Rulon® Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Tape
Manufacturer: Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics (CHRTape)
Product Family: CHR RU/R101 Series
Backing: Rulon® filled PTFE film
Adhesive Options: Silicone PSA (RU) or Acrylic PSA (RU101)
Operating Temperature:
- RU: −73°C to +260°C
- RU101: −29°C to +177°C
Colour: Rose
Overview
The Saint-Gobain CHR RU and RU101 are high-performance pressure sensitive adhesive tapes manufactured using Rulon® — a patented filled PTFE material engineered for significantly greater wear resistance than standard PTFE film.
The RU/R101 series combines:
- Low-friction PTFE performance
- Self-lubricating surface properties
- High wear resistance
- Chemical inertness
- High-temperature capability
- Pressure-sensitive adhesive convenience
Unlike standard PTFE tapes primarily designed for release or masking applications, the RU/R101 series is engineered for:
- Mechanical wear interfaces
- Sliding surfaces
- Bearing liners
- Tribological environments
- High-cycle contact applications
The material delivers wear resistance documented at up to:
- 500 times greater than standard PTFE in rotating bearing tests
This makes the RU/R101 range suitable for demanding aerospace and industrial environments where conventional PTFE tapes may wear prematurely.
The series is available in two adhesive variants:
- RU — silicone adhesive
- RU101 — acrylic adhesive
Both versions are supplied with a release liner for controlled application.
Product Overview
The RU/R101 series uses a Rulon filled PTFE backing rather than standard skived PTFE film.
Rulon is a modified PTFE material containing engineered filler compounds that improve:
- Wear resistance
- Mechanical durability
- Tribological performance
- Surface longevity
while retaining the core advantages of PTFE:
- Low friction
- Chemical resistance
- Temperature stability
- Non-stick properties
RU — Silicone Adhesive Variant
The RU version uses a silicone adhesive system rated to:
- −73°C to +260°C
This variant is designed for:
- High-temperature aerospace environments
- Thermal cycling applications
- Composite processing
- Elevated-temperature wear interfaces
RU101 — Acrylic Adhesive Variant
The RU101 version uses an acrylic adhesive system rated to:
- −29°C to +177°C
RU101 is generally suited to:
- Moderate-temperature industrial applications
- Wear protection systems
- Sliding interface applications
Construction Differences vs Standard PTFE Tape
Compared to the standard CHR R Series PTFE film tapes, the RU/R101 series uses a much thicker Rulon backing:
- 8.0 mil backing thickness
- 10.0–10.3 mil total thickness
This heavier construction is intentional and designed specifically for:
- Mechanical contact durability
- Wear protection
- Friction reduction
- Extended service life
Aerospace-Relevant Applications
Bearing and Sliding Interface Liners
Aircraft mechanical systems contain many moving interfaces where low friction and wear resistance are critical.
The RU/R101 series may be used on:
- Sliding interfaces
- Mechanical guides
- Bearing liners
- Structural contact points
- Access panel guides
- Moving assemblies
The self-lubricating Rulon surface reduces wear and helps minimise friction-induced damage.
Aerospace Tooling and Assembly Fixtures
In aerospace manufacturing environments, tooling and assembly systems experience repetitive mechanical contact.
RU/R101 can help protect:
- Jig surfaces
- Assembly fixtures
- Process tooling
- Sliding guides
- Mechanical contact areas
The increased wear resistance improves service life in repetitive-use environments.
High-Temperature Process Environments
The RU silicone adhesive variant supports sustained elevated temperatures up to:
- +260°C
This makes it suitable for aerospace process environments involving:
- Thermal cycling
- Composite processing
- Elevated-temperature tooling
- Heat-intensive manufacturing operations
Aerospace Maintenance Applications
The self-lubricating PTFE surface helps reduce:
- Galling
- Friction wear
- Surface damage
- Fastener binding
during repeated maintenance and assembly operations.
Chemical Process Environments
Filled PTFE maintains strong resistance to:
- Solvents
- Aerospace fluids
- Hydraulic oils
- Acids
- Alkalis
- Process chemicals
This makes the RU/R101 series suitable for chemically aggressive manufacturing environments.
Important Aerospace Clarification
The CHR RU/R101 series is primarily a:
- Tribological tape
- Process tape
- Wear-resistant interface material
It is not a structural aerospace repair tape or certified aircraft skin repair material.
Application suitability should always be verified against:
- OEM engineering requirements
- Programme approvals
- Approved materials lists
- Current manufacturer documentation
before aerospace specification or use.
Performance Characteristics
Wear Resistance
The primary differentiator of the RU/R101 series is wear resistance.
Saint-Gobain states that the Rulon backing demonstrates:
- 500 times the wear resistance of standard PTFE in rotating bearing tests
This makes the material suitable for high-contact and high-cycle applications.
Self-Lubricating Surface
The Rulon surface provides low friction without requiring external lubrication.
This is valuable in:
- Clean manufacturing environments
- Tight-clearance assemblies
- Hard-to-access maintenance areas
- Aerospace mechanical interfaces
Temperature Capability
RU Silicone Adhesive
- −73°C to +260°C
RU101 Acrylic Adhesive
- −29°C to +177°C
Adhesion Performance
RU
- 2.7 N/cm adhesion to steel
RU101
- 2.2 N/cm adhesion to steel
The tapes are engineered for controlled adhesion and clean removal rather than permanent bonding.
Tensile Strength
Both variants provide:
- 35 N/cm tensile strength
Elongation
Both variants provide:
- 225% elongation at break
This allows strong conformability around curved and irregular surfaces.
Chemical Resistance
Rulon filled PTFE maintains excellent resistance to:
- Solvents
- Acids
- Alkalis
- Aerospace fluids
- Industrial chemicals
Weather and Moisture Resistance
The PTFE-based construction provides:
- UV resistance
- Moisture resistance
- Weather resistance
for exposed industrial environments.
Technical Data Snapshot
| Property | RU | RU101 |
|---|---|---|
| Backing Material | Rulon Filled PTFE | Rulon Filled PTFE |
| Adhesive System | Silicone PSA | Acrylic PSA |
| Total Thickness | 0.254 mm | 0.262 mm |
| Backing Thickness | 0.203 mm | 0.203 mm |
| Adhesive Thickness | 0.051 mm | 0.058 mm |
| Adhesion to Steel | 2.7 N/cm | 2.2 N/cm |
| Tensile Strength | 35 N/cm | 35 N/cm |
| Elongation | 225% | 225% |
| Operating Temperature | −73°C to +260°C | −29°C to +177°C |
| Colour | Rose | Rose |
| Surface Property | Self-lubricating | Self-lubricating |
| Wear Resistance | 500x standard PTFE | 500x standard PTFE |
| Liner | Release liner supplied | Release liner supplied |
Values are typical figures from manufacturer technical documentation and should not be used for specification purposes without verification.
Specifications and Compliance
The CHR RU/R101 technical documentation does not directly reference:
- AMS specifications
- MIL specifications
- OEM aerospace approvals
However, filled PTFE materials are commonly evaluated within aerospace environments involving:
- Mechanical interfaces
- Bearing liners
- Sliding surfaces
- Process tooling
- Wear protection systems
Users should always verify:
- Qualification requirements
- Material approval status
- OEM engineering acceptance
- Programme-specific compliance
before aerospace use.
Manufacturer — Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics
Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics manufactures both:
- CHRTape high-performance tape systems
- Rulon engineered filled PTFE materials
The Rulon material family is widely recognised across aerospace and industrial sectors for:
- Tribological performance
- Wear resistance
- Bearing applications
- Low-friction engineering systems
The RU/R101 series combines Rulon performance with pressure-sensitive adhesive tape functionality.
How SpeedTapes Helps
SpeedTapes.com is a structured aerospace tape reference platform designed for:
- Aerospace engineers
- Procurement teams
- Manufacturing specialists
- MRO operations
- Technical sourcing professionals
For products like RU/R101, SpeedTapes provides:
- Structured technical data
- PTFE tape comparisons
- Tribological guidance
- Aerospace process context
- Manufacturer references
- RFQ support
SpeedTapes does not directly supply tape products.
The platform helps connect aerospace requirements with qualified manufacturers and distributors.
Request Technical Guidance
Need help identifying the correct filled PTFE tape for your application?
SpeedTapes can assist with:
- RU vs RU101 selection
- Wear resistance guidance
- Bearing liner applications
- Mechanical interface protection
- Alternative PTFE tape comparisons
- Aerospace sourcing assistance
Submit an RFQ or technical enquiry today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Saint-Gobain CHR RU/R101?
The RU and RU101 are pressure sensitive adhesive tapes manufactured using Rulon filled PTFE material for low-friction and wear-resistant applications.
What is Rulon?
Rulon is a patented filled PTFE compound developed by Saint-Gobain that provides significantly improved wear resistance compared to standard PTFE.
What is the difference between RU and RU101?
RU uses a silicone adhesive rated to +260°C, while RU101 uses an acrylic adhesive rated to +177°C.
Why is the tape rose coloured?
The rose colour provides visual identification during manufacturing and inspection processes.
What applications is RU/R101 used for?
Typical applications include:
- Bearing liners
- Sliding interfaces
- Wear protection
- Aerospace tooling
- Mechanical contact surfaces
How does RU/R101 compare to standard PTFE tape?
RU/R101 uses filled PTFE with significantly greater wear resistance, while standard PTFE tapes are generally designed more for release and masking applications.
Does RU/R101 require external lubrication?
No. The Rulon surface is self-lubricating and designed to operate without external lubricants.
Is RU/R101 suitable for high-temperature aerospace environments?
Yes. The RU silicone adhesive variant is rated to +260°C and can be used in elevated-temperature process environments where approved by engineering authority.