Your Guide to 3M VHB Tape (2024)

You've probably heard people say that tape is the solution to all of life's problems, and they're pretty much right. The right tape can fix any challenge that you throw its way and is quick to apply, so you can get back to doing your job. It's also very likely the solution you need at your company right now.

In any business, things are likely to break, be damaged, or simply need to be connected, and in your profession, this happens quite a bit, or maybe you just need two things permanently bonded. With the need to fasten and patch things together being a constant variable in your company, it only makes sense that you would want to buy into something that would handle the jobs you need to be taken care of so you can move on to the next task.

If this is the case for you, then you'll want to invest in3M VHBdoublesided tape. 3M VHB is one of the strongest tapes ever put on the market, offering industrial power and tackling any challenge that you put it up against - and winning. But how can you be so sure that a piece of sticky tape is going to do the job you need to be done? Can VHB tape really hold up against the demanding tasks that you need to handle?

Not only can it hold up to the job, but itwilldeliver on any task. This article will discuss everything you need to know about 3M VHB tape, including what it is, what it's capable of doing, and why you seriously need to consider buying some for your business needs. Keep reading this article to find out more!

So, What Exactly is 3M VHB Tape?

There aremany types of tapethat are out on the market today. A lot of them are made to only hold simple household items, or make work in an office setting a bit easier. Others are for a specific use, such as professional painter's tape or reflective tape used on commercial vehicles. In any case, it's not often that you find a type of tape that's engineered to tackle the toughest challenges in the industry.

The 3M VHB industrial tape is an adhesive that's here to change the game.

VHB tape is a quick and efficient solution to both interior and exterior bonding solutions. And we don't mean it's a temporary fix until you find a better product; 3M tapeisthe solution. Thisadhesive tapeis designed to be a permanent method to bond on practically any surface, including metal, wood, glass, and many surface energy plastics and paints.

3M VHB tape is created using an acrylic foam, which is naturally viscoelastic (in other words, it is very elastic but able to retain its strength properties while being stretched to fit around any object. This gives the foam energy absorbing and stress relaxing properties, which allows it to fit perfectly on any surface and even move with the item it is attached to.

The VHB tape also comes in many different subcategories, or "families" of adhesive types. Since no two jobs are the same, you can buy the specific 3M VHB tape that works for your conditions. For example, the '49' family is great for a broad range of surfacesincluding glass and plastics, while the '59' family is amazing for most powder coated plastics and the RP family is geared towards metals and mismatched surfaces.

For these reasons, 3M VHB double sided tape tends to be a constant go-to choice for many industrial uses and continues to help businesses create effective solutions to industrial problems.

Your Guide to 3M VHB Tape (1)

What Kinds of Benefits Can I Expect From 3M VHB Tape?

There are a ton of benefits that come with using 3M VHB tape, with many more uses for it being created as it continues to makes its name in the industry. We'll just list a few of the most popular reasons here.

1. It's One of the Toughest Things out There

This point must be stressed first and foremost. 3M VHB tape offers one ofthe strongest bondsout of any adhesive. In fact,VHB has been certified in the industry to have a very strong bond (it's literally in the name). Its adhesive properties alone give it an incredibly durable hold on any surface, but combined with its elastic properties, it can absorb the shock of any load, making it perfect for both static and dynamic operations.

Furthermore, the powerful adhesive mix in the tape allows it to hold strong and hold long. 3M VHB tape can stay in place for many years andwill continue doing its job just as well as it did the first time it was applied.

2. It Can Work in Extreme Temperatures

Every product has a limit to the hot or cold conditions it can work in, and the same goes for tape. Most adhesives have a limited temperature range, with their cool spectrum capping off at 10 degrees Celcius or 50 degrees Fahrenheit. 3M VHB double sided tape is much more durable, being able to on average take on freezing temperatures of 0 degrees Celcius or 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

3. The Tape Can Mold to Any Shape

You undoubtedly work with equipment that has a multitude of complex parts. More often than not, those parts are too challenging tofix properly with traditional adhesives, and fasteners have a fixed shape that may not completely fix the problem.

The VHB adhesive tape can make itself useful and fix any situation no matter what the matter is. The contouring abilities of the tape allow it to stretch, squeeze, and otherwise shape itself around any surface with ease, and its foam-based material helps it to flow into microscopic irregularities in the item and seal them all shut, guaranteeing a powerful and long-lasting bond.

4. You Can't See It

No, seriously. When you use 3M VHB 5952 tape, you won't be able to see a thing after you've put it on. That's because the tape is designed to go virtually invisible after application, so you can get results that look as smooth as they are. It's just another way that 3M VHB goes the extra mile for the customers.

5. You Can Use It to Combine Dissimilar Materials

You may find yourself limited with traditional adhesives and fasteners in concerns to what you can use them on. In most cases, fasteners are designed to only fit a specific way in a specific material, and even though adhesives can be used on a decent range of surfaces, they are still limited to certain types of bonding due to the materials they may be made out of.

3M VHB tape has no limitations. VHB tape can notonly fasten together almost any surface you can throw at it, but it can also hold together surfaces made from entirely different materials with absolutely no problem. Feel free to combine metal with wood, wood with plastic, or anything else your heart desires; the VHB tape will hold it together and offer you guaranteed security.

6. It Offers Double the Power

The 3M VHB tape comes with not one, buttwosides of adhesive sticking power, so you can get double the strength and double the power from every use. This means that it doesn't just cover up cracks or fasten smallsections; the VHB tape can combine whole parts together using both of its sides, offering its strength to complete even the biggest projects.

Why Should I Switch 3M VHB Tape With My Usual Fasteners?

We know that you've grown quite fond of your traditional fasteners, and tradition is a great thing to have. However, sometimes change is necessary to do more and upgrade your business to new heights. With 3M VHB tape, that's exactly what you can expect. Here are a few reasons you'll want to switch things up.

1. It's Very Cost-Efficient

Have you ever tallied how much you spend on all of your rivets, clamps, bolts, and other holds and fasteners? You probably haven't, but we're pretty sure it's quite a bit - so much that you're better off not looking at the numbers for fear of cringing.

Buying 3M VHB tape is as cheap as you can get when it comes to fasteners - but that doesn't mean it's a low-quality product in any way. In fact, VHB tape is on par with (and arguably better than) almost any other fastening product currently on the market, helping you take care of your problems for onlya fraction of the price.

2.One Size Fits All

Not only can fasteners be a drain on the wallet, but they can also be cumbersome, hard to find when you need them, and easy to lose when you have them. This can cause delays in work progress, and make it difficult to complete the objective at hand.

With VHB tape, your chances of being caught in this problem are drastically reduced. The adhesive tape can work in the place of a fastener for almost any project; simply grab the tape, place or wrap it around the material, andvoila!The problem is solved, and the material can be used as soon as the tape has finished bonding to the surface.

3. No Need for the Extra Mechanical Work

Let's say you want to use a new fastener to connect two pieces, but these piecesdon't have the proper female counterparts to easily place the fasteners into. To connect them, you'll have to modify the pieces so the fastener can fit properly. This could end up causing more problems than it's worth.

Drilling, riveting, welding, and other forms of parts modification are very time-consuming to complete, especially if you don't have the equipment or know-how to do it by yourself on-site. That's not to mention you may also need to modify the type of fastener you use, which could mean getting a custom manufacturing job done. All of this leads to an unnecessary waste of time and money.

3M VHB tape doesn't need any of these modifications, professional workmanship, or extra cash to work its wonders. It's really as simple as placing a strip of tape along the areas that need bonding, and that's that. The only "extra" in this equation is that it's extra fast.

Get Your Own Tape Today

It's clear that 3m VHB tape is one of the best adhesive and fastening solutions ever offered on the industrial market, and having some of your own would only benefit your business tenfold. Simply put, it's time to dump the traditional fasteners and go for the modern fix. Make sure you don't miss out on this incredible piece of equipment and buy your tape today. You won't regret making the switch!

We're Here to Lend a Hand

Now that you know all about the benefits of 3M VHB tape, you should have no problem deciding on whether or not you should buy it for your business. The next step is figuring out where to go to buy the tape that you need. Luckily for you, we can help you out with that.

At Strouse, what we offer is more than just tape; we give companies like yours a solution to any challenge that you happen to come up against, and one that's bound to continue giving you the results that you want every time. Not only can we help you select the right 3M VHB tape for your job, but we can provide it in a format that is most conducive to your process, whether that is in rolls, die cuts, sheets or multi stack lamination. We offer 3M VHB double sided tape, as well as tape masking solutions, medical device adhesives, surface protecting tape, industrial and fastener tape, and so much more.

Our products work so well and our brand is so popular that we're able to work in many industries, including the aerospace, automotive, electronics, industrial, medical, and military and defense industries. It's clear that what we have to offer is a benefit to all who decide to use our brand.

Want to learn more? Feel like giving us a chat? Simplyreach out to uswith a call or a message, and we'll be sure to get back in touch with you to answer any questions you may have. Better yet, ask us about how to get your hands on our samples, so you can test out our products and see the results with your own eyes. We look forward to hearing from you and helping your business succeed!

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Your Guide to 3M VHB Tape (2)

Written by Sue Chambers

As the CEO and President of Strouse Corporation, Sue Chambers is responsible for leading all facets of the business. Sue has a proven executive management track record and over 20 years of experience driving sales growth and operational innovation in the adhesive conversion industry. Sue possesses strong leadership, strategic vision, and savvy marketing skills. Sue has an MBA from Loyola University in Maryland. Since 1997 Sue Chambers joined Strouse and led the transformation into an enterprise-focused company while growing the company into a world leader in the innovative production of pressure-sensitive adhesive with revenue of over 20 million and growing. In the last three years, Strouse revenue has grown 62%; the number of employees has grown and continues to achieve and maintain ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 certification. Strouse built a new production plant going from 40,000 to 62,500 square feet, increasing the production space by 50%. The building also can expand to 82,500 sq. Feet. Sue is active in the community serving on the Industrial Development Board presently and earning several business awards over the years. Most recently, 3M has recognized Strouse as a supplier of the year. She is also on the Dale Chambers Foundation board that raises money for local charities in the community.

Your Guide to 3M VHB Tape (2024)

FAQs

Your Guide to 3M VHB Tape? ›

When bonding paints and plastics, use VHB tapes 4941, 4991, 5925, 5952, 5962, or 4945. When bonding to unlike materials, the liner side of VHB tapes 4618, 4622, and 4624 has good adhesion to paints and plastics. For surfaces with texture needing a more solid bond use VHB tapes or 4941 or 4991.

How do I choose a 3M VHB tape? ›

When bonding paints and plastics, use VHB tapes 4941, 4991, 5925, 5952, 5962, or 4945. When bonding to unlike materials, the liner side of VHB tapes 4618, 4622, and 4624 has good adhesion to paints and plastics. For surfaces with texture needing a more solid bond use VHB tapes or 4941 or 4991.

What does VHB not stick to? ›

Surfaces that are rough, porous or fibered are the worst to apply the 3M VHB Tape on.

Is VHB the strongest tape? ›

3M VHB tape offers one of the strongest bonds out of any adhesive. In fact, VHB has been certified in the industry to have a very strong bond (it's literally in the name).

How long do you leave VHB tape on? ›

After application, the bond strength will increase as the adhesive flows onto the surface. At room temperature, approximately 50% of the ultimate strength will be achieved after 20 minutes, 90% after 24 hours and 100% after 72 hours.

What is the most powerful 3M double-sided tape? ›

3M VHB is truly one of the strongest double-sided tapes on the market. From its resistance to extreme conditions to its durability, VHB is a product that does it all. Replace rivets, welds, screws, bolts, and other kinds of mechanical fasteners all with one product.

Should I heat 3M tape before applying? ›

Check the Temperature

If the tape or the surface is too hot or too cold, it won't stick. If it's sweltering outside, wait until the evening when it cools down to apply the tape. If it's too cold, try to warm up the tape and the surface before application.

How long does 3M VHB last? ›

All 3M™ VHB™ Tapes have a shelf life of 24 months from date of manufacture when stored at 40°F to 100°F (4°C to 38°C) and 0-95% relative humidity. The optimum storage conditions are 72°F (22°C) and 50% relative humidity.

What is the strongest tape in the world? ›

World's Strongest. Duct Tape

No tape comes close to T-Rex® Brute Force® tape when it comes to ferocious strength.

How many pounds can 3M VHB tape hold? ›

For your toughest jobs, go for our strongest hold–Scotch-Mount™ Extreme Double-Sided Mounting Tape with its 3M™ industrial strength adhesive. Equipped with our powerful permanent adhesive, this double-sided tape defies gravity, holding an item up to 30 pounds.

How do you make 3M double-sided tape stick better? ›

How To Use Double-Sided Tape
  1. Choose the right tape for the job.
  2. Ensure the tape and the surface is warm enough.
  3. Clean the surface with rubber alcohol.
  4. Test the surface.
  5. Apply adequate pressure.
  6. Avoid sun exposure.
  7. Store your tape correctly before use.

Does VHB tape have to cure? ›

The tapes bond on contact, assemble easily and can be cut to precise shapes and sizes for custom applications. 3M VHB Tapes don't require a cure time and can be used in pre-assembly processes.

What does 3M VHB stand for? ›

3M was the first to introduce and mass market their VHB – Very High Bonding Tape. Engineers have been using 3M VHB Tapes since 1980 to permanently bond and seal metals, plastics and other surfaces to increase productivity, durability and improve appearance.

Is 3M VHB tape waterproof? ›

Assemble the components of your extreme-action camera for impact resistance and durability. Rain, sun, wind, heat or cold, 3M™VHB™ Tape is weather-proven to stand the test of time.

What temperature should I apply 3M VHB? ›

As mentioned previously, 3M published the corresponding minimum temperatures for their VHB line to ensure the most successful adhesive application. It's important to note that the ideal application range for VHB is 70 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit (21-38oC).

What is the most permanent double-sided tape? ›

The strongest double-sided tape is usually considered UHB, or Ultra High Bonding, tape. UHB tape offers superior adhesion on both sides of the tape to secure rugs, hang pictures, and more.

What is the strongest tape in us? ›

T-Rex® Brute Force

Built with Forge-Link™ Technology, an extreme tensile cloth, one loop of T-Rex Brute Force tape holds 700+ pounds of weight, making it the strongest duct tape on the market.

Is Gorilla double-sided tape strong? ›

Gorilla® Double-Sided Tape is made with a strong adhesive that is thick on both sides for a heavy duty bond. This tape is great for securing items indoors and out. Gorilla® Double-Sided Tape sticks to smooth and rough surfaces including carpet, rugs, flooring, wood, stone, brick, metal, vinyl, plastic, paper, and more.

What is the solvent for VHB tape? ›

1) Spray WD-40 over the tape and the surrounding area and leave it to soak for a few minutes. If the tape is attached to a vertical surface, grab a towel, and soak the solution into it and use the towel to wipe away the residue. 2) After a few minutes, grab a small knife or any other thin product to peel away the tape.

Does 3M VHB tape damage walls? ›

Hope that helps. see less The 3M adhesive is one of the best if not the best for daily home use, and it usually does not damage the paint of the wall, but that depends on the type of paint and the manner in which the adhesive is removed.

Why is my 3m tape not sticky? ›

With repetitive use or exposure to dust particles, tab may loose stickiness. Gently wash with soapy water, rinse and air dry to refresh stickiness. *Note: Removable adhesive may stick aggressively to some surfaces.

How much pressure do you need for VHB tape? ›

Applying 3M VHB Tapes

Immediately press it down firmly or roll over it with a pressure of approx. 20 N/cm².

How strong is VHB double-sided tape? ›

It's really strong. Not as strong as a structural adhesive like DP420 (with its overlap shear strength of about 4500 PSI), but for applications like the ones above, VHB's ~100 PSI dynamic tensile and 1000 PSI static shear strengths are *well* within my design objectives. It's really easy to apply.

What tape does the military use? ›

Polyken 231 Military Grade Duct Tape, Used For Aerospace And Military Packaging, Is A Waterproof Packaging And Sealing Duct Tape That Offers High Performance For The Most Demanding Applications. Polyken 231 Can Be Effectively Used For Surface Masking And Media Blast Protection On Cars And Other Vehicles.

What is the best tape that sticks to everything? ›

Gorilla Tape easily topped our list of duct tapes thanks to its incredible holding power and durability. While it's certainly not the cheapest option in this roundup, it's also not the most expensive. And because it's so strong, you'll need to use less of it for each task.

What is the hardest tape to cut? ›

10X STRONGER THAN DUCT TAPE: FiberFix 10X Tape is the solution to all your breaks, tears, and cracks. Use your pocket knife to cut this heavy duty tape that WON'T TEAR, WON'T BREAK, AND WON'T GIVE.

Does alcohol make tape stick better? ›

Immediately before placing the tape, clean the area with rubbing alcohol. This will clean your skin of any dirt and oil that you can't see, and will give the tape a nice, clean surface to adhere to.

Does heating up tape make it stick better? ›

Higher or lower temperature

Basically, tape or other forms of adhesion, will stick much, much better. Higher temperatures will make adhesive too soft and almost useless. On the other hand, lower temperatures will maintain the adhesive too hard to connect to another surface, so tape won't stick!

Is VHB tape water proof? ›

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.
...
Product information.
Manufacturer‎VHB
Water Resistance Level‎Waterproof
Size‎5mm
Compatible Material‎Acrylic
3 more rows

What is the strongest 3M glue? ›

3M™ Hi-Strength 90 Spray Adhesive is capable of forming extremely strong bonds on a wide array of materials, including paper, cardboard, fabric and insulation. It also works well with plastic, metal, wood and much more.

How long does 3M tape last? ›

Long-term durability – We consider our VHB tapes to be a permanent bonding tape. It is formulated to last for decades in both interior and exterior applications.

What is VHB tape good for? ›

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.

Is 3M VHB double-sided tape removable? ›

3M™ VHB™ Tapes are easy-to-use for separating bonded parts and removing residue. They bond most surfaces permanently — but if you have to separate the surfaces and remove residue, 3M also has the tools for a fast, effective job.

Will 3M VHB stick to brick? ›

For lightweight bonding solutions in an outdoor environment, 3M Soft Sealing Joining Tapes provide the perfect solution for bonding to uneven surfaces such as brick, concrete and wood. For indoor use, 3M Multi-purpose Mounting Tapes can be used on most surfaces and are ideal for attaching lightweight objects.

Does 3M VHB tape leave residue? ›

Another characteristic of 3M adhesives is its stickiness that leaves an unwanted residue. It is an eyesore and makes a workstation look dirty or untidy. It could be a masterpiece one day, and the next, once you remove it, your boss is giving you a death stare because of the residue it left.

How much weight will 3M VHB tape hold? ›

For your toughest jobs, go for our strongest hold–Scotch-Mount™ Extreme Double-Sided Mounting Tape with its 3M™ industrial strength adhesive. Equipped with our powerful permanent adhesive, this double-sided tape defies gravity, holding an item up to 30 pounds.

Why does my double-sided tape keep falling off? ›

Check the Temperature

If the tape or the surface is too hot or too cold, it won't stick. If it's sweltering outside, wait until the evening when it cools down to apply the tape. If it's too cold, try to warm up the tape and the surface before application.

What does VHB stand for in 3M tape? ›

3M was the first to introduce and mass market their VHB – Very High Bonding Tape. Engineers have been using 3M VHB Tapes since 1980 to permanently bond and seal metals, plastics and other surfaces to increase productivity, durability and improve appearance.

Is there permanent double sided tape? ›

Double sided tape comes in two varieties: permanent and removable. These tapes are coated with adhesive on both sides which makes them a no-mess alternative to glue for light-duty attaching and mounting.

Is permanent double sided tape actually permanent? ›

Scotch® Permanent Double Sided Tape is coated with photo-safe, permanent adhesive on both sides. For the light duty attaching you do for activities around the house, get it done fast and get it done right without the drips, clogs and air bubbles of glue.

What is the equivalent to VHB? ›

There are two dominant adhesive types used in place of mechanical fasteners: double-coated tape and double coated foam tape. Both of these tapes are double-sided, and each comes in a variety of thicknesses to suit numerous applications.

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