Adhesive tape consists of two components: a backing material and an adhesive; it is used to join two or more separate objects together. Its surface is coated with a layer of adhesive.
The earliest adhesives were derived from animal and plant sources; in the 19th century, rubber was the primary ingredient, whereas modern adhesives make extensive use of various polymers. Adhesives work by forming bonds between their own molecules and those of the objects being joined, effectively holding the molecules firmly together. The composition of adhesives varies depending on the brand and type, incorporating a wide range of polymers.
