3M Durapore Silk-Like Cloth Surgical Tape — High-Strength, No-Stretch
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3M Durapore Silk-Like Cloth Surgical Tape — High-Strength, No-Stretch, 72-Hour Hold, 6 Sizes
The clinical standard for high-strength tube and device securement — a no-stretch silk-like cloth tape that holds firmly to dry skin, tubing, and itself for up to 72 hours and tears both lengthwise and crosswise without scissors. 3M Durapore Silk-Like Cloth Surgical Tape is a durable, non-stretch, woven cloth tape engineered for applications where a strong, reliable, no-movement hold is the clinical priority — securing endotracheal tubes, nasogastric tubes, urinary catheters, orogastric tubes, and other critical clinical tubing where tape lift or shift is not acceptable. The silk-like woven construction provides a smooth, comfortable feel against skin while delivering the high-strength adhesion necessary for tube securement without the rigidity or skin trauma of heavy-duty cloth or zinc oxide tapes. Bidirectional tearing — both lengthwise and crosswise — allows the tape to be cut to any dimension at any time without scissors, directly from the roll. Adheres reliably to dry skin, to itself for tabs and loops, and to medical tubing and device surfaces — making it the most versatile high-strength tape in the 3M medical tape range.
✔ High-Strength No-Stretch Construction — Holds Tubing and Devices Firmly Without Shift ✔ 72-Hour Adhesion to Dry Skin — Proven Long-Term Hold for Critical Applications ✔ Bidirectional Tear — Lengthwise & Crosswise, No Scissors Required ✔ Adheres to Skin, Tubing & Itself — Versatile for Tabs, Loops & Device Securement ✔ Hypoallergenic & Latex-Free — Comfortable Silk-Like Feel Against Skin
Product Details
| Manufacturer | Solventum (Formerly 3M) — transitioning to Solventum Durapore |
|---|---|
| Product | Durapore Silk-Like Cloth Surgical Tape — 1538 Series |
| Available Sizes | 6 roll sizes — Item #s 1538-0, 1538-1, 1538-2, 1538-3 plus single-patient-use 1538S-1 and 1538S-2 (see guide below) |
| Tape Material | Silk-like woven cloth — durable, conformable, smooth feel against skin |
| Stretch | No-stretch construction — provides stable, non-shifting hold for critical tube and device securement |
| Adhesive | High-strength pressure-sensitive acrylate — adheres to dry skin, medical tubing, devices, and itself |
| Hold Duration | Up to 72 hours on dry skin — strong initial and long-term adhesion |
| Tearing | Bidirectional — tears both lengthwise and crosswise, no scissors required, creates any size needed |
| Adhesion Surfaces | Adheres to dry skin, medical tubing, devices, and itself — versatile for tabs, loops, and bridges |
| Breathability | Breathable woven construction — allows air and moisture vapor exchange |
| Water Resistance | Water-resistant — maintains adhesion in humid conditions |
| Hypoallergenic | Yes — reduces risk of skin irritation |
| Latex | Not made with natural rubber latex |
| Sterility | Non-sterile |
Clinical Applications
- Endotracheal tube securement — short-term with routine monitoring in dry conditions
- Nasogastric and orogastric tube securement
- Urinary catheter securement to skin
- Central venous catheter and peripheral IV line securement
- Securing bulky wound dressings and pressure dressings
- Finger and toe splint stabilization
- Patient positioning and extremity securement
- Securing drainage tubes and surgical drains
- Tape tabs and bridges for device management — adheres to itself for loop, tab, and chevron configurations
- Any application requiring a no-stretch, high-strength hold that standard paper or cloth tape cannot reliably maintain
Application Notes: Durapore is designed for dry skin adhesion — clean and dry the skin surface before application for maximum hold. Do not pull or stretch during application — no-stretch tape applied under tension can cause tension blisters. Apply with firm pressure to activate the adhesive. For removal from skin with strong adhesion, use a medical-grade adhesive remover along the peel line rather than pulling perpendicular to the skin. 3M Cavilon No Sting Barrier Film is compatible and can be used to protect fragile skin before applying Durapore.
How It Works — High-Strength No-Stretch for Critical Securement
Medical tape applications fall into two distinct categories — securement applications where the tape must resist movement, and dressing attachment applications where the tape primarily needs to stay adhered to skin. Durapore is engineered specifically for securement. Its no-stretch woven construction provides the dimensional stability that keeps tubes and devices exactly where they were placed — stretch in a tape allows the secured tube or device to shift gradually as the patient moves, potentially compromising airway management, catheter positioning, or device function. The high-strength acrylate adhesive provides strong initial adhesion that builds to a reliable 72-hour hold on dry skin — significantly longer than the lighter adhesives used on paper tapes and most soft cloth tapes. The bidirectional tear allows clinicians to create custom-width strips from the same roll — tear down the length to halve the width for narrow IV tubing, tear across for standard lengths, or combine both directions for precise custom sizing without cutting tools. The tape's adhesion to itself enables the tab-and-loop and chevron techniques for tube management that are standard in critical care and anesthesia.
- No-stretch woven construction — maintains device and tube position without the gradual shift that stretchy tapes allow
- High-strength acrylate adhesive — stronger initial and long-term hold than paper or standard cloth tapes
- 72-hour proven adhesion on dry skin — reliable hold through extended tube securement periods
- Adheres to itself — enables tab, loop, chevron, and bridge techniques for tube management
- Adheres to tubing and device surfaces — direct securement without skin intermediary when needed
- Bidirectional tear — lengthwise and crosswise, any size from one roll without scissors
- Silk-like woven surface — comfortable against skin, less irritating than heavier-duty cloth tapes
- Breathable construction — moisture vapor exchange reduces maceration under long-term securement tape
- Hypoallergenic — suitable for patients where repeated taping is required
- Single-patient-use roll format available — reduces cross-contamination risk in multi-patient settings
Durapore vs. Medipore H — Choosing the Right 3M Cloth Tape
| Feature | Durapore (1538 Series) | Medipore H (2860 Series) |
|---|---|---|
| Tape Material | Silk-like woven cloth | Non-woven polyester soft cloth |
| Stretch | No-stretch — maximum stability | Bi-directional stretch — accommodates swelling and movement |
| Hold Strength | Highest — designed for critical tube and device securement | High — stronger than standard Medipore, gentle on sensitive skin |
| Best For | ET tubes, NG tubes, catheters, bulky dressings, splints — applications where no movement is the priority | Dressing securement, IV sites, at-risk skin — applications where conformability and skin gentleness are the priority |
| Tear Direction | Bidirectional — lengthwise and crosswise | Lateral perforations — crosswise only |
| Adheres To Itself | Yes — ideal for tabs, loops, and bridges | No |
Choosing the Right Size
| Item # | Width x Length | Rolls/Box | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1538-0 | ½" x 10 yd | 24/box | Narrowest — small tubing, IV lines, finger tape applications, and fine securement work. Highest count per box. |
| 1538-1 | 1" x 10 yd | 12/box | Standard width — the most widely used size for general catheter, IV, and tube securement. Nasogastric tube tabs and strips. |
| 1538-2 | 2" x 10 yd | 6/box | Medium width — securing bulky dressings, drain tubes, chest tubes, and central line bridges |
| 1538-3 | 3" x 10 yd | 4/box | Wide — large dressing securement, splint stabilization, and applications requiring broad coverage per tape application |
| 1538S-1 | 1" x 1.5 yd (Single-Patient Use) | 100/box | Single-patient-use roll — reduces cross-contamination risk in multi-patient clinical environments. 1" width for standard tube and catheter securement. |
| 1538S-2 | 2" x 1.5 yd (Single-Patient Use) | 50/box | Single-patient-use roll — 2" width for bulky dressings and broader securement applications with single-patient hygiene protocol. |
Tip: The bidirectional tear allows you to create narrower strips from any width by tearing lengthwise — a 2" roll torn lengthwise gives two 1" strips without scissors. This makes the 2" roll especially versatile in clinical settings where multiple widths are needed from a single roll.
Not sure which width is right for your application? Call 1-866-218-0902 — Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm EST
Why Buy From Medical Department Store?
- 30+ years serving home medical, wound care, and clinical supply customers
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- Ships to all 50 states — 5 Southwest Florida locations for local pickup
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Questions about 3M Durapore or any of our medical tapes? Call 1-866-218-0902 — our team is ready to help.
