What is Signaltape® Underground Warning Tape Made Of?

Products for underground utility damage prevention should be engineered with materials selected to perform in the underground environment, not only in laboratory conditions. Each component used in Signaltape® Underground Warning Tape plays a defined role in helping the tape remain visible, identifiable, and functional over time.

Woven Polyethylene (PE) Film

The two outer layers of Signaltape® are constructed from woven polyethylene (PE) film. With a thickness of 80 mil, this material resists tearing and stretching better than conventional extruded plastic film.

PE film has excellent resistance to acids, good resistance to alkalis, and is not susceptible to mildew; all of which are important in the buried soil environment. The material is also hydrophobic; this helps deter mud and dirt from adhering to the surface of the tape.

Aramid / Para-Aramid Fiber Core

The woven core material is a critical component to the function of Signaltape®. This material was selected for its high tensile strength (3,000 lbf when tested to ASTM D6775 and 31,500+ PSI when tested to ASTM D882), however strength alone is not the only purpose of using this material.

The core material is inlaid in a patented sine wave configuration. This design provides a combination of tensile strength and controlled slack. When encountered by excavator equipment, the core material is caught by the excavator bucket and pulled toward the surface rather than shearing underground.

This formation also allows the tape to perform regardless of the angle of approach. Performance is not compromised when the tape is contacted from 90 degrees rather than 180 degrees (which is most often demonstrated).

PE (30) Jacketed Tracer Wire

A jacketed tracer wire is an optional component for detectable applications. Signaltape® can contain an integral Copper-Clad Steel (CCS) tracer wire to create a reliable detectable warning tape. This component was selected instead of an aluminum foil layer based on two fundamental engineering considerations:

• Electrical Path Geometry: A round conductor provides a defined and continuous electrical path. CCS tracer wire is widely used for underground utility locating systems due to its predictable conductivity and established performance in buried environments.
• Mechanical Integrity of the Conductive Element: The conductive element is discrete and jacketed. Minor surface abrasion, scratches, or scuffs to the surrounding tape or polyethylene (PE) jacket do not affect continuity unless the wire itself is severed.

Why Material Selection Impacts Damage Prevention Efforts

Underground warning tape is often treated as a commodity product, but the weight and environment of soil are not the most forgiving; material selection affects:

• Long-term durability in buried conditions
• Visibility when encountered
• Detectability performance
• Mechanical behavior during excavation contact

Failures of underground marking and warning tapes are often related to the materials used, such as thin material that tears or foil that loses continuity. Selecting engineered materials designed for underground conditions can help reduce those risks.