High Performance Adhesive
Bonding Solutions

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Achieve superior bonding for virtually any substrate, any environment

Thin, easily applied and a sure grip that holds up to stress and pressure. With pressure-sensitive tape, you can transform the look of your product and shorten assembly time. Achieving an industrial strength bond and a slimmer profile are as simple as applying a piece of custom adhesive tape – all in a fraction of the time it takes to drill screws, weld or apply liquid adhesives.

Turn to Bristol Tape to source high quality pressure-sensitive adhesive tape from top-tier brands like 3M™. By taking advantage of our die-cutting services, your tape will arrive packaged and ready for the assembly line. Peel, stick and it reaches handling strength after a short time. Learn about our offerings and our process.

Commonly converted bonding materials

At Bristol Tape, we die cut and convert a wide variety of pressure-sensitive tapes for assembly to meet your needs.

3M™ VHB™ Tape

High performance adhesive tapes for permanent bonding in the most demanding applications.

Double coated foam tapes

Well-suited for mounting and bonding with the ability to cushion and absorb sound and vibration.

Double coated tapes

Versatile tapes with a variety of adhesives for strong bonding to a variety of substrates.

Adhesive transfer tapes

Pressure-sensitive adhesive without the carrier. Applies directly to the surface with precision and coverage, minus the mess of adhesive sprays and liquids.

Repositionable tape

Temporary bonding for various assembly applications.

Bonding considerations: Which materials are best

When choosing the right pressure sensitive adhesive, engineers consider a number of factors to narrow the field of choice, so they identify the adhesive bonding solution that’s engineered to stick the landing.

Know your bonding type

Permanent fastening

A replacement for metal fasteners, with the strength to support structural loads

Removable tape

Used for removable gaskets, maintains a secure hold but lifts easily without leaving residue.

Repositionable

Easily lifted and removed without tearing or leaving behind adhesive, and then replaced.

Joining unique substrates

Thanks to innovations in adhesives, it’s possible to connect dissimilar materials and achieve a secure, reliable bond. Adhesive selection factors in the substrate’s surface energy, size, shape and texture.

Level of adhesion strength

These three measurements are used to indicate how much force is required to break the adhesive bond:

Shear strength

Measures the force needed to cause the bonded areas to slide past each other when stress and load are applied parallel to the adhesive bond.

Peel strength

Indicates the amount of force required to lift the tape from the surface when stress is applied by pulling on the tape’s edge.

Tensile strength

The force needed to rip the two substrates apart when stress and load are applied perpendicular to the adhesive bond.

Environmental exposure requirements

Consider what your product would be exposed to, and the level of performance needed for the adhesive to withstand the conditions.

  • Temperature extremes
  • Moisture and humidity
  • Exposure to sunlight and UV
  • Chemicals and solvents

Performance requirements

Tapes are powerful enough to go beyond bonding. Carrier, adhesive and foam work in concert to add multi-functionality to your application. Talk to us about your needs.

  • Sealing against moisture, dust and contaminants
  • Absorb noise, shock and vibration
  • Electric shielding and thermo-management

Market criteria and requirements

Account for any standards or regulations that must be met. Tapes used in certain industries may need to follow specific safety and performance standards. Knowing them in advance and accounting for them will ensure performance and can help streamline the process of compliance review.

Advantages of adhesive bonding

On the surface, the power of industrial tape seems to defy explanation. How can a thin strip lock two heavy components into place? The answer is chemistry. An adhesive bond is the result of a chemical reaction between the adhesive and the substrate surface. Through that chemical reaction, the two surfaces are essentially fused together.

That brings us to the first benefit of adhesive bonding: durability. Chemical bonds are stronger than mechanical bonds, so in applications where strength and durability are paramount, adhesive bonding can provide the answer.

These are additional benefits of adhesive bonding:

Expanded design possibilities: Unlike metal bolts, rivets and fasteners, a strip of pressure-sensitive adhesive achieves smooth surfaces and curved shapes, lending your product a modern appearance.

Effective sealing: The chemical bonds forged between the adhesive and substrate surface forms a seal that locks out dust, moisture and other unwanted ingress.

Joins unlike substrates: Fusing metal to glass, polymers or even stone or wood, is simplified with the strong grip of double-sided adhesive tape.

Better stress distribution: An adhesive bond can distribute stress evenly across the entire surface of the bonded area, making it more resilient under shear stress.

Examples and use cases for bonding, joining and assembly with custom tape

Aerospace

Bond interior cabin panels
Secure thermal and acoustic insulation
Attach structural components

Appliance

Attach product emblems
Mount panels – metal, glass, overlay and decorative
Secure electronic components
Secure door seals and gaskets

Consumer electronics

Mount displays and touchscreens
Secure Internal components

Defense solutions

Secure thermal and acoustic insulation
Attach structural components

Electrical Solutions

Securing insulation materials
Battery assembly
Printed circuit board assembly
LED and lighting solutions

HVAC

Secure duct insulation
Join metal panels
Attaching sensors and controls
Bonding protective films

Industrial solutions

Secure gaskets and seals
Mounting touch screens and control panels
Bonding metal plates and brackets

Medical

Secure panels, overlays
Bond diagnostic sensors and electrodes
Secure displays and interfaces

Assembly and bonding: Spotlight on 3M™ products

3M™ innovation has redefined how things get made, simplifying assembly and making our world more functional. Here are two game-changing 3M™ products.
3mvhb

3M™ VHB Tape

Permanent bonding with exceptional strength. 3M™ VHB is the go-to for some of the most demanding applications including securing screens to smart devices, mounting exterior panels to buses, even holding architectural glass to a skyscraper. The versatility of 3M™ VHB Tape offers solutions across all industries. Talk to your Bristol Tape account manager to identify the best 3M™ product for your design.
3mhook

3M™ Hook and Loop Fasteners

Remove, reapply, exchange and reclose with ease. 3M™ Hook and Loop fasteners offer a functional alternative to removable adhesives and velcro. Simply apply the adhesive-backed strips where they’re needed, push together for secure mounting, attaching and closing. To open or remove, they peel apart easily, with the ability to reclose up to 5,000 times. Applications include removable signs, bundling cords and cables, securing medical equipment, securing floor mats and attaching removable covers and cases.

Industrial strength bonding that stands up to stress

Launch with confidence through the power of pressure-sensitive adhesive solutions by Bristol Tape.
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