TESA 51230 PV1 Tear Tape for Easy Opening of Cartons and Envelopes

      What is TESA 51230 PV1 Tear Tape?

TESA 51230 PV1 is a tear tape made of tensilised MOPP polypropylene coated with a synthetic rubber adhesive. Applied under a carton flap or inside an envelope, it creates a tear line that lets the pack be opened by hand without a knife or scissors.

Its principle rests on two figures working against each other. The tensilised backing withstands 165 N/cm before breaking and stretches by only 25 %: it neither runs nor snaps under pull. The board gives way long before. The tape therefore does not tear — it is the tape that cuts through the board fibres along the whole length of the flap.

The coextruded PP/PE backing delivers that strength for a total thickness of just 90 µm, discreet enough to sit under a sealed flap without creating an awkward build-up. Supplied by Adezif as TESA distributor for industry, alongside the polypropylene tapes used to seal cartons.

      Which Packaging Suits TESA 51230 Tear Tape?

TESA 51230 PV1 is intended for medium-grade solid board and double-flute corrugated board. The manufacturer specifically targets detergent and consumer goods boxes, padded shipping envelopes, and express delivery and mail envelopes.

In practice three needs come back. Easy opening on the shelf first, when the pack has to open cleanly in store or at the customer without damaging the product. The e-commerce unboxing experience next, where the tape replaces the knife and removes the risk of scratching the contents. Visual tamper evidence last: once the tape has been pulled, the carton is permanently marked and any reopening shows.

The tape fits alongside the other stations of a technical adhesive tape packaging line. It can also be replaced by a printed adhesive tape in your own colours when the opening line has to carry a logo or an opening instruction.

      How to Apply TESA 51230 PV1 Tear Tape?

The tape is applied continuously on the production line, inside the pack, at right angles to the intended opening direction, with a free starter end so the user has something to grip. TESA 51230 PV1 is formulated for high unwind speeds in automatic production: that is its reference use, far more than hand application.

Two points govern the result. The substrate must be dry and free of board dust, otherwise the initial tack never builds and the tape lifts before it is pulled — the general principles are set out on our page on how to make a good bonding with adhesive tape. The starter end must then be left free over two to three centimetres.

On the supply side, the tape comes on long-length spooled rolls of up to 20,000 metres, so spool changes are spaced out as far as possible. Adezif carries out width slitting and can supply widths other than the standard 4 and 6 mm.

      Technical Data for TESA 51230 PV1 Tear Tape

TESA 51230 PV1 is a 90 µm MOPP tear tape with a tensile strength of 165 N/cm, an elongation at break of 25 % and an adhesion to steel of 5.5 N/cm. It is available in 4 and 6 mm widths, on spooled rolls of 10,000 to 20,000 metres.

Average values supplied by the manufacturer, given for guidance and not contractually binding. They are not a specification and must be validated by a trial on your own board.

For a width, spool length or core diameter matched to your applicator, Adezif converts the tape to order as part of its custom die-cut technical adhesive tape services.

Values taken from the tesa 51230 PV1 product information, edition of 10 August 2026. Last checked by Adezif on 28 October 2026.