No. 1 Use - To Help Teach The Meaning of "Irony"
The tape was renamed as such because it was often used to seal (you guessed it!) ducts. However, upon extensive research, it was found that duct tape, though frequently used to seal ductwork, should never be used to seal ... ductwork. Duct tape is actually an extremely unsafe substance to rely on for such a project...
The Many Uses Of Duct Tape:
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| Photo by Foggy Pond |
COMMON USES
Duct tape is commonly used in situations that requires a strong, flexible, very sticky tape. Some have a long-lasting adhesive and resistance to weathering.
A more specialized product, commonly known as gaffer tape, is preferred by gaffers, as it does not leave a sticky residue when removed. It comes in matte black, and is more easily torn into thin strips for precise application.
Duct tape, in its guise as "racer's tape", has been used in motorsports for more than 40 years to repair fiberglass bodywork. Racer's tape comes in a wide range of colors to help match it to common paint colors. In the UK, it is usually referred to as "tank tape" in motorsports use.
Duct tape is not intended to be used for sealing ductwork. Building codes usually require a special fire resistant product, often with a foil backing and long lasting adhesive.