ASTM D5486 Military-Grade Duct Tape Guide
Military & Industrial Spec Guide
ASTM D5486 Military-Grade Duct Tape — Type & Class Explained
What ASTM D5486 covers, how to read a Type IV, Class 1 callout, how it replaced the old PPP-T-60 spec, and the Polyken 231 waterproof duct tape that meets it — in stock with free US shipping and a Certificate of Conformance.
View Polyken 231 →ASTM D5486 / D5486M is the standard specification for pressure-sensitive tape used in packaging, box closure, and sealing — the spec most often cited for heavy-duty, waterproof military and aerospace packaging duct tape. It replaced the legacy federal specification PPP-T-60. The qualified product for the common Type IV, Class 1 callout is the Polyken 231, a PE-coated cloth duct tape with a natural-rubber adhesive built for the most demanding sealing, bundling, and seaming jobs.
What the ASTM D5486 callout codes mean
An ASTM D5486 callout is written by Type and Class. The Type tells you the backing material and water resistance; the Class is a performance grade within that Type. Your drawing or packaging spec will state which combination is required. The spec covers five tape types:
Waterproof polyester
Waterproof, weather-resistant, polyester-backed tape. Often used as a clear or printable box-sealing tape.
Water-resistant polyester
Water-resistant polyester-backed tape — a step below Type I on weather resistance.
Polypropylene
Water-resistant polypropylene-backed tape, common for general carton sealing and label protection.
Woven cloth (duct tape)
Water-resistant woven-cloth-backed tape — the heavy-duty "military duct tape" form. This is what the Polyken 231 is qualified to.
Paper-backed
Weather-resistant paper-backed tape, used where a paper carrier is specified.
The standard duct-tape class
The performance class the Polyken 231 is qualified to under Type IV. This is the class most military and aerospace packaging callouts reference for cloth duct tape.
A separate grade
A different class within the spec, used with other Types (for example, Type I or III box-sealing tapes). A Class 1 cloth tape is not a substitute where a different class is called out.
Polyken 231 — specifications
The qualified product for ASTM D5486 Type IV, Class 1. Values are typical, from the current Polyken / Vybond Group data sheet (dated 1/29/25).
| Product | Polyken 231 — Premium Military-Grade Duct Tape |
| Construction | Polyethylene (PE) coated cloth, natural rubber adhesive |
| Backing | PE-coated woven cloth |
| Adhesive | Natural rubber, pressure-sensitive |
| Liner | None (linerless) |
| Color | Olive drab and black |
| Total thickness | 12 mil (0.305 mm) |
| Adhesion to steel | 82 oz/in |
| Adhesion to backing | 37 oz/in |
| Tensile strength | 46 lb/in |
| Service temperature | 40 to 200°F (4 to 93°C) |
| Outgassing | Total mass loss 1.61%; collected VCM < 0.01% (ASTM E595) |
| VOC content | Low VOC |
| Shelf life | 36 months |
| ASTM D5486 class | Type IV, Class 1 |
| Other approvals | Supersedes PPP-T-60D & E, Type IV, Class 1; DPM 871-3; NSN 7510-00-074-4961 |
Typical values are stated at time of manufacture and are not for use in writing specifications. Always verify against the controlling drawing or packaging spec and the current manufacturer data sheet for your application.
What ASTM D5486 duct tape is used for
Per the manufacturer data sheet, the Polyken 231 is used for:
| Military packaging | Sealing moisture-proof cartons, canisters, and flexible packaging for defense and aerospace shipments |
| Waterproof sealing | Waterproof box closure and seam sealing where barrier integrity matters in storage and transit |
| Bundling & seaming | Bundling components and seaming applications such as tarps and canvas |
| Media-blast protection | Surface masking and media-blast protection on vehicles and equipment |
| Bonding to flat surfaces | Aggressive, high-tack adhesion to flat surfaces such as glass, with a crisp, straight tear |
| Demanding repairs | Moisture-, solvent-, and abrasion-resistant hold for high-stress field and shop applications |
| Low-outgassing use | Low total mass loss and collected VCM per ASTM E595, for applications sensitive to outgassing |
Need the data sheet or a cross-reference? Download the official Polyken 231 spec sheet (PDF), browse our Technical Data Sheets library, or see how this spec sits among the others on our Specifications by Authority page.
Frequently asked questions
What is ASTM D5486?
ASTM D5486 / D5486M is the standard specification for pressure-sensitive tape used for packaging, box closure, and sealing. It covers five tape types based on backing and water resistance: polyester (Types I and II), polypropylene (Type III), woven cloth (Type IV), and paper (Type V). The cloth Type IV form is the heavy-duty waterproof "military duct tape" most buyers are looking for.
Which tape meets ASTM D5486 Type IV, Class 1?
The Polyken 231 (Vybond Group) is the qualified product for ASTM D5486 Type IV, Class 1. It is a PE-coated woven-cloth duct tape with a natural-rubber adhesive, available in olive drab and black, and it also meets DPM 871-3 and carries NSN 7510-00-074-4961.
Does ASTM D5486 replace PPP-T-60?
Yes. ASTM D5486 supersedes the legacy federal specification PPP-T-60. The Polyken 231 conforms to ASTM D5486 Type IV, Class 1, which replaces PPP-T-60D & E, Type IV, Class 1. A spec or drawing calling out either standard for cloth duct tape is met by the same product.
What is the difference between the ASTM D5486 Types?
The Type identifies the backing and water resistance: Type I is waterproof polyester, Type II is water-resistant polyester, Type III is polypropylene, Type IV is water-resistant woven cloth (duct tape), and Type V is paper-backed. The Class is a performance grade within a Type. The Polyken 231 is a Type IV, Class 1 cloth duct tape, so it is not a substitute for a Type I/II/III box-sealing tape.
Is Polyken 231 waterproof?
Yes. The Polyken 231 is a waterproof, PE-coated cloth duct tape designed for sealing moisture-proof cartons, canisters, and flexible packaging, plus seaming and bundling. It is moisture-, solvent-, and abrasion-resistant. Always confirm current values against the manufacturer data sheet for your specific application.
What colors and sizes does Polyken 231 come in?
The Polyken 231 is available in olive drab and black, in 1", 2", and 3" widths on 60-yard rolls (black is stocked in 2"). Send us your width and quantity and we'll confirm stocked sizes, lead time, and pricing, with a Certificate of Conformance available on request.
Need an ASTM D5486 quote or a cross-reference?
Send us your spec callout (Type and Class), width, and quantity and we'll confirm the right Polyken duct-tape product, stocked sizes, lead time, and pricing. Certificate of Conformance available on request.
Ask Our Team →Specification details are provided for reference and are drawn from the current Polyken 231 technical data sheet (Vybond Group, Inc.). ASTM D5486 is a standard of ASTM International; PPP-T-60 is a U.S. federal specification. Polyken is a brand of Vybond Group. ASTM and other names are trademarks of their respective owners. Typical test values are stated at time of manufacture and are not for use in writing specifications. Always verify requirements against the controlling drawing or packaging specification and the current manufacturer data sheet before purchase.