Low Outgassing VHB Tapes: Find the Right PSA Tape for Your Application
The need for low outgassing properties in VHB™ tapes is a common requirement in specific applications and industries. In electronics and aerospace, outgassing can cause harm critical components, leading to failures or reduced efficiency in products. Optical systems, such as cameras and lenses, require pristine conditions to maintain clarity and function, making low outgassing adhesives essential. In appliances, material outgassing can adversely affect the taste of food stored within. In confined spaces like aircrafts, automobiles, and clean rooms, maintaining air quality is required, and low outgassing adhesive tapes are the only option.
What Does it Mean to be Low Outgassing?
Outgassing in adhesive tapes refers to the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other gases from the adhesive over time. These emissions can create residues and contaminants that affect the performance of electronic and optical components, degrade air quality in confined spaces, and compromise the integrity of sensitive environments. Low outgassing refers to the minimized release of these compounds, making the adhesive suitable for applications where contamination must be strictly controlled.
Standard VHB tapes tend to:
Have a higher potential for outgassing VOCs.
Be suitable for general industrial applications.
Not be ideal for highly sensitive environments.
Low outgassing VHB tapes, on the other hand:
Minimize emission of VOCs and other gases.
Are specifically designed for use in sensitive environments like electronics, automotive, aerospace, optics, and interior appliances.
Ensure higher air quality and reduces risk of contamination.
Low outgassing VHB tapes enhance the reliability and longevity of electronic and optical components. Outgassing can create residues on sensitive surfaces, leading to performance degradation or complete failure. By using low outgassing tapes, manufacturers can ensure that their components remain free from contamination, maintaining their functionality and extending their lifespan.
In sensitive environments, such as those involving precision optics, interior automotive and aerospace, or medical devices, the risk of contamination must be minimized. Similarly, in interior appliance applications, excessive outgassing can lead to odor and food contamination. This has challenged the use of bonding tapes in these applications. Low outgassing VHB tapes reduce these risks, making them ideal for applications where cleanliness and reliability are critical. These tapes provide strong and durable bonds without compromising the integrity of the environment in which they are used.
The Features of Low Outgassing VHB Tape
Innovated by 3M™, the VHB™ Tape LVO Family solves the problem of harsh odors and VOCs in high performance adhesives. These low outgassing VHB tapes are formulated with specific chemical compositions that reduce the release of volatile compounds. These tapes use acrylic adhesives with lower amounts of plasticizers and stabilizers that can evaporate over time. The foam structure is engineered to contain fewer impurities, further reducing the potential for outgassing.
The performance characteristics of low outgassing VHB tapes include a high bond strength, excellent durability, and resistance to temperature extremes. These tapes maintain their adhesive properties across a wide range of temperatures (they excel in temperatures up to 121° C), making them suitable for diverse environmental conditions. They also offer excellent resistance to UV light, moisture, and chemicals, ensuring long-term reliability.
They Meet High Safety and Performance Standards
Low outgassing VHB tapes also meet stringent certifications and standards. The VHB™ Tape LVO Family meets several standards, including:
21 CFR 175.105: they have FDA applicability for indirect food contact
The VDA270 standard to be low in odor
The VDA278 standard (these adhesive tapes have an 85% reduction in VOCs compared to common acrylic foam tapes as well as an 80% reduction in fog compared to common acrylic foam tapes.
Why Use VHB Tapes?
VHB tapes are double-sided acrylic foam tapes known for their strong adhesive properties and versatility in bonding various materials. VHB tapes provide a seamless bond with high durability and resistance to many types of environmental factors. Their unique composition allows them to absorb energy and stress, distributing it across the bonded area, which makes them ideal for applications requiring strong and reliable adhesion.
The benefits of using VHB tape for bonding include:
Eliminating the need for mechanical fasteners, which reduces weight and enhances design flexibility.
Providing an invisible bond line, improving the appearance of products.
Excellent resistance to temperature extremes, UV light, and chemicals.
Long-term durability.
The ability to distribute stress evenly across the bonded surfaces, which enhances the overall strength and longevity of the bond.
A fast and easy-to-use permanent bonding method.
Allowing the use of thinner, lighter weight and dissimilar materials.
Creating a permanent seal against water, moisture and more by offering better gap filling capabilities.
Making sure you choose the right VHB tape for your application will help ensure you will gain these benefits.
Where VHB Tapes are Used
VHB Tapes are commonly used in industries such as automotive, aerospace, construction, electronics, appliance and signage. In the automotive industry, they replace mechanical fasteners for attaching trims and panels, enhancing both aesthetics and performance. In construction, they are used for curtain walls and glass bonding due to their ability to handle differential thermal expansion and contraction. The electronics industry benefits from VHB tapes' ability to bond components while offering insulation and vibration damping.
Where VHB Tape LVO Family is Used
VHB LVO tapes combine the amazing bonding capabilities and strength of VHB acrylic foam tapes with the need for low outgassing in use. This combination opens a whole new range of application opportunities that were previously challenged by the need for indirect food contact, low odor, and or low outgassing.
Applications of 3M LVO tapes include:
Appliances: for interior refrigerator cladding and badge attachment.
Automotive: for interior lens bonding, LED or light-strip bonding, and interior decoration. They can also be used for transportation interior decoration, roof, and side trim attachment.
General Uses: industrial, furniture, sensor, and food storage bonding.
These VHB tapes are also ideal for a wide range of substrates, including:
Low surface energy (LSE) substrates like polypropylene
Medium surface energy (MSE) substrates like ABS, acrylic, polycarbonate, and polystyrene
High surface energy (HSE) substrates like stainless steel
Need Customization for Low Outgassing VHB Tapes?
Low outgassing VHB tapes offer significant advantages for applications requiring high-performance bonding and minimal contamination. They are even more effective as a bonding solution when they are customized to fit your application. At Engineered Materials, we work with OEMs to custom fabricate VHB tapes, allowing businesses to choose the right tape for the job and have it fabricated into parts that seamlessly fit into their products. This allows you to achieve reliable, high-quality results in even the most demanding environments.