What’s the best way to form a durable bonding solution?
When it comes to bonding applications, there’s no shortage of options: screws, bolts, mechanical fasteners, rivets, welding, liquid adhesives, and more.
Yet, as you’ve probably guessed from the title, there’s one solution that can avoid some of the more common bonding issues: 3M™ VHB™ Tape. It’s a cost-effective, flexible, and powerful, high-bond adhesive tape
Strouse has worked with VHB for years to build custom adhesive components, so today we’re going to discuss its benefits as a solution in more depth.
NOTE: This is Part 2 of a 3-part series on Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive Tape. Read Part 1 — which features PSA’s performance and versatility — in the Strouse blog. Also, check out Part 3 in the series on choosing a converter.
VHB Tape — Basics of This Bonding Solution
Originally introduced to the market in 1980 by 3M, Very High Bonding (VHB) tapes permanently bond and seal many surfaces and are stronger than many construction adhesives.
In addition to providing incredible bonding, VHB tapes are durable and aesthetically pleasing. Engineering and product designers have embraced VHB tape for thousands of applications.
As a fully cured pressure-sensitive adhesive tape, VHB tape is made with viscoelastic and energy-absorbing acrylic polymer foam. VHB tapes don’t have a separate backing; instead, they use a thick material for bonding.
Designed for applications that require a permanent bond, VHB tape's bond becomes nearly indestructible after 72 hours. Since the introduction of VHB tape, other bonding tapes have entered the market, including Ultra High Bonding (UHB) tapes and Acrylic Foam Tapes (AFT).
The Benefits of Using 3M VHB Tape
3M VHB tape delivers a lightweight, permanent bond that doesn’t negatively impact product performance.
1. LIGHTWEIGHT
For products that require lightweight permanent bonding solutions, 3M VHB tape provides the necessary performance and efficiency minus the weight of metal bonding components. Suppliers carry VHB in many thicknesses and widths, so the material matches the exact specifications for each project.
2. HIGH PERFORMANCE
3M VHB tape outperforms traditional bonding solutions and is 10x stronger than rivets.
Using VHB tape strips along a surface allows you to avoid concentrated stress points (often experienced when using rivets and fasteners). 3M VHB tape spreads stress loads across the entire area on which the tape is applied while creating a permanent, high-performance bond.
3. NO MESS APPLICATION
Many traditional bonding solutions are a hassle to apply. Liquid adhesives and other solutions that require primer can be highly messy and create a poor-looking finished product.
You can easily apply 3M VHB tape to surfaces by hand or machine automation. It creates smooth and clean bond lines, which many finished products require.
4. SAFER TO USE AND APPLY
Using a primer or adhesive promoter creates many pain points for manufacturers:
- Employees are exposed to harsh chemicals that can create health issues
- Primer application slows down production; it’s time-consuming to apply and creates another step in a complex process
- Some states (California, for instance) limit the use of solvent-based adhesion promoters
Luckily, not all VHB tapes require a primer, and 3M even offers a Primerless Acrylic Foam Tape designed for automotive manufacturers, making the assembly processes safer, cleaner, and more efficient.
5. VERSATILE AND EASILY DIE CUT
With over 40 different products in the VHB brand, 3M VHB tapes come in many colors and are designed to bond to specific substrates.
Due to the construction of the material, 3M VHB tape can easily be converted and die cut to custom shapes and sizes. Converters work closely with engineers to provide suitable material in the right format that leads to product or project success.
The Go-To Bonding Solution for Many Industries
In addition to being the preferred permanent bonding application for numerous industries, 3M VHB tape is used in many demanding applications, including electronics, outdoor signs, construction and manufacturing solutions, automotive products, medical devices, aerospace applications, and more.
WHAT MATERIALS DOES VHB BOND TO?
While other assembly options (fasteners, rivets, welds, etc.) bond metal-to-metal or plastic-to-plastic, 3M VHB tape can create a secure bond between two or more surfaces, either smooth or irregular. Material examples include:
- Brick, concrete, wood
- Composites
- Foams and fiberglass
- Glass and ceramics
- Metals
- Painted surfaces
- Plastics and plasticized vinyl
- Rubber
WHAT ENVIRONMENTS DOES VHB WORK IN?
3M VHB tape’s durability and versatility are incredible. You can use it indoors and outdoors with these various environmental factors in play:
- Chemicals — Passes splash test of common solvents (acetone, ammonia, isopropyl alcohol, oil, and more)
- Humidity — Performs in environments with high humidity
- Moisture — Resists freshwater and saltwater, even submersion in water
- Temperature — Performs in environments -40°F to 200°F (VHB application temperature may vary)
- UV Light — Resists natural and artificial ultraviolet rays
Speaking of strange environments, 3M VHB tape was even featured on HISTORY’s long-running show, Modern Marvels.
The key to properly using 3M VHB tape is to get it in custom lengths, widths, sizes, shapes, and formats to help solve application challenges.
Custom tape reduces errors and assembly waste while creating a uniform performance and an aesthetically pleasing experience. It often allows for cost and performance improvements, as well as efficient assembly processes.
That’s why selecting a full-service adhesive tape converter that knows VHB tape and is 3M Preferred is a substantial advantage. The best converters find the right materials, understand the importance of adhesive tape to a project’s success, and solve complex problems.
If you’re interested in finding a custom VHB solution, you can reach out to schedule a project consultation. Otherwise, consider checking out our Learning Center to learn more about high-bonding applications.
Originally published: November 16, 2020
