Acrylic Foam Structural Glazing

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Structural Glazing Page 1 of 12 1

Structural Glazing


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Structural Glazing 2

Acrylic Foam Structural Glazing Tape: ANew Bonding Alternative

Learning Objectives - After thetraining, you will be able to:

Discuss the requirements forstructural glazing for curtainwall construction.

Explain the benefits and

features of acrylic foamstructural glazing tape forstructural glazing systems.

Describe performance testing ofacrylic foam structural glazingtape for structural glazing.

Compare and contrast structural

glazingbuilding practicesaround the world.

Liberty Memorial Museum, Kansas City, MO.Architect: ASAI Architecture, 2006. Structuralglazing with acrylic foam tape conforms withthe interior luminous white drum curtain wall.


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A. HISTORY

On the market since 1980, acrylic foam tape is found ina multitude of applications in a cross section ofindustries around the globe. But it has only recentlybecome available in the U.S. as an effective alternativeto structural silicone and spacer tape for commercialcurtain wall applications.

In the early 1980s, applications broadened in thecommercial construction industry to include permanentbonding and sealing of architectural metal panels to avariety of surfaces including frames, stiffenerattachments, I-beams, and metal cladding. Among themany applications from Australia to Brazil and the U.S.

to the United Arab Emirates, are high profile exampleswhere acrylic foam tape replaced screws, rivets, welds,and silicones.


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HISTORY (CONTINUED)

Available outside of the U.S. since 1990 for structuralglazing, it has been used in over 3,000 curtain wallprojects in South America, India, Europe, and Asia. Asarchitects, curtain wall fabricators and contractorsdiscover its features and analyze potential productioncost and time savings, acrylic foam structural glazingtape for structural glazing should become a viablechoice for specifiers of curtain wall glazing systems.

In Dubai, U.A.E., aluminum composite panels of W.S.Atkins & Partners-designed Burj Al Arab Hotel, openedin 1999, were bonded by acrylic foam tape to theframework to resist high wind loads in this harsh andwarm environment.


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B. DEFINITION

Acrylic foam tape is two-sided,pressure-sensitive, closed-cellacrylic foam.

Acrylic foam structural glazingtape replaces both spacer tapeand structural silicone for

structural glazing. A singleproduct comprising a solidadhesive construction, it servesas the primary bonding agentand a secondary sealing agent.Spacer tape is sometimesreferred to as structural

glazing tape and should notbe confused with acrylic foamstructural glazing tape.

Philips Headquarters inHamburg, Germany. Acrylic

foam structural glazing tapewas used to bond 2,400 glazedpanels.


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C. COMPARISON OF AFSGT & SGT

Acrylic foam structuralglazing tape replaces bothspacer tape and structuralsilicone for structural glazing.

A single product comprising

a solid adhesive construction,it serves as the primarybonding agent and asecondary sealing agent.

Is delivered fully cured, in

predefined thickness andwidth.

Spacer tape is sometimesreferred to as structuralglazing tape and should notbe confused with acrylicfoam structural glazing tape.

It serve as primary bondingagent only.

Common spacer tapedimensions are 6mm thickby 12 mm wide.


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E. ACRYLIC FOAM TAPE PRODUCT INFORMATION

Adhesive = High performance acrylic. Adhesive carrier = Conformable acrylic closed cell foam

Thickness = 0.090 in (2.3 mm) Tolerance+/- 10Percent

Density = 45 lb/cu ft (720 kg/cu m)

Standard Tape Color = Gray or Black

Liner = 0.005 in (0.125 mm) Red polyethylene film

Note: This technical information and data should be considered

representative or typical only and should not be used for specificationpurposes.


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F. PERFORMANCE:

Improved quality control because of consistent thickness and width.Product comes fully cured from the tape manufacturer

Bonds and seals simultaneously. Provides uniform stress distribution along the bond line. Has proven durability as acrylic foam tapes have been in use for

over 25 years.

Foam dampens vibration and reduces acoustic noise. 300 percent shear strain capability accommodates differentialthermal expansion and contraction.

Viscoelastic characteristics give a proper balance of properties forreliability against wind, vibration and temperature changes.

Resistant to solvents, chemicals and UV. Resistant to temperature cycling.

Third party testing documentation. (ASTM Structural PerformanceTests for Structural Glazing)


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G. PRODUCTIVITY:

Immediate handling strength. Faster throughput and delivery. Reduces need for storage space since there is no cure time. Reduced number of components for structural glazing. Spacer tape or

gaskets are eliminated. More accurate forecasting of materials required and therefore reduced

overall costs. Eliminates need for mix/ratio testing.

Minimal equipment required thereby reducing equipment maintenancecosts.

Relatively short learning curve for installation. Less waste compared with using structural silicone. Saves clean-up time. Reduced installation time. Tape can be cut to fit any length, shape, size or profile.

Reduced labor costs because of less number of fabrication steps andfaster process

100 percent nondestructive testing capability with a tape glazed system


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H. APPEARANCE:

Tape has clean crisp edge Design and appearance enhanced by virtually

invisible fastening, which gives, smooth andclean look

Uniform thickness creates repeatable results

No color mismatch between structural silicone,spacer tape and gasket

Color remains consistent from one end to theother

Standard choice of colors gray and black

Smaller gap between frame and glass

Tape bonds, seals and conforms to a variety ofsurfaces


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CONCLUSION:

Overall, the test result showed that the performanceof the panels mounted using acrylic foam structuralglazing tape was as good as the panels mountedusing the conventional structural silicone sealant. Allthe panels performed satisfactorily; there was nomeasurable air infiltration, no water penetration was

observed, and the panels withstood pressures up tothe design pressure of 60 psf (2.9 kPa) even after thepanels had gone through twenty cycles of extremetemperature cycling of -13F to 158F.

Documents

Acrylic Foam Structural Glazing