Marian manufactures custom die-cut components utilizing pressure sensitive adhesive tapes to join two substrates, bonding them together. There are many formulations of pressure sensitive adhesives designed to obtain a desired level of adhesion to a wide variety of surfaces. However, as the name implies, all PSA products need enough pressure applied to achieve full surface contact.
Commonly Converted Bonding Materials
- 3M™ VHB™
- Adhesive Transfer Tapes
- Double-Coated Tapes
- Foam Tapes
- Reclosable Fasteners (Dual Lock, Hook and Loop)
Choosing the right material among these many options can be overwhelming. Experienced Marian Representatives can help you navigate all of the bonding material choices and possibilities, providing samples, data, technical support from manufacturers, prototypes, and assembly recommendations.
Examples: Bonding, Joining, Assembly
Automotive: Emblem, Trim, Molding Attachment
Marian manufactures die-cut attachment solutions that will ensure the automotive emblem, trim, molding piece will remains securely in place for the life of the product. Double-sided PSA parts can be die-cut with a tab or extended liner for ease of handling / assembly.
Electronics: Lens / Bezel Attachment
Die-cut 3M™ VHB™ is an excellent material for bonding two low surface energy plastic components, which often join to assemble the housing elements of an electronic device. Marian manufactures die-cut parts with intricate geometries at tight tolerance, often required for electronic devices.
Medical: Stick-to-skin Device Attachment
Wearables, diagnostics, wound care, health and beauty, are often designed to include an element of bonding to skin with a medical-grade, skin-safe adhesive. Marian has experience in material selection and manufacturing skin- contact components that meet the stringent specifications of the medical market.
Bonding Tapes – Material Selection Considerations
Type of Bond
What type of bond does your application require?
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High-strength structural bond, with the ability to replace mechanical fasteners
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Assembly aid that will hold until the final product is assembled
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Temporary joining with the ability remove the PSA after a certain amount of time
Two Joining Substrates
Many characteristics of the two joining substrates must be considered, including their surface energy, surface texture / shape and size.
Commonly Bonded Substrates:
- metals
- high surface energy plastics
- low surface energy plastics
- wood
- rubber
- cloth
- skin
Type of Adhesion Strength
The amount and type of stress that will be exerted on this bond must also be considered. Bonding tapes are designed to have different levels of strength for different applications.
The different tested strengths of an adhesive product are:
- Peel strength
- Shear strength
- Tensile or pluck strength
Exposure Requirements
The environment where the bond will be used in the final application is very important when selecting an adhesive material. There are many variables that can impact the effectiveness of the bond.
- Temperature
- Weather exposure
- UV exposure
- Solvents, chemical exposure
Market Specifications
Depending on the market of the final product, there may be specifications required for the bonding tape material used.
- UL rating
- IP rating
- ASTM testing
- Aerospace specs
- Automotive OEM specifications
Other Special Functions
Your Marian Rep will also ask if there are any additional special functions required in this application, such as:
- Seal from dust, moisture, light
- Cushion
- Shock absorption
- Optically clear
- Low VOC
- Electrical or thermal conductivity
Resources
Free EBook: 4 Questions to Ask When Selecting a Bonding PSA
1 Page Guide: 12 Topics to Consider When Selecting a Bonding PSA
Success Story: 3M VHB Permanent Bonding Solution
Marian provided a 3M™ VHB™ part to this beverage vending machine manufacturer that was aesthetically clean and could perform well in extreme conditions. Read more…
