1. Feasibility of Tape Ian Hunt Corey Clay Thomas Essig Yi Chen

2. Introduction Office managers of design firms have multiple options in the selection and purchasing of tape. A good roll of tape offers overall performance at reasonable prices. With a variety of tapes from which to choose, deciding on one provides a challenge. There are many type of tape designed for various purposes, intended use and different application. All may have a market appeal, but of immediate interest are two factors: cost and overall performance.

3. Introduction The researchers of this study investigated four types of tape selected from office supply business located in a five-mile radius from downtown Denton to find the best selection. Comparisons on five criteria focused the selection of a single type of type for multiple applications.

4. Overview of Options and Criteria For our feasibility project we are comparing four different types of tape. These types include Duct tape Electrical tape Packaging tape Painter’s tape We will be testing them in the areas of Cost Adhesiveness Strength Resilience

5. Test 1: Methods We are testing the overall cost using a 5 star scale. All of our tapes were purchased from Wal-Mart, and prices were also pulled from there accordingly. The criteria we used to judge the tape was: 1 Star: 8 or more dollars 2 Stars: Between 7 and 8 dollars 3 Stars: Between 6 and 7 dollars. 4 Stars: Between 5 and 6 dollars 5 Stars: Between 4 and 5 dollars.

6. Test 1: Results Duct tape - 1 Star Electrical Tape - 5 Stars Packaging Tape - 4 Stars Painter’s Tape - 2 Stars

7. Test 2: Methods We are testing the adhesiveness of the tapes using a 5 star scale. We will be measuring this by attaching a 5-pound weight to a length of the tape, and hanging the weight off the table to see how long it will hold. The criteria we used is: 1 Star: 0 - 15 seconds 2 Stars: 16 - 30 seconds 3 Stars: 31 - 45 seconds 4 Stars: 46 - 60 seconds 5 Stars: 60 seconds onward

8. Test 2: Results Duct tape – 5 Stars Electrical Tape – 1 Star Packaging Tape – 5 Stars Painter’s Tape – 1 Star

9. Test 3: Methods For this test we will be testing the tapes strength by continually adding more weight(2.5 pounds) until it breaks. The criteria used will be: 1 Stars: Breaks at 10 pounds. 2 Stars: Breaks at 20 pounds. 3 Stars: Breaks at 30 pounds. 4 Stars: Breaks at 40 pounds. 5 Stars: Holds 40 pounds plus.

10. Test 3: Results Duct Tape – 5 Stars Electrical Tape – 1 Star Packaging Tape – 5 Stars Painter’s Tape – 4 Stars

11. Test 4: Methods For this test we are finding the resilience of the tape against water. We will be repeating the same procedure as test 2, but the tape will be dampened before hand. The criteria used will be: 1 Stars: Falls off immediately 2 Stars: 1 - 2 seconds 3 Stars: 3 – 4 seconds 4 Stars: 5 – 6 seconds 5 Stars: Holds past 7 seconds.

12. Test 4: Results Duct tape - 5 Star Electrical Tape – 2 Stars Packaging Tape – 2 Stars Painter’s Tape – 1 Stars

13. Conclusions The researchers learned that two tapes are appropriate choices for office managers. Duct tape and packaging tape both achieved a four star rating. This provides a choice for the office manager to select the suitable type tape for the correct need. Further review shows favor toward duct tape that received a five star rating on all but the cost test because it was the most expensive tape. Cost Adhesivene ss StrengthResilienceOverall Duct Tape 1 Star5 Stars 4 Stars Electrical Tape 5 Stars1 Star 2 Stars2.25 Stars Packaging Tape 4 Stars5 Stars 2 Stars4 Stars Painter’s Tape2 Stars1 Star4 Stars1 Star2 Stars

14. Conclusions Results show that duct tape is favored for performance. Packaging tape works well, except when wet. Price of tape offers a difference between selections for the office manager since packaging tape is about half the cost of duct tape. The researcher’s conclusion is that the purpose of tape is to hold; therefore, duct tape is preferred for performance.

15. Recommendation After testing all of the tapes our results find that duct tape is the strongest and most durable tape of the four tested. While duct tape failed the cost test, its resistance to water is unmatched by all other tapes tested. Except by price, this study recommends the selection of duct tape.