Conductive Adhesives Tabs, Tapes and Sheets
Carbon, Aluminum, Copper, Silver

PELCO Tabs™ Carbon Conductive Tabs, Double Coated

The simplicity of application and smooth, clean surfaces of PELCO Tabs™ Carbon Conductive Tabs are a significant improvement compared to many of the other common adhesives that have been used in SEM mounting. Both tab sides have a thick conductive adhesive (conductive inner tab is 35µm and the adhesive is 45µm on each side for a total thickness of 125µm [5 mils]) with a liner on both sides, a transparent liner and white liner respectively. They are ready for immediate use. The top protective liner does not have to be removed until the sample is ready to be mounted. This reduces possible contamination. Outgassing is negligible.

Many laboratories use these tabs for SEM in a large diversity of applications. Adhering of the tab to a mount or surface should be done slowly and carefully to maintain surface smoothness. Refrigeration will increase shelf life but a warm up period of one hour is then required before use.

The PELCO Tabs™ consist of a carbon fiber mat impregnated with a conductive adhesive. There is no internal carrier film. The conductive adhesive is a carbon filled acrylic, free of solvents. It can be removed from the specimen mount with ethyl acetate, ethanol, isopropanol, alcohols or our 3M™ Adhesive Remover 80924-1 which is solvent-free. Temperature maximum is 60°C (140°F). High purity carbon tabs may contain very small impurities of Al and Si; see EDX Spectra. This product may also be used for gunshot residue analysis.

"Spectro Tabs Brand", Double Coated

Spectro brand tabs have been a standard for quality carbon tabs for many years. Construction and thickness is similar to the PELCO Tabs™ Carbon Conductive Tabs above. The EDX Analysis shows only minor impurities of Al, Si, and some localized sulfur particles may be found in the adhesive.

PELCO Image Tabs™, 260µm (10mil) Carbon Conductive Tabs, Double Coated

The thicker PELCO Image Tabs™ is a stiff 260µm (10mil) thick smooth conductive tab. Though not as conductive or sticky as the current 5mil PELCO Tabs™, PELCO Image Tabs™ are suitable as a photographic background and are repositionable. This tab is also suitable for Jet Scan applications where the tab must be removed and archived. The PELCO Image Tab's™ surface is less prone to bubbling and cracking when metal coated under vacuum and thus better than the 125µm (5mil) PELCO Tab™ as a photographic background for small particles like pollen and insect parts.

Conductive Tabs, Tapes and Sheets Comparison Table

Carbon Tabs with Aluminum Foil Backing, Double Coated

Smooth surface superior to traditional woven carbon tape for SEM and EDS analysis of small fibers and powders. Ideal for automated analysis of particles. Available in 8, 12, and 24mm diameter tabs.

Aluminum Backed Carbon Tape also available.

Powder on Al backed carbon tab		Powder on carbon fiber mat tab

Conductive Lift-N-Press™ Adhesive Tabs, Double Sided

Composed of a thin film of strong conductive adhesive approx. 1/2" (12.7mm) dia. on one side and square on the other side. With 0.6% nickel and <0.3% copper content. To apply, place "Press" portion of tab on SEM mount surface, lift "Lift Off" tab and peel, slightly rotating tab when lifting. Can be cut to size as desired.
SEM mounts not included.

Conductive Tabs, Tapes and Sheets Comparison Table

Carbon Conductive Tapes, Double Coated

These carbon tapes are conductive and may be used conveniently for scanning electron microscopy or EDS applications.

This is the same material as the PELCO Tabs™, Carbon Conductive Tabs, but in tape form. The tape form allows for special application uses such as custom sizes, cut-outs and shapes. The purity of this tape is identical to the PELCO Tabs™; only very small impurities of Al and Si may be found.

3M™ Copper Conductive Tapes, Single Adhesive Surface

Copper Conductive Tape,
Double Sided Adhesive

This tape retains the features of the #16072, while enabling the investigator to attach objects directly to the top surface of the tape. The adhesive is conductive. The tape is useful, for example, in attaching insects for SEM investigation. Dimensions are 12.7mm W x 16.4m L (1/2" x 18 yd). Core diameter is 76mm (3").
Foil thickness: 0.04mm (0.0014")
Total thickness: 0.09mm (0.0035")
Resistance through adhesive: 0.010 ohm

Technical Notes, Copper Conductive Tape, Double Sided (63KB PDF)

Copper Tape with Nickel,
Single Adhesive Surface

SEM conductive tape, electrically conductive with a clean, smooth background. Nickel is embedded in the adhesive. Overall thickness is .075 mm (3.0 mil), adhesive is 0.040mm (0.0014"). Conductive resistivity is 0.004 ohm/square. Available in 8 and 20mm W x 20m L (.315" and .787" x 21.9 yrd). Core diameter is 76mm (3").

Conductive Tabs, Tapes and Sheets Comparison Table

Aluminum Conductive Tape,
Single Adhesive Surface

single coated conductive adhesive

This tape is dead soft conductive aluminum, is easily cut to size and may be quickly applied to a specimen mount or other surface. Carbon or metallic coating normally is applied to the sample and mount. An electrical discharge bridge is then completed from sample through the aluminum and its conductive acrylic adhesive to the grounded specimen mount. Foil Thickness: 0.05 mm (2.0 mil). Total Thickness (foil + adhesive): 0.081mm (3.2 mil). Electrical Resistance through adhesive: 0.010 ohm. Available in: 6.3mm, 12.7mm and 25.4mm W x 16.4m L (1/4", 1/2" and 1" x 18 yrd). Core diameter is 76mm (3").

Technical Notes, Aluminum Conductive Tape, Single Sided (64KB PDF)

Carbon Conductive Sheet, Double Adhesive Coated

This electrically conductive sheet is suitable for cutting and sizing to samples, with application to SEM Energy Dispersive Spectrometry (EDS) X-ray studies. This product provides little out-gassing under vacuum. It won’t absorb or penetrate specimens, as liquid adhesives might. Sheet size: 50mm W x 120mm L x 0.16mm thick (1.97" x 4.72" x 6.3 mil)

Conductive Tabs, Tapes and Sheets Comparison Table

Silver Conductive Sheet, Double Adhesive Coated

These highly electrically conductive double-sided adhesive silver sheets are suitable for cutting and sizing to samples, with application to SEM and conductive pads.

Highly conductive: Resistivity only 0.002 ohm/5x5 square.

Little outgassing under vacuum. Will not absorb or penetrate specimens, as liquid adhesives might. Silver Sheet Size: 50mm W x 120mm L x 0.125mm thick (1.97" x 4.72" x 5 mil).

Conductive Tabs, Tapes and Sheets Comparison Table