

When materials are bought in bulk and stored in dusty, wet or extremely hot or cold conditions for extended periods, the adhesive deteriorates. If you leave milk on the counter overnight, it spoils. In this scenario, 1/4” wide might fall, but 1/2″ might do it. Think of it this way: Is there a big enough surface of sticky stuff applied to a substrate to hold the weight of the object stuck to the other side of the tape? Likewise, does the “other side” have a large enough surface of sticky stuff applied to it to hold the weight of the object? For example: If you need to adhere poly sheeting to a wall, you need to have a wide enough strip of double-coated tape to be able to hold the weight of the poly sheeting to the wall.

The correct surface contact to weight ratio plays a factor. This will considerably reduce any tendency to migrate, thereby preventing tape failure. When using this type of material, choose a high-quality, double-coated tape specifically designed for PVC applications. If a typical pressure-sensitive adhesive is applied to PVC and allowed to remain in place for a prolonged period, the plasticizer will migrate from the PVC surface into the pressure-sensitive adhesive making the glue a gummy mess. This movement is known as “migration.”įor example, consider PVC: plasticized to provide flexibility, it is a lower-cost, lower-molecular weight material. Liquids such as oils, plasticizers, and dyes are a lighter weight material and can therefore easily “move” from the product (the surface) to be absorbed by any adjacent material (the tape). If the area where you will be using the tape sees above-average UV exposure, you may need to consider a different tool for the job.

Absolutely not the qualities you want in a tape that needs to hold for any duration in a particular application. Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light can cause certain chemical materials (such as natural and some synthetic rubbers as well as polyethylene) to become hard and brittle. To prevent tape failure, prepare the surface, give it a quick wash with rubbing alcohol and dry it with a clean cloth.

Traces of dust, dirt, grease, and even the slightest hint of moisture before bonding will contaminate the adhesive surface and act as a barrier between the two. If you must work at lower temperatures, then use a temperature-sensitive double-sided tape specifically designed for colder climates. And on the flip side, extremely high temperatures can cause the adhesive to melt and lose its strength. Are both the tape and the surface at least 18✬/65✯? The tackiness of the adhesive tape is very temperature-dependent, and the colder the conditions, the weaker the bond will be. When in doubt, test the adhesive first to prevent tape failure.Ĭarefully factor in the temperature. Or, perhaps, it’s too aggressive and caused damage to the surface it was applied to. Maybe the one you chose isn’t aggressive enough and it fell off. Not all double-sided tapes are created equal. The package label made lofty promises, but generally speaking, adhesive testing should always be done before using double-sided tape.
#3m thin double sided tape amazon how to
Here are the 8 most common reasons your double-sided tape won’t stick and how to prevent tape failure. It’s easy to assume the tape itself is to blame, but truth be told, there are some other usual suspects to consider first. Heavy-duty double-sided tape is useful in a wide range of construction scenarios, but no tool is perfect for every job. Double sided tapes for consumer use can be found here. Note: This page is about double sided tapes for industrial and manufacturing applications.Learn more about 3M™ VHB™ Tapes and 3M™ Thin Bonding Tapes using the links below, or view specific products using the Products links. Double sided tapes can be customized by a converter to provide the precise shape you need for your final design.Our adhesive experts are happy to work with you to determine which of our thousands of tapes best meets your needs. A double sided tape that has a carrier can be produced with the same adhesive on both sides, or with different adhesives to meet the bonding requirements of different substrates. Similarly, adhesives can meet specific needs from low-tack that allows for repositioning all the way up to a permanent bonding solutions. A carrier that holds adhesive can range from a film as thin as a fraction of a millimeter up to a thick foam that helps damp vibrations. A double sided tape has pressure-sensitive adhesive exposed on both sides, allowing two parts to be bonded together by the tape between them.
