The squeal of peeling tape, explained

"Weak shock waves triggered by micro-cracks in the adhesive layer of tape cause it to screech when being unspooled from its roll."

"Experiments have uncovered the physical mechanism responsible for the screeching sound that adhesive tape makes when peeled from a roll."

Research has identified the physical mechanism behind the distinctive screeching noise produced when adhesive tape is peeled from a roll. The sound originates from micro-cracks that form within the adhesive layer of the tape. As the tape is unspooled, these micro-cracks generate weak shock waves that propagate through the material. These shock waves are responsible for creating the characteristic high-pitched screeching sound commonly heard during tape dispensing. This discovery provides a scientific explanation for a familiar everyday phenomenon that occurs during routine tape use.

Read at Nature