adhesive, offered in olive drab and black. Its manufacturer data sheet lists ASTM D5486 Type IV, Class 1, 12 mil total thickness, 82 oz/in adhesion to steel, 46 lb/in tensile strength and a 40°F to 200°F operating range. These are typical published values, not acceptance limits for a particular lot.
View Polyken 231Manufacturer data sheet (PDF)How to read the Types
| Type | Backing / designation | Buying note |
|---|---|---|
| I | Waterproof polyester | Not interchangeable with cloth Type IV |
| II | Water-resistant polyester | Check the exact Class |
| III | Polypropylene | Check the exact Class |
| IV | Water-resistant woven cloth | Polyken 231 lists Class 1 |
| V | Paper-backed | Not interchangeable with cloth Type IV |
The ASTM standard defines the full requirements for each Type and Class. Check the edition named by your contract rather than relying on this summary.
What about PPP-T-60?
The Polyken 231 data sheet references PPP-T-60D/E Type IV, Class 1 alongside ASTM D5486 Type IV, Class 1. That is a useful lead for an older drawing, but it does not by itself establish that a specific contract accepts a replacement product or that the paperwork will name both standards. If your purchase order cites PPP-T-60, ask us to confirm the applicable documentation before ordering.
Published Polyken 231 properties
| Construction | Polyethylene-coated cloth; natural-rubber pressure-sensitive adhesive; no liner |
| Total thickness | 12.0 mil |
| Adhesion to steel | 82 oz/in |
| Tensile strength | 46 lb/in |
| Operating temperature | 40°F to 200°F (4°C to 93°C) |
| ASTM E595 results | Total mass loss 1.61%; collected volatile condensable material <0.01% |
| Shelf life | 36 months from manufacture, subject to the manufacturer's storage conditions |
| Listed sizes | 1″, 2″ and 3″ × 60 yd olive drab; 2″ × 60 yd black. Confirm current availability on the product page. |
Source: Polyken 231 technical data sheet, Vybond Group, revised January 29, 2025. ASTM E595 test results are reported here without characterizing the tape as suitable for vacuum, optical or other outgassing-sensitive uses. Have your engineering team evaluate the results against your application's limits. The lower operating limit is positive 40°F, not −40°F.
Uses and fit
The manufacturer describes uses including moisture-resistant packaging and sealing, bundling, seaming, and media-blast masking. The cloth construction is relatively stiff, so it may be less suitable for sharply irregular surfaces. Match the tape to the substrate and application procedure; it is water-resistant, not the Type I waterproof polyester construction.
Pricing and documentation
Widths, packs, prices and lead times can change. Check the current Polyken 231 options for the price and minimum order that apply to your width and color. If your order needs a Certificate of Conformance or a specific legacy callout, confirm what documentation is available before you place it.
Ordering against a drawing?
Send the complete Type, Class and edition, plus color, width, quantity and required delivery date. We can confirm the product and available paperwork.
Ask about Polyken 231This guide is for reference, not a specification or substitution approval. Verify the current manufacturer data sheet, controlling drawing, contract requirements and actual order documentation before purchase. ASTM D5486/D5486M is published by ASTM International.