CONVERTING NEWS
AND INSIGHTS

Subscribe for updates

3 min read

What Are Adhesive Release Liners? How Do You Select One?

By Sue Chambers on Sep 20, 2023 9:00:00 AM

Have you ever gone to peel a sticker but couldn’t remove it from the sheet? 

Topics: Adhesives Generally Converting
6 min read

Your Guide to Heat Activated Adhesives

By Sue Chambers on Aug 30, 2023 9:15:00 AM

A heat-activated adhesive is a type of adhesive, usually applied to a tape backing, that will not bond at normal temperatures. Instead, it becomes sticky in certain temperatures, wherein the adhesive chemicals are activated and can form a bond. 

Topics: Adhesives Generally
6 min read

4 Critical Considerations When Choosing a Wound Dressing Adhesive

By Sue Chambers on Aug 30, 2023 9:00:00 AM

Can a skin adhesive serve every type of injury?

Topics: Adhesives Generally Medical Adhesive Tape
4 min read

4 Advantages of Choosing Acrylic Foam Tape

By Lee K. House on Aug 25, 2023 2:28:35 PM

You’ve spent days pondering your latest project, but are still in between materials. 

Topics: Adhesives Generally
4 min read

3 Most Common Adhesive Liner Issues (with Solutions)

By Lee K. House on Aug 9, 2023 4:21:50 PM

How often do you pay attention to the part of the sticker you peel off?

Topics: Adhesives Generally
4 min read

Adhesive Transfer Tape: Advantages and Disadvantages

By Scott Chambers on Jul 12, 2023 9:00:00 AM

You’re steadily making your way through your list of material options when you recall adhesive transfer tape, yet, it’s hard to remember the exact benefit of using it in a project. 

Topics: Adhesives Generally
9 min read

The Basics of Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Tape

By Sue Chambers on Jun 30, 2023 9:15:00 AM

Have you ever wondered how tape works?

Topics: Adhesives Generally
7 min read

Polyimide Tape and Kapton Tape: What You Need to Know

By Scott Chambers on Jun 30, 2023 9:00:00 AM

What type of film would you use on a satellite?

Topics: Adhesives Generally
10 min read

3M VHB Tape Application Guide: A Superior Bonding Solution

By Scott Chambers on Jun 29, 2023 9:00:00 AM

You’re staring at the pristine roll of VHB tape clutched in your hand, wondering what the next step is to apply it correctly. 

Topics: Adhesives Generally 3M VHB Tape
5 min read

Double Sided Tape 101: Thin Bonding Series

By Scott Chambers on Jun 26, 2023 2:41:00 PM

Have you ever mounted something on the wall only to think, “Oh man, I hope this doesn’t fall and scare me in the middle of the night?” 

Topics: Adhesives Generally
3 min read

Heavy-Duty Double Sided Tape: Considerations and Best Uses

By Scott Chambers on Jun 2, 2023 3:23:30 PM

How essential are high-quality adhesives?

Topics: Adhesives Generally
9 min read

Foam Tape Guide: Uses, Benefits, and Examples

By Scott Chambers on May 11, 2023 3:35:00 PM

What do you think is the most durable tape?

Topics: Adhesives Generally 3M VHB Tape Foam Gaskets
7 min read

The 5 Different Types of Adhesive Bonding Materials

By Scott Chambers on Mar 22, 2023 4:11:57 PM

Joining two surfaces together doesn’t sound complicated. Yet, depending on the substrates and the performance demanded of an adhesive bond, choosing the wrong adhesive could create a huge mess.

Topics: Adhesives Generally
7 min read

What is Protective Film and What Are its Benefits to my Industry?

By Scott Chambers on Mar 10, 2023 2:31:48 PM

You’ve just purchased your brand new car, and you’re excited to drive off the lot when you notice a huge scratch arcing down the side. The big mistake? A lack of protective film. 

Topics: Adhesives Generally
6 min read

6 Surprising Applications of Custom Die Cut Adhesives

By Scott Chambers on Aug 17, 2022 11:54:28 AM

OK, here’s the tagline: Die cut adhesives are incredibly versatile and can solve business challenges in various industries.

Topics: Adhesives Generally Converting
5 min read

Life-Changing Applications of Adhesive Tape: 10 Essential Uses!

By Sue Chambers on Sep 10, 2021 7:45:00 AM

I bet wherever you’re reading this blog article, at this very moment, you’re within an arm’s length of pressure sensitive adhesive tape (or PSA tape) in some form.

That’s how prevalent its use is in our modern world. And for good reason! PSA tape has helped change how we spend our days and has improved (and saved!) lives. It’s so important that we previously dedicated a 3-part series to pressure sensitive adhesive tape.

In this blog article, let’s touch on some of the many ways adhesive tape is used (we included 10) and how often you likely use it without even knowing.

Topics: Adhesives Generally Converting
4 min read

3M™ VHB™ THIN FOAM TAPES ARE THE ULTIMATE ELECTRONICS BONDING SOLUTION

By Sue Chambers on Aug 24, 2021 10:43:37 AM

When inspiration hits like lightning, the result can be a cutting-edge electronics product. From smartphones to HDTV screens to marine navigation systems, electronics manufacturers rely on the thinnest products in 3M’s VHB portfolio to fit into electronic assemblies, places where thick VHBs cannot fit.

Electronic device engineers know space usually isn’t the only challenge. Modern electronics bonding solutions often must address impact resistance, waterproofing, heat resistance, and/or reworkability to create a device with reliable functionality. In addition to overall performance, some surfaces — paints, metals, low surface energy plastics — are hard to bond and require unique acrylic foam tapes such as 3M VHB tape.

When a spark of creativity results in devices optimized for the IoT, 5G, and beyond, specialized VHB tape is often needed as well. This article dives deeper into how pressure sensitive adhesive converters meet the high standards of the electronics industry today and into the future.

Topics: Adhesives Generally Electronics 3M VHB Tape
8 min read

What’s The Difference Between Die Cutting Methods: Flat Bed, Rotary, and Laser?

By Scott Chambers on Jul 8, 2021 10:24:21 AM

High-speed. Accurate. Versatile. You want your die cutting method to fulfill your needs because it’s an essential part of manufacturing. Realistically, however, you may have to make some choices based on the project’s priorities. High precision or high volume? Super speed or complex cuts? Low cost or low maintenance?

Topics: Adhesives Generally Converting
4 min read

How Automotive Surface Protective Film Saves Thousands of Rework Hours

By Scott Chambers on Jun 3, 2021 11:12:44 AM

Automotive manufacturers are throwing away thousands of dollars a month in rework costs.

Topics: Adhesives Generally Automotive
5 min read

4 Best Adhesive Types for Gaskets

By Scott Chambers on May 27, 2021 2:53:01 PM

Gaskets have many essential responsibilities. In fluid processing and handling equipment, they create a pressure-tight seal between two surfaces — preventing fluids from escaping and preventing contaminants from intruding. Plus, they insulate, cushion, and reduce noise. Not much to ask, right?

Topics: Adhesives Generally
4 min read

Adhesive Tape vs. Liquid Adhesives: A Quick Comparison Checklist

By Scott Chambers on May 20, 2021 2:45:25 PM

You have adhesive options.

Two of today’s most popular are adhesive tape and liquid adhesive. Of course, both have their advantages and drawbacks. Let’s not waste any time. We provide the pros and cons for an attribute of each, and you make the call. Your quick comparison checklist starts right now!

Topics: Adhesives Generally
6 min read

Real-World Consequences of Choosing the Wrong PSA Adhesive

By Phil Kehne on May 12, 2021 9:06:13 AM

Doing things properly when converting pressure sensitive adhesives is essential. Yet avoiding poor adhesive or the wrong process is just as vital. But you might say, “C’mon, it’s just adhesive. How significant could the consequences possibly be for making the wrong choice?” Well, read these product examples:

Topics: Adhesives Generally
3 min read

Advantages of Adhesive Transfer Tape for Gasket Applications

By Scott Chambers on Apr 21, 2021 9:54:40 AM

Gaskets — whether adhesives, foam, metal, cork, rubber, paper, or another material — are substrates used to perform two essential functions: 1) create a pressure-tight barrier/seal between two stationary surfaces and 2) use superior adhesives on these difficult-to-bond surfaces.

Topics: Adhesives Generally
3 min read

Products That Are Being Replaced By Pressure Sensitive Adhesives

By Scott Chambers on Apr 14, 2021 9:43:00 AM

Pressure sensitive adhesive tape has become the preferred solution for many adhesive needs. Its flexibility, strength, design, and versatility provide many assembly advantages. It’s so impressive, we recently ran this 3-part blog series.

As we explored in the first article in that series, engineers have used many solutions — each with their own limitations — to bond materials. The right pressure sensitive adhesive tape can replace these inefficient options and add additional benefits: evenly distributing pressure, converting to custom sizes/shapes, adding design aesthetics, and more.

Topics: Adhesives Generally
4 min read

What is Peel Adhesion? How Does It Drive Flexible Material Converting?

By Scott Chambers on Mar 24, 2021 12:46:00 PM

The world of adhesive materials within flexible material converting continues to expand and change. As technology overall evolves, so does the ability of adhesives to bond two or more substrates together.

Topics: Adhesives Generally
4 min read

The Importance of Working with a Full-Service Adhesive Tape Converter

By Scott Chambers on Mar 4, 2021 11:32:23 AM

The world of adhesive technology is an exciting place these days! Adhesive manufacturers are pushing the limits of science and technology, and the industry is enjoying:
• Product advancements and innovations
• New, sophisticated converting equipment
• Improved production rates, reduced labor costs, minimized waste, less rework

Unsolvable application challenges are now being solved as manufacturers look to use new materials in their processes and products. Yet, technological advancements on their own aren’t worth much. They require industry knowledge and insights from an expert adhesive converter to capitalize on advances in technology.

Topics: Adhesives Generally Converting
5 min read

Thin Bonding: Double Sided Tape, Adhesive Transfer Tape, and Much More

By Scott Chambers on Feb 10, 2021 10:15:00 AM

Welcome to our ongoing blog series featuring the many advantages of thin bonding. If you’re looking for specific information on double sided tape, click here.

Why dedicate so much attention and digital space to thin bonding? Because it’s a virtually invisible, super-strong bond for nearly any material in almost every industry. And that just begins to tell the story of thin bonding. There are so many benefits; we need an ongoing series to share them all.

Topics: Adhesives Generally