Thermal release tape for graphene transfer is a single-sided adhesive film that grips firmly at room temperature and releases when heated to a set temperature. It lets you lift CVD graphene off its growth catalyst, place it on a target substrate and remove the tape with heat instead of a mechanical peel. Choose a 90-100 °C or 120-140 °C release grade, in packs of 5, 10 or 20 sheets.
Key features
- Two release grades: 90-100 °C for temperature-sensitive substrates, 120-140 °C for processes that run warmer before release
- Strong room-temperature hold: 850 g/25 mm peel strength before heating, dropping to 0 g/25 mm after heating
- Single-sided construction: protective liner, 45 µm adhesive layer and 100 µm PET carrier
- Large 200 × 200 mm sheets, easy to cut to size for lab-scale or wafer-scale work
- Adhesive dissolves in ethyl acetate, which helps with cleanup after transfer
- Suited to many 2D materials: graphene film transfer, 2D material transfer, nanotube transfer, wafer positioning and wafer grinding
Technical specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Product type | Single-sided thermal release (heat release) tape |
| Sheet size | 200 × 200 mm |
| Pack sizes | 5, 10 or 20 sheets |
| Release temperature options | 90-100 °C or 120-140 °C |
| Liner thickness | 38 µm |
| Adhesive thickness | 45 µm |
| PET carrier thickness | 100 µm |
| Peel strength before heating | 850 g/25 mm (180° peel, 300 mm/min) |
| Peel strength after heating | 0 g/25 mm |
| Release time | 3 min at 105 °C in a convection oven [applies to 90-100 °C grade] |
| Adhesive solubility | Soluble in ethyl acetate |
| Colour | Transparent (90-100 °C) / Blue (120-140 °C) |
Technical data is for reference. Test the tape on your own samples before committing to a full process.
How to transfer graphene with thermal release tape
- Prepare the substrate. Clean the target (SiO₂/Si wafer, PET, glass or another polymer). A surface treatment or coating can improve graphene adhesion.
- Apply the tape. Peel off the protective liner and lay the adhesive side onto the graphene on its copper foil. Press firmly and evenly with a rubber roller or spatula to remove trapped air.
- Remove the catalyst. Etch away the copper and rinse, leaving graphene attached to the tape.
- Align and place. Position the tape and graphene over the target substrate and apply light pressure to bring the graphene into full contact.
- Heat to release. Heat the assembly to the tape’s release temperature. The adhesive loses its grip and the tape lifts away, leaving the graphene on the substrate.
- Clean and inspect. Rinse with ethyl acetate or acetone to remove adhesive traces, then inspect the film for uniformity and placement.
What is thermal release tape?
Thermal release tape, also called heat release tape or thermal release film, is a temporary-bonding adhesive. It bonds strongly during handling and processing, then releases on demand when heated. This reversible behaviour is why it is used in electronics manufacturing, semiconductor processing and laboratory research, wherever a part has to be held securely and then freed without force.
How it is built
The tape has two working parts:
- Carrier film. Usually PET or polyimide. It gives the tape its strength and flexibility and resists many common chemicals and temperatures.
- Heat-sensitive adhesive layer. A temperature-responsive polymer that is stable at room temperature. Once it reaches its trigger temperature, it changes structure, loses adhesion and lets the tape come away easily.
Release temperatures
Thermal release tapes are commonly made for release between roughly 90 °C and 150 °C, depending on the product. Typical grades release at 90-100 °C, 120-140 °C or around 150 °C. The right grade depends on your process, so always choose against the product’s own datasheet.
Why thermal release tape suits graphene transfer
Graphene is extremely sensitive to contamination, and even a thin layer of residue can change its electrical and optical behaviour. CVD graphene also has to move from the metal it grows on to the substrate where it will be used. Thermal release tape supports that step with a strong grip during handling and a heat-triggered release, so the graphene can be carried and set down without tearing or rough mechanical peeling.
It is a dry, polymer-assisted route that is well documented in the literature, including roll-to-roll production of large-area graphene films (Bae et al., Nature Nanotechnology, 2010) and wafer-scale transfer (Lee et al., Nano Letters, 2010). These papers show the method in general and don’t mean this product was used in them.
Benefits of choosing thermal release tape
Controlled, low-force release. Heat triggers the release, so you don’t need to pull the tape off with mechanical force that can crack or wrinkle the graphene.
Precise positioning. The strong initial grip keeps the graphene stable while you align and place it, which matters for device work where position counts.
Gentle on sensitive substrates. The release is heat-controlled, and the 90-100 °C grade suits substrates that can’t tolerate much heat. Ethyl acetate is only needed for optional cleanup, not for the transfer itself.
Efficient workflow. Tape transfer is faster and simpler than many multi-step wet processes. Some post-transfer cleaning may still be needed, depending on how clean your application has to be.
Scales from lab to line. The same approach works for small prototypes and for larger production runs.
Applications
- Flexible electronics. Transferring graphene onto polymer substrates for flexible circuits and transparent electrodes.
- Energy storage. Integrating graphene onto electrode materials for batteries and supercapacitors.
- Sensors and membranes. Placing graphene in biosensors and filtration membranes.
- 2D materials and nanotubes. Transferring other 2D materials and nanotube films.
- Wafer processing. Wafer positioning, grinding and thinning, and holding small components during assembly.
How to choose the right thermal release tape
Release temperature. Pick a grade whose release temperature is above your lamination and process temperatures but within what your substrate tolerates. Lower-temperature grades suit sensitive or biological work, and higher grades suit semiconductor-style processing.
Carrier compatibility. Make sure the carrier film can handle the solvents, chemicals and temperatures in your process.
Adhesion strength and thickness. Match the grip to your materials. Thinner tapes often suit microscopy-scale work, and thicker tapes suit larger or heavier samples.
Check your cleaning needs. If your application is very contamination-sensitive, plan a solvent rinse after transfer and test residue levels on your own samples.
Frequently asked questions
What is thermal release tape used for?
It temporarily holds materials during processing and releases when heated. In research it is widely used to transfer CVD graphene and other 2D materials.
Which release temperature should I buy?
Choose the grade whose release temperature sits above your lamination and process temperatures and within your substrate’s limits. Pick 90-100 °C for lower thermal budgets and 120-140 °C for warmer processes.
Is the tape single-sided or double-sided?
Single-sided. The thicker layer is the adhesive and the thinner layer is the protective liner.
Does it leave residue on graphene?
Thermal release tape is chosen because it can release with relatively low residue, but no adhesive is guaranteed residue-free. Rinse with ethyl acetate or acetone after transfer, and test on your own samples.
Can I get a continuous, crack-free graphene film?
Tape transfer is fast and dry, but continuity can be lower than with PMMA-assisted transfer. If continuous coverage is critical, trial both methods on your substrate.
How many sheets are in a pack?
Packs of 5, 10 or 20 sheets, with your choice of release temperature at checkout.
Can I cut the sheets?
Yes. Sheets are 200 × 200 mm and can be cut to fit your substrate.
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