Customers turn to Gleicher for permanent fastening solutions when mechanical fasteners are unable to provide the necessary performance characteristics. Among the challenges that they may face: joining dissimilar materials, concerns about corrosion, or affixing irregular shaped components. Our fastener specialists understand what’s needed to make the Right Choice under these conditions, and many others. Gleicher experts consider many factors, such as environmental conditions, temperature variables, product use and intended lifecycles, as well as vibration, stress, and wear on the two affixed components. This assures specification of the proper size, shape, and grade, and that the appropriate adhesives have been selected as well.
Specifying 3M™ VHB™ (Very High Bond) Tapes as a replacement for mechanical fasteners eliminates visually distracting screws and bolts when design and aesthetics are important aesthetic considerations, as with the attachment of automotive trim and accessories. Beyond automotive, Gleicher has successfully implemented 3M™ VHB™ Tape as a permanent bonding solution for many other industries, including personal care products, electronics, displays, transportation, medical devices, military equipment, and aerospace.
A PERMANENT BOND…AND BEYOND.
3M™ VHB™ Tapes are designed to be a permanent bonding solution and can join a variety of materials including aluminum, steel, glass, plastics, and painted and powder-coated surfaces, resulting in resilient and long-lasting bonding solutions for a diverse range of applications.
Contrary to some perceptions, when properly applied, 3M™ VHB™ Tapes create a bond that can be just as strong and, in many cases, even stronger than a mechanical fastener. Compared to riveting and welding, 3M™ VHB™ Tapes are easy to apply, require no finishing, and quickly and easily create a long-lasting bond without drilling holes into the materials. Unlike rigid mechanical fasteners, 3M™ VHB™ also offer flexibility and the ability to bend around objects that are not perfectly flat.
Unlike rivets and screws, the closed-cell acrylic foam core provides a seal against moisture, salt spray, gas, oil, detergents, solvents all types of weather conditions. They adhere one substrate to another while distributing the stress load across the entire length of the bond; something that mechanical fasteners are unable to do.
Many different 3M™ VHB™ Tape “families” or groups of adhesive types are available. Because every application is different, the proper tape and tape performance characteristics must be specified to match the fastening requirements. For high-volume commercial requirements, automated application systems can trace and apply 3M™ VHB™ Tapes for precision placement and bonding.
When it comes to expertise and experience converting 3M™ VHB™ Tapes, ours goes all the way back to the product’s first introduction. Thanks to our knowledge of the product and our unique converting capabilities, Gleicher has successfully implemented countless customized permanent bonding applications for customers in a wide range of industries.
When a bolt or screw just won’t do, we welcome the opportunity to discuss your needs, and deliver a 3M™ VHB™ Tape converting solution for your specific fastener application. You can reach one of our Gleicher fastener solutions specialist with your questions at 908-233-2211 or email sales@gleicher.com.
