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3M VHB™ tape makes a strong connection

3M VHB™ tape makes a strong connection

3M VHB tape has been specially developed to quickly and almost invisibly create a bond between two surfaces.

Using 3M double-sided VHB™ tape can be an attractive and durable solution for applications where you are now working with rivets or a welded joint. Each project and material requires a unique solution for joining or mounting. Each type of joint has its own advantages and disadvantages. This page tells you more about 3M's Very High Bond double-sided tapes. It gives an overview of the possibilities, properties, advantages and disadvantages and other facts about 3M double-sided VHB™ tape. Always seek advice for your specific application for a strong and long-lasting bond.

Each application is unique and choosing the right tape requires specialist knowledge. Request a no-obligation visit from our representative together with a 3M tape expert to ensure you get the right advice!

What exactly does VHB™ mean

VHB stands for Very High Bonded and is a double-sided tape from 3M.

What is 3M VHB™ tape

VHB is a foam tape and available in different widths and colours. In addition, there are different qualities, each with their own unique properties. You can read more about this further on.

3M double-sided VHB™ tape for many applications

We said it before, VHB™ tape you come across in many places in everyday life. But because the tape is also transparent and available in different thicknesses, we are hardly aware of its many applications. We mention here:

Construction, cladding and VHB™ tape

When it comes to fixing exterior panels on prominent buildings such as the Chicago O'Hare Airport and the Walt Disney Concert Hall, architects rely on 3M™ VHB™ Tapes to provide a permanent bond to a variety of substrates, distributing the compressive load along the entire length of the joint.

In many electronics applications, VHB tape is used.

Electronics and VHB™ tape

3M™ VHB™ Tapes are extremely versatile and meet the rigorous standards of the electronics industry. These tapes are used to attach everything from HD television screens to moisture-proof nautical navigation systems. But consider attaching the famous Gopro with 3M VHB™ tape to your ski helmet or any other application. Weather and moisture resistant.

Transportation and VHB™ tape

Designed specifically for ease of use and durability, 3M™ VHB™ Tapes can withstand the extreme heat, cold and vibration as well as the moisture and strong UV light that vehicles encounter on the road. Unlike rivets and screws, the tapes provide a sealed barrier against all weather conditions.

Metalworking and VHB™ tape

Increase productivity on the shop floor with the efficiency of tape. Unlike rivets and welds, 3M™ VHB™ Tapes are easy to apply and require no finishing. Durable adhesion is as quick and easy as applying the tape.

Signage, billboards and VHB™ tape

Eliminating screws and rivets really brings out your design. 3M™ VHB™ Tapes guarantee a smooth surface with a virtually invisible adhesive seam, for a sleek billboard that stands out and withstands the elements.

White goods and VHB™ tape

Improve the aesthetic finish of your white goods with a virtually invisible bonding seam - a revolutionary approach to design concepts. Explore new possibilities and use new, innovative materials to optimise performance and streamline production processes.

Features of 3M VHB™ tape

Extra-strong tape 5925

VHB™ tape is always strong by itself, but some applications call for extra-strong tape. For example, the 3M 5925 Series contains a durable acrylic adhesive with viscoelastic characteristics. This results in an exceptionally strong double-sided foam tape that adheres to a wide variety of substrates.

Transparent tape

Een transparante VHB™ tape gebruikt u bij het verlijmen van transparant materiaal. Ook het monteren van doorschijnende borden met achtergrondverlichting of het verlijmen van decoratieve materialen is een veelgebruikte toepassing. Kortom, voor elke applicaties die verlijmd kan worden maar waarbij u de verbinding zo veel mogelijk aan het zicht wil onttrekken, kiest u voor een transparante schuimtape.

Heat-resistant tape

3M VHB General Purpose and High Temperature Tape has a higher initial adhesion compared to the rest of the range. The tape adheres immediately on contact, making it easy to apply and can be cut into precise shapes and sizes for specific applications.

What advantages does 3M double-sided VHB™ tape have over traditional connections such as welds and rivets?

  • Double-sided tapes can bond dissimilar and difficult to bond materials together. Different thermal expansion coefficients can be compensated up to 300% of the tape thickness.
  • A tape can connect and seal at the same time. The connection is sealed against dirt, moisture and water.
  • A 3M VHB™ tape delivers a consistent thickness of bond. The tape is available in a variety of thicknesses and widths.
  • Double-sided tape is applied over the entire surface. This prevents stress concentration at one point, thus preventing deformation of the material. Used materials can be calculated thinner, which can mean savings in several areas.
No point loading, no warping with VHB tape.
  • Double-sided tapes are applied quickly and have no drying time. However, a period must be taken into account during which the tape reaches its maximum strength.
  • VHB™ tape has good resistance to aging and environmental factors.
  • 3M double-sided tape compensates for unevenness. Components are bonded completely and without interruption. Surface roughness and unevenness are compensated by viscoelastic adhesive up to 50% of the tape thickness.
Unevenness is compensated for with double-sided foam tape for strong adhesion.
  • Tapes can increase production efficiency. No recovery of weld spots or drying time of glue or sealant. A PSA tape can be processed further immediately after pressure has been applied.
  • A double-sided VHB™ tape forms a barrier between metals, reducing galvanic corrosion.
  • With a tape joint, you create a smooth and clean appearance without visible bolts, nuts or rivets. It gives a designer a lot of freedom in his design.
  • A 3M VHB™ adhesive tape absorbs energy, making it shock absorbent. This reduces metal fatigue, noise and vibration. In addition, the thickness of the VHB™ tape is important. The thicker the tape, the better the absorbing capacity.

3M VHB brochure

In the brochure you will find various options and applications for 3M VHB™ tapes.

Download

3M VHB brochure

In the brochure you will find various options and applications for 3M VHB™ tapes.

Download

What factors should you consider when choosing 3M VHB™ tape?

The list of advantages of tape is long, but of course double-sided tape also has points of attention that you should take into account. We list these points so that you can make a good consideration:

  • The possibilities are many, but it takes knowledge to choose the right tape for your application.
  • The quality of the connection is influenced by, among other things, temperature and humidity of the environment. Although there are many possibilities in this regard, these factors can be a limiting factor.
  • For a good adhesion of the VHB tape, a thorough cleaning of the material to be processed is necessary.
  • 3M VHB™ tape is a powerful durable solution that can withstand heavy use. Breaking the bond is possible but requires effort and additional resources. A useful tool to loosen two parts from each other can be dental floss. However, a putty knife can also do good service. Watch the video for more tips on removing double-sided foam tape.

The power of double-sided VHB™ tape

When we talk about the strength of VHB tapes, we distinguish between peeling strength, splitting strength, tensile strength and dynamic shear strength. This schematic representation clearly shows the meaning of the various forces:

The durability of the tape joint depends on various forces.

The tape guide shows the various strengths per type of tape. Let the expert on tapes and adhesives inform you so that you are assured of a strong connection, also in the long term.

This video from 2009 (!) shows how strong a VHB™ tape joint can be. So you are sure to find a tape for your application as well!

How is the durability of a VHB™ tape joint tested, verified and guaranteed?

There are plenty of examples of the strength of a double-sided VHB™ joint. But you want the joint to still be as strong in the long run and not have panels fall off your facade because the adhesive has dried out or lost its elasticity and therefore adhesion.

3M conducts durability tests in so-called climate cabinets. For example, a test product using 3M VHB™ tape 4910 and 4905 is tested in a climate cabinet for 3,000 hours. The product is exposed to extreme temperatures and intense UV light. This artificially simulates an aging process. On the basis of this test data, guarantees are made regarding the expected service life taking into account proper processing and application of the VHB™ tape used.

A sample test report of the 3M 4910 and 4905 double-sided VHB™ tape can be found here.

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