PTFE Tape & Teflon Tape for Heat Sealers
Industrial-grade heat seal tape for packaging machines — custom widths, fast delivery across Australia & NZ
Last updated: February 2026
Heat seal tape (also called heat sealer tape, Teflon heat sealing tape, or heat seal Teflon tape) is a PTFE coated tape made from glass fabric, applied to the sealing jaws of packaging machines to prevent plastic film from sticking during the heat sealing process. Also known as PTFE adhesive tape, this product is supplied by GORTEF in industrial-grade custom widths cut from 1000mm rolls, in 30-metre lengths, with high-temperature silicone adhesive rated to +260°C.
Available as self-wound rolls or with a yellow peel-off release liner, our tapes are engineered for impulse sealers, L-bar sealers, form-fill-seal machines, side sealers, and blister packaging equipment used across Australia and New Zealand.
GORTEF's PTFE Heat Sealing Tapes
TCG003AD
TCG005AD
TCG010AD
What Is Heat Seal Tape?
Heat seal tape — also widely known as Teflon tape for heat sealers — is a pressure-sensitive adhesive tape made from PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) coated glass fibre fabric. It is applied directly onto the heated sealing jaws or bars of packaging machinery. The PTFE surface creates a non-stick barrier between the hot metal jaw and the plastic film being sealed, ensuring clean, consistent seals without the film melting onto the machine.
Without Teflon tape on the sealing jaws, plastic packaging film would stick to the sealing bars, causing production stoppages, wasted materials, and inconsistent seal quality. Replacing worn PTFE tape is one of the most common maintenance tasks in any packaging operation.
Types of PTFE Tapes for Heat Sealing
GORTEF manufactures PTFE tapes in several thicknesses to suit different sealing requirements. The right choice depends on your machine type, operating temperature, and how frequently you run production cycles.
| Product | Backing Thickness | Total Thickness | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| TCG003AD (3 thou) | 0.075 mm | 0.125 mm | Impulse sealers, light-duty machines where flexibility and close jaw contact are needed |
| TCG005AD (5 thou) | 0.130 mm | 0.180 mm | General-purpose: L-bar sealers, form-fill-seal, side sealers. Most popular thickness |
| TCG010AD (10 thou) | 0.250 mm | 0.300 mm | Heavy-duty applications, hot bar sealers, and machines with high jaw pressure |
All tapes are supplied in standard 1000mm widths and custom-cut to your required dimensions. For food manufacturing environments where contamination traceability is critical, see our metal detectable PTFE tapes.
How to Choose the Right Heat Sealer Tape
Selecting the correct Teflon tape (PTFE tape) for your heat sealer depends on four key factors:
1. Machine Type
Impulse sealers typically need thinner tape (3 thou) for maximum heat transfer and jaw flexibility. Continuous band sealers and L-bar sealers work best with 5 thou tape. Heavy-duty hot bar sealers benefit from the extra durability of 10 thou tape.
2. Operating Temperature
All GORTEF PTFE tapes are rated from -73°C to +260°C continuous operating temperature. For most packaging applications (sealing polyethylene, polypropylene, or PVC film), standard tapes are suitable. If your process exceeds 260°C, contact us for specialist recommendations.
3. Production Volume
High-speed production lines with thousands of cycles per shift should consider 5 thou or 10 thou tape for longer service life. Lower-volume operations can use 3 thou tape to maximise heat transfer efficiency.
4. Film Material Being Sealed
Thicker packaging films or multi-layer laminates require higher sealing temperatures, which accelerate tape wear. Thicker tape provides better durability in these conditions. If you are sealing foil-laminated packaging, see our guide on packaging machine PTFE applications.
Industries That Use Heat Seal Tape
PTFE tape (Teflon tape) is used across any industry that packages products in sealed plastic film or pouches. The most common heat sealing tape applications include:
- Food and beverage packaging — snack bags, frozen food pouches, fresh produce wrapping, meat trays
- Pharmaceutical and medical packaging — blister packs, sterile pouches, foil-sealed bottles
- Consumer goods — shrink wrapping electronics, bundling multipacks, retail packaging
- Textile and garment — heat-sealed poly bags for clothing, linen, and bedding
- Industrial and logistics — pallet wrapping, large-format bag sealing, courier satchels
How to Replace Heat Sealer Tape
Replacing PTFE tape on a heat sealer is straightforward and takes only a few minutes. Follow these steps for a clean application:
- Power off and cool down — ensure the sealing jaws are at room temperature before handling.
- Remove the old tape — peel off the worn tape and clean the jaw surface with isopropyl alcohol to remove residue.
- Cut to size — measure the jaw length and cut the new tape slightly longer than needed (5–10mm overhang each end).
- Apply the new tape — peel back the release liner (if present) and press the adhesive side firmly onto the jaw, starting from one end and smoothing outwards to avoid air bubbles.
- Trim the excess — use a sharp blade to cut the tape flush with the edge of the jaw.
- Test seal — run 2–3 test cycles to confirm the seal quality before resuming production.
For a detailed guide on when to replace your tape, see our article: How Often to Change Heat Seal Tape.
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no fixed schedule — replacement depends on your operating temperature, cycle rate, and the material being sealed. Inspect tape regularly for discolouration, adhesive breakdown, fraying, or inconsistent seals. High-volume lines typically replace tape every 1–4 weeks, while lower-volume operations may go several months between changes.
For most packaging machines, 5 thou (0.13mm backing) is the standard choice. Use 3 thou for impulse sealers needing maximum flexibility, or 10 thou for heavy-duty hot bar sealers with high jaw pressure. When in doubt, 5 thou is the safest general-purpose option.
GORTEF PTFE tapes operate continuously from -73°C to +260°C. The high-temperature silicone adhesive is rated for the same range, so the tape maintains full adhesion and non-stick performance across all standard heat sealing temperatures.
Yes. PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) is the chemical name for the material. Teflon is a brand name originally trademarked by DuPont. Industrial PTFE tape and Teflon tape for heat sealers are the same product. Note: this is different from plumber’s Teflon tape, which is thin uncoated PTFE film used on pipe threads.
GORTEF supplies PTFE heat sealing tapes directly to businesses across Australia and New Zealand. We cut tapes to custom widths from our Melbourne warehouse and ship nationwide. Contact us for pricing and lead times, or to request a sample.
Yes. PTFE is FDA-approved for food contact and is widely used on packaging machines in food manufacturing. For environments where contamination traceability is required (HACCP compliance), consider our metal detectable PTFE tapes which can be identified by inline metal detectors if a piece breaks loose.
Related Products
- Metal Detectable PTFE Tapes — For food manufacturing with inline metal detection
- Zone Tapes — PTFE tapes for zone coating and selective non-stick areas
- Heat Sealing Bands — Endless PTFE bands for vertical and horizontal form-fill-seal machines
- Heat Sealing Belts — PTFE belts for continuous heat transfer sealing equipment
Why Choose Gortef?
Australian Owned
Supplying teflon tapes, sheets and belts to local Australian and New Zealand companies since 1989
Reliable Quality
Industry-leading PTFE tapes, sheets and belts manufactured to the highest standards, trusted by 600+ small to listed Australian companies
Fully Insured
Peace of mind with comprehensive public and product liability insurance coverage
Local Fast Delivery
Local support and FAST delivery to all Australian states