VHBTM Acrylic Foam TapesYour alternative to rivets, screws and welding.

Improving your productivity by speeding up your assembly processes

What makes 3M TM VHBTM Acrylic Foam Tapes soextraordinary?For over 20 years, we have been at the forefront of change in industrial assembly technology. Our VeryHigh Bond acrylic foam tapes are high performing and economical alternatives to traditional mechani-cal fastening systems. Little or no investment in machinery is required. Your products are of betterquality, stronger, better looking and of higher resistance to corrosion and environment. Now, take alook at what VHB Tape means for you!

Quality advantages• strong and durable bonds• no drilling or welding• no grinding or finishing of the bond• seamless finished product• vibration dampening• uniform bondline• enhanced aesthetics• excellent sealing properties• UV resistant• chemical resistant

Cost advantages• no expensive machinery required• fast assembly process• reduced re-working• lower labour costs• no investment costs

Flexibility• perfect for metals, plastics, glass…• joins dissimilar materials• increases design possibilities• compensates for differential thermal

expansion rates• can be applied in-house or on-site• can be die-cut to your requirements

Finishing time is reduced and appearance enhancedby eliminating screws, rivets and welding.

Simple hand roller pressure and the bond ismade.

Initial adhesion Very strong adhesion immediately

Textured surfaces Capability to conform to texturedsurfaces

Stress distribution Reduces point loads associatedwith mechanical fastenings.

Temperature resistance Bond withstands high tempera-tures

Solvent resistanceCapacity to resist chemicals,cleaning agents etc.

Humidity resistanceWithstands harsh weatherconditions

HSE* substrates High level of performance onmetals and most plastics*HSE - High Surface Energy (readilybonded substrates)

LSE* substrates Level of performance on LSEplastics, powder paints*LSE - Low Surface Energy (difficult tobond substrates)

0 -1 -2

Low temperature applicationVHB tape can be applied attemperatures as low as 0°C.

Low temperature resistance Bond withstands very coldtemperatures

Static loadGood static shear properties

liner

acrylic foamcore

VHB acrylic foam tape

pressure

substrate

substrate

pressure

VHB tape differs from regular foam tapes by its100% pure acrylic adhesive core so it has highcohesive strength

This sample is bonded with VHB tape. Try to separate the twofoils and pull as hard as you can. VHB tape is viscoelastic – itstretches as it absorbs the force applied to the bond and thenreturns to its original shape.

How VHB Acrylic Foam Tape works

Sample

Benefits

Characteristics

Commercial vehiclesExterior panels are bonded directly ontothe support frame without drilling, screwsor welding. No holes means no leakage orcorrosion points, and no screws means aflat, smooth finish ideal for perfectapplication of graphic material onto trucksand buses of all types.VHB tape also reduces vibration andrattles as well as surface induced galvaniccorrosion, and seals the bond to make ittotally watertight.

ElectronicsTiny modern electronic products can nolonger be constrained by heavy, old-fash-ioned assembly materials. VHB tape canbe precisely die-cut to bond and seal exactshapes, to absorb shock when circuits arefitted to their housing, to guarantee thatunderwater cameras and lenses are water-proof…. and all this with virtually noweight added to the product.

SignsSigns have greater graphic impact whenassembled with VHB tape. Materials areundistorted by drilling, screwing or weld-ing, and extreme weather conditions, e.g.very high winds, and have no effect onthe bond. Additionally, as VHB tape bondsdissimilar materials and has very highstatic load bearing capacities, you candecide exactly how you want your sign tolook and the material from which it ismade.

3MTM VHBTM Acrylic Foam Tapes: The industry standard

VHB tape dampens vibration for a smoother,quieter ride

VHB tape bonds the panel to the frame in oneoperation and provides better aesthetics to thegraphics

With their thermal conductivity properties, VHBtapes are perfect for assembly of automotiveelectronics such as heat sinks

VHB tape bonds the glass window of this electri-cal cabinet to the metal door without anymechanical fasteners

VHB tape enables simple, quick and reliable fixingof the sign face to its support for a smooth, cleanfinish

WELDED STEEL FRAME

VHB TAPE

ALUMINUM EXTERIOR PANEL

VHB TAPE

VHB TAPE

INTERIOR PANEL

TRAIN INTERIOR

FLEX CIRCUIT

VHB TAPE

RIGIDIZER

ALUMINIUMPROFILEGLASS VHB TAPE

ALUMINUMEXTRUSIONCHANNEL

VHB TAPE

ALUMINUM SIGN FACE

ConstructionFor internal and external use. VHBTM tapebonds architectural panels seamlessly totheir frames and decorative features to theexteriors of windows. VHB tapecompensates for different rates of thermalexpansion so you are free to choose yourmaterials with one less constraint to worryabout. VHB clear tape is used for bonding modules to

solar panels

VHB tape is used in many architectural projectsfrom facade cladding to structural glazing

We can only show you a few of the VHB tape applications - you may encounter somewe haven’t seen before. Have a look around your assembly unit, is someone using welding materials, fastenersor a vibration absorber on a product ?Call us and we will be delighted to talk to you about how VHB can help improve yourproduction processes.

Stiffeners at the back of traffic signs areattached to the main panel with VHB tape. Thisprevents metal corrosion and allows the use of3MTM ScotchliteTM reflective films

Imagine the possibilities

Important Notice:The information contained in this brochure is based on tests and data which 3M believes tobe reliable, but the accuracy or completeness of such statements and information is notguaranteed. The user is responsible for determining whether a specific 3M VHB tape issuitable for the purpose intended and for the user’s method of application.All questions of liability relating to 3M VHB tapes are governed by our terms of sale subject,where applicable to prevailing law.

Tapes & Adhesives Group3M United Kingdom PLC

3M House, PO Box 1, Market Place, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 1JUCustomer Support CentreTel : 0870 6080 050Fax : 0870 6070 099E-mail: tapes&adhesives.uk@mmm.com

Tapes & Adhesives Group3M Ireland

3M House, Adelphi CentreDun LaoghaireCo. DublinTel : (01) 280 3555Fax : (01) 280 3509

PANEL

STIFFENER

VHB TAPE

SUSPENDEDFRAMING

VHB TAPE

MIRROREDPANEL

VHB and 3M are trademarks of the 3M Co.

GLASS

RESINVHB TAPE

WAFER

VHB TAPE

METALPANEL

VHB TAPE

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