Double coated tapes are broadly defined as tape with adhesive on both sides of a carrier.  Most often the adhesive is the same on both sides, however that is not always the case.  Since double coated tapes are usually run thought the coating line twice, on the 2nd pass, the type of adhesive can be changed for specific application needs.  For example, we sell a double coated film tape with silicone adhesive on one side to bond to a silicone surface and an acrylic adhesive on the other side to bond to steel or aluminum. 

Double coated tape typically includes a carrier made of a thin polyester film, a compressible foam or a conformable cloth.  The tape can include any combination of rubber, acrylic or high temperature silicone adhesive.  With adhesive on two sides, double coated tapes are typically used as mounting tapes. 

In automotive applications 3M double coated foam tape is used to attach body side molding and nameplates.  Double coated foam tape are common and for retail markets double sided rubber tapes with excellent quick tack mount a wide variety of consumer products.