Strength is often associated with size. The bigger, the stronger, right? That may go for bodybuilders and heavy-duty vehicles, but it’s not a universal truth. To paraphrase a common idiom, strong things can come in small packages.
Case in point – 3M™ VHB™ Tapes are strong enough to fasten construction materials and passenger buses, even though it’s nearly invisible once installed. If you’re not familiar with this impressive tape (or want new ideas on how to use it), this article is for you.
VHB stands for Very High Bond – and the tape absolutely lives up to its name. Designed for high-strength and long-lasting bonding applications, 3M VHB is a family of double-sided tapes that can often replace rivets, screws, spots, or other mechanical fasteners, and be used to join a wide variety of materials. Not only is the tape quick and easy to apply, but it bonds and seals at the same time.
Made from closed-cell acrylic foam, VHB is flexible, viscoelastic (meaning the adhesive flows into microscopic irregularities on the surface to create an extra-strong bond), and can be easily converted to custom sizes. Not only is 3M VHB tape truly innovative – it’s also proven. The technology was introduced in 1980 and has been validated through continuous testing and countless real-life applications.
Featuring unique characteristics, 3M VHB opens the door to new design possibilities or offers a simple way to enhance an existing product. Here are just a few key benefits of this ultra-strong boding solution.
After 40+ years on the market, 3M VHB has become a proven solution for many industries. As a testament to its versatility, the tape delivers unique advantages to each type of application.
To demonstrate how VHB Tape enables better, smarter, and more creative products, the 3M team used the product to design and build a custom scooter.
To achieve the highest level of performance and durability, it’s important to choose the most appropriate 3M VHB tape for your application. Here are a few questions we ask clients early in the design process.
With five VHB Tape Families and dozens of products, one of the biggest challenges (and most common pitfalls) is selecting the appropriate tape for your application. At Tapecon, we provide material recommendations based on the required size, assembly type, substrates, application temperature, and industry specifications. Plus, as a 3M Preferred Converter, we can custom convert the raw tape into nearly any size or shape you need for your application. We’re always ready to show product teams what’s possible with VHB Tape.
With over 100 years of manufacturing experience, Tapecon works with product teams to solve challenges, create products, and enhance lives. Learn more about our custom materials converting capabilities.