I bet wherever you’re reading this blog article, at this very moment, you’re within an arm’s length of pressure sensitive adhesive tape (or PSA tape) in some form.

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That’s how prevalent its use is in our modern world. And for good reason! PSA tape has helped change how we spend our days and has improved (and saved!) lives. It’s so important that we previously dedicated a 3-part series to pressure sensitive adhesive tape.

In this blog article, let’s touch on some of the many ways adhesive tape is used (we included 10) and how often you likely use it without even knowing.

How Important is Adhesive Tape? Try Living Without These

• Skyscrapers — The windows installed throughout 1,000-foot-tall buildings are held on by pressure sensitive adhesive tape. It’s not an everyday adhesive product, but it is a powerful PSA.
  
  
• Electronic Devices — We wouldn't be enjoying the convenience of smartphones in their current format without clear pressure sensitive tape, which holds the thin screens of the smartphone on. In fact, most modern electronic devices (and everything with a touchscreen) use thin bonding solutions to reduce their footprint and reduce the overall weight by removing mechanical fasteners.
  
  
• Mass Transit — Airplanes, busses, trains, and more use PSA tape in different ways. You don’t see any screw holes or bolt holes in a car’s inside paneling because those are held on by pressure sensitive adhesives. The clean look of modern dashboards and touchscreens is possible because of PSAs.
  
  
• Shipping Labels — Amazon alone ships approximately 1.6 million packages each day. That’s a lot of valuable products that can only be delivered when the label functions properly.
  
  
• Scar Reduction — In the medical field, stitches and staples are being replaced by adhesive tapes that put tension onto the wound dressing to hold it closed as it heals. This minimizes the resulting scar.
  
  
• Wound Care — Instead of using gauze or other rolls of cloth material, pressure sensitive tapes create a hemostatic seal over the wound that keeps out foreign bodies and prevents infection. The use of PSAs reduce how much material is used and increase the wound care’s effectiveness.
  
  
• Surgical Applications — When a patient needs a catheter or IV put in, it’s held firm by a pressure sensitive adhesive.
  
  
• Diagnostic Tests — Many handheld diagnostic tests using microfluidics and other very small components are held together by various pressure sensitive adhesives. 
  
  
• Mobile Monitoring Devices — Medical devices that are applied onto the human body and monitor in real-time — glucose monitors, heartbeat monitors, lung capacity monitors (especially useful during the pandemic) — provide mobility to active patients, letting them go about their normal lives … and they all rely on PSAs.
  
  
• Transdermal Patches — Drugs can be delivered to a patient gradually, at a specific rate, throughout a day or week using transdermal patches with PSAs, ensuring a constant supply of the drug. What about mixing the active chemical with an adhesive? Chemists design some patches to have those two mix and be safely distributed together. For chemicals that shouldn't be mixed, wells in the patch itself contain the chemical, or a mesh is infused with the chemical in the patch.

With 6 of our 10 examples coming from the medical field, you can say that modern medicine is held together with tape! That heavy use of PSAs is also common in electronics, automotive, packaging, construction, appliances, printing, and nearly every other industry you can name.

Flexible Material Converters are the PSA Experts

Although pressure sensitive tape is used throughout every business type, it’s the world’s flexible materials converters that lead the way in PSA innovations.

From thousands of precision die cut adhesive applications to low-profile 3M™ VHB™ and acrylic foam tapes, converters understand bonding solutions like few others do. As modern materials continue to replace mechanical fasteners and welds, it’s the converters that are seeing and evaluating projects from top to bottom, considering function, material, design, and budget to create cutting-edge solutions.

Experience

Generally speaking, the more experience a converter has, the more in-house experts they’ll employ who can design the exact right adhesive solution. Plus, they have the equipment to test different features: how it will behave, peel testing, overall strength testing, etc.

How else do full-service adhesive tape converters make a difference? They ...

• take time to understand the challenges a customer faces with their product or assembly
• can quickly produce a sample/prototype
• test different materials and designs
• meet strict deadlines
• ensure that a designed solution drives a positive business outcome for the customer

Samples

We just mentioned a sample/prototype. Expertise here can quickly elevate a converter’s value. The right sampling department creates multiple samples to test in real-world applications, which ultimately provides the best feedback for what is trying to be accomplished. Real-world field testing proves out a concept, or at least focuses future efforts to maximize the next sample.

Innovation

When a converter has engineers in-house, complete products can be invented that use adhesive tape. During the pandemic, Strouse took the initiative to design and sell face shields that were 100% automated. That is, they were completely assembled on existing equipment; raw materials entered the machine and PSAs were added to create face shields at a rate of 75 per minute.

Trust

Selecting an adhesive converter to work with isn’t easy. Choose poorly, and you’re stuck with low-quality parts, late shipments, project headaches, and wasted dollars. To help build trust in a converter (without having the hindsight of years of partnership), we created a Checklist for Choosing an Adhesive Converter. It helps evaluate performance to ensure you’re getting maximum value. Also, review these 11 questions you should ask a converter.

So, do you think you’re within an arm’s length of PSA tape right now? You likely are unless you live in the middle of nowhere and have no contact with the outside world. In that case, you wouldn’t be reading this blog, would you?

For over five decades, Austen Direct has been helping UK businesses transform their assembly processes by replacing mechanical fasteners with high-performance 3M™ VHB™ adhesive tape solutions. Whether you’re a signage manufacturer looking to eliminate visible fasteners or a commercial vehicle builder seeking to reduce assembly time, our technical specialists provide the expertise you need to succeed.

As authorised distributors for both 3M™ and tesa®, we don’t just supply products – we solve bonding challenges through our proven consultative approach.

Why Choose Austen Direct for Your 3M™ VHB™ Tape Needs?

✓ Expert 3M™ VHB™ adhesive tape selection and application guidance for your specific substrates
✓ Comprehensive surface preparation protocols ensuring successful foam tape bonding
✓ Technical support for double sided tape applications in demanding environments
✓ Specialized solutions for construction, signage, and commercial vehicle assembly
✓ Authorized 3M distributor with access to the complete VHB™ tape product range

Ready to get started? Contact our VHB specialists or try our interactive selection guide below.

Understanding 3M™ VHB™ Tape Technology

3M™ VHB™ (Very High Bond) tape represents a revolutionary approach to permanent bonding. Unlike traditional mechanical fasteners, VHB tape uses a unique viscoelastic acrylic foam core that provides both liquid-like flow properties for intimate surface contact and elastic behavior for stress distribution and vibration dampening.

What Makes VHB Tape Different?

The secret lies in the closed-cell acrylic foam construction. This advanced material:

• Flows like a liquid to fill microscopic surface irregularities
• Acts like an elastic solid to absorb shock and distribute stress
• Creates waterproof seals through its closed-cell structure
• Accommodates thermal expansion between dissimilar materials
• Provides permanent bonding that often outlasts the substrates themselves

This dual nature allows 3M™ VHB™ tape to replace rivets, screws, and welds while offering superior aesthetics, faster assembly, and enhanced durability.

Interactive 3M™ VHB™ Tape Selection Guide

Use our comprehensive selection tool below, developed by our technical team using 50 years of application experience. This interactive guide helps you find the perfect adhesive solution for your specific requirements.

The Definitive UK Guide to 3M VHB Tape | austen instant tapes Ltd

Build Better Products, Faster.

Discover how 3M™ VHB™ Tape replaces rivets, screws, and welds to create stronger, lighter, and more aesthetic products. Your definitive guide from austen instant tapes Ltd, the UK’s adhesive specialists for over 50 years.

Find Your Perfect Tape

The VHB™ Advantage

VHB™ tape isn’t just sticky. Its unique viscoelastic core solves multiple challenges at once.

⬌

Stress Distribution

Eliminates stress points from rivets and screws, preventing fatigue and material failure by spreading the load across the entire bond line.

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Vibration Damping

The elastic foam core absorbs and dissipates vibrational energy, resulting in quieter vehicles and more durable signs that resist rattling.

♨

Thermal Expansion

Accommodates the natural expansion and contraction of different materials, preventing buckling or panel distortion in fluctuating UK temperatures.

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Durable Seal

The 100% closed-cell foam creates a permanent, watertight seal against moisture and contaminants, preventing corrosion from the inside out.

VHB™ Product Selector

Answer a few questions to find the ideal VHB™ tape for your project. This tool acts as a virtual consultation, narrowing down the options to the best fit.

Step 1: What is your industry? Step 2: What is the application?

Step 3: What materials are you bonding?

Your Recommended VHB™ Tapes

VHB™ in Action

See how VHB™ tape solves real-world challenges in UK signage and commercial vehicle manufacturing.

The Bottom Line: Your ROI

The initial cost of tape is only part of the story. Calculate your potential savings by switching from mechanical fasteners to VHB™ tape.

Cost Comparison Calculator

Units per Month Fasteners per Unit Workshop Labour Rate (£/hr) Time per Fastener (minutes) Cost per Fastener (£)

Projected Monthly Cost Comparison

Based on your inputs

Potential Annual Savings:

£0

Application Mastery

Achieving a perfect bond is a science. Follow these critical steps for guaranteed performance.

1

Clean the Surface

The golden rule. Use a 50:50 mix of Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) and water with a lint-free cloth. A clean, dry surface is non-negotiable for a strong bond.

2

Apply Firm Pressure

VHB is a Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive. Use a J-roller to apply at least 15 psi (100 kPa) of pressure. This forces the adhesive to “wet out” and make full contact with the substrate.

3

Allow Time to Bond

The bond builds strength over 72 hours. While it has immediate handling strength, avoid applying full operational loads until the bond has fully matured.

Typical Bond Strength Build-Up (at 21°C)

© austen instant tapes Ltd. All rights reserved.

3M and VHB are trademarks of 3M Company.

Need expert validation of your selection? Our technical specialists can review your requirements and provide personalized recommendations. Schedule a consultation with our VHB experts.

Industry-Specific Applications: Where We Make a Difference

Signage Manufacturing Excellence

Channel Letter Bonding
Transform your channel letter production with 3M™ VHB™ clear tape solutions. We help you achieve invisible bonds between acrylic faces and metal returns, eliminating visible fasteners while ensuring long-term durability in outdoor environments.

Outdoor Sign Mounting Systems
Weather-resistant foam adhesive applications for permanent sign installation. We specify the correct VHB™ tape family for your substrate combination, whether bonding to powder-coated aluminum, painted steel, or composite materials.

LED Display Assembly
Specialized adhesive tape systems for illuminated signage applications. Our solutions provide excellent optical clarity while managing thermal expansion and electrical insulation requirements.

For more industrial adhesive tape supplierinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

Common Signage Applications:

• Channel letters and dimensional signage
• Outdoor weatherproof mounting
• LED display systems
• Powder-coated surface bonding
• Architectural panel attachment

Recommended Products: 3M™ VHB™ (clear applications), (conformable bonding), GPH series (high-temperature resistance)

Commercial Vehicle Solutions

Panel-to-Frame Bonding
Replace hundreds of rivets with high-strength VHB™ tape applications. Our solutions for van conversions and truck body assembly reduce weight, eliminate corrosion points, and dramatically speed up production while maintaining structural integrity.

Roof Skinning Applications
High-strength foam tape solutions for commercial vehicle roof assembly. We design bonding systems that accommodate thermal expansion while providing weatherproof seals and vibration dampening.

Interior Component Mounting
Precision adhesive tape applications for trim attachment, panel mounting, and component assembly. Our solutions eliminate rattles while providing clean, professional finishing in commercial vehicle interiors.

Common Vehicle Applications:

• Panel-to-frame bonding systems
• Roof skinning and assembly
• Interior trim attachment
• Lashing rail installation
• Thermal insulation mounting

Recommended Products: 3M™ VHB™ GPH-110GF (paint bake applications), LSE-110WF (TPO plastics), (general purpose)

The Austen Approach: Our Proven Methodology

Our consultative process ensures successful adhesive tape applications through expert assessment, solution design, and ongoing technical support.

Step 1: Assessment & Material Compatibility

Surface Energy Analysis
We conduct comprehensive surface energy testing to identify the optimal 3M™ VHB™ tape formulation for your specific substrates.

Environmental Evaluation
Analysis of operating conditions including temperature extremes, humidity, UV exposure, and chemical exposure to ensure long-term performance.

Load Requirement Analysis
Detailed assessment of static and dynamic loads to specify appropriate foam tape thickness and adhesive chemistry.

Step 2: Solution Design & Product Selection

VHB™ Tape Family Selection
Expert recommendation from the complete 3M™ VHB™ range including , , GPH, and LSE series based on your specific requirements.

Surface Preparation Protocols
Detailed specifications for cleaning, priming, and surface treatment to ensure optimal adhesive bonding.

Application Method Optimization
Process design for your production environment including tool requirements, quality control, and efficiency optimization.

Step 3: Implementation & Training

On-Site Training
Comprehensive training for your team covering proper application techniques, quality control protocols, and troubleshooting procedures.

Performance Validation
Bond testing and performance verification to ensure successful implementation in your production environment.

Process Integration
Seamless integration of VHB™ tape solutions into your existing manufacturing workflows.

Step 4: Ongoing Partnership & Support

Technical Partnership
Continuous support with regular performance reviews, process optimization, and access to new 3M technologies through our authorized distributor network.

Expert Q&A: Your 3M™ VHB™ Tape Questions Answered

Professional insights from our technical specialists, backed by 50 years of real-world experience.

Is 3M VHB tape waterproof?

Yes, 3M™ VHB™ tape creates an excellent moisture barrier and is highly resistant to water ingress. The closed-cell acrylic foam core provides outstanding sealing properties for outdoor applications.

Austen Direct Expert Answer: Our technical team specifies the right VHB™ adhesive tape formulation for your specific environmental conditions. We’ve successfully applied VHB solutions in marine environments, outdoor signage, and commercial vehicle applications where long-term weather protection is critical. The tape creates a watertight seal that often outperforms traditional mechanical fasteners in preventing moisture ingress.

How strong is 3M VHB tape?

3M™ VHB™ tape strength varies significantly by formulation and application. Generally, VHB tapes can achieve tensile strengths up to 90 psi and excellent shear strength that often exceeds mechanical fasteners.

Austen Direct Expert Answer: We conduct comprehensive load analysis to recommend the optimal foam tape thickness and adhesive chemistry for your application. Our testing and real-world experience shows properly applied VHB can replace mechanical fasteners in most commercial applications. For example, we’ve helped commercial vehicle manufacturers eliminate over 300 rivets per unit while maintaining structural integrity and improving vibration dampening.

What is 3M VHB tape used for?

3M™ VHB™ tape is used across multiple industries for permanent bonding applications including construction, automotive, signage, electronics, and aerospace applications where invisible, high-strength bonds are required.

Austen Direct Expert Answer: We specialize in helping businesses across construction, signage manufacturing, and commercial vehicle assembly replace traditional fasteners with VHB solutions. Common applications we support include panel bonding, trim attachment, structural glazing, and component mounting where invisible, permanent bonds improve aesthetics and performance.

Can 3M VHB tape be removed?

While 3M™ VHB™ tape is designed for permanent bonding, it can be removed using proper techniques including heat application, cutting through the foam core, and specialized removal tools.

Austen Direct Expert Answer: Removal is possible but requires the right approach for your specific application. We provide detailed removal protocols including the proper tools and techniques to minimize substrate damage. For temporary applications, we recommend alternative adhesive solutions.

Does 3M VHB tape stick to wood, rubber, and brick?

3M™ VHB™ tape adhesion to these materials depends on surface preparation and the specific substrate characteristics. Each material requires different preparation protocols for optimal bonding.

Austen Direct Expert Answer:
Wood: Excellent adhesion when properly sealed and prepared. We specify sealing requirements for porous woods.
Rubber: Depends on rubber type and surface energy – we recommend testing and primer specification.
Brick: Requires proper cleaning and often sealing for optimal adhesion.

Our technical team provides substrate-specific preparation protocols to ensure successful bonding for each material type.

How to use 3M VHB tape correctly?

Proper 3M™ VHB™ tape application requires surface cleaning, appropriate primer selection (if needed), correct application pressure (minimum 15 psi), and adequate cure time for full bond development.

Austen Direct Expert Answer: We provide comprehensive application training covering surface assessment, cleaning protocols, primer selection, and proper application techniques. Critical success factors include achieving 15 psi application pressure, allowing 72-hour cure time, and matching the tape formulation to your specific substrates.

Is 3M VHB tape heat resistant?

3M™ VHB™ tape temperature resistance varies by formulation. Standard grades typically handle -40°C to 93°C, while specialized high-temperature series like GPH can withstand short-term exposure to 230°C.

Austen Direct Expert Answer: We specify temperature-appropriate VHB formulations based on your application requirements. The GPH series is particularly valuable for commercial vehicle applications where parts undergo paint bake cycles. Temperature analysis is a critical part of our application assessment process.

Why Choose Austen Direct as Your 3M™ VHB™ Tape Partner?

50 Years of Application Experience

Extensive knowledge across signage manufacturing, commercial vehicle assembly, and industrial applications with proven success stories and documented results.

Authorized 3M Distributor Status

Direct access to the complete VHB™ tape product range and technical support resources, ensuring you get the right products for your application.

Consultative Approach

We solve bonding challenges, not just supply products. Comprehensive assessment, solution design, and ongoing support throughout your project lifecycle.

Industry Specialization

Focused expertise in your specific applications with proven success stories, case studies, and deep understanding of industry requirements.

Technical Resources & Ongoing Support

Application Documentation Available:

• Surface preparation protocols by material type
• 3M™ VHB™ adhesive tape application best practices
• Troubleshooting guides for common bonding challenges
• Environmental resistance data and specifications
• Load calculation guidelines and safety factors
• Quality control and testing procedures

Ongoing Technical Partnership:

• Regular performance reviews and optimization
• New application development support
• Access to 3M technical resources through our distributor network
• Training updates on new VHB™ tape formulations
• Process improvement recommendations
• Emergency technical support and troubleshooting

Ready to Transform Your Assembly Process?

Our technical specialists are ready to help you select the perfect VHB™ adhesive solution for your specific application. Get expert guidance backed by 50 years of successful implementations.

Contact Our VHB Experts:

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✉️ :
???? Address: Ivy Arch Road, Worthing, West Sussex, BN14 8BX

What We Offer:

• Expert Consultation: Technical assessment and product selection guidance
• Free Samples: Test our recommended solutions in your application
• Technical Support: Application guidance and troubleshooting assistance
• Site Visits: On-location assessment and training when required

Austen Direct | Authorized distributor for 3M™ and tesa® adhesive solutions | Serving UK businesses since

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