3M VHB Tape™

™

Design Guide

Dream. Design. Deliver.

3M VHB Tape™

™

Open a world of new possibilities.
Bonding product parts with precision, ease, reliability andstrength requires an approach that breaks the barriersof traditional construction elements. 3M VHB Tapes open up
a world of possibilities — eliminating rivets, screws, bolts andwelds — and improving design construction, aesthetics andproductivity. With unmatched strength, these tapes increase
the overall durability and reliability of every product bond.
Experience the strength and reliability of 3M VHB Tapes.

Invisible bondA durable difference

Enhance your design appearance with virtuallyinvisible bonding — a game-changing approach foryour design concepts. Explore new possibilities anduse new, innovative materials to improve the lookof your products while optimizing performance,
preventing bi-metallic corrosion and streamlining
your production processes.

With a bond that’s built to withstand the rigors of
exposure, 3M VHB Tapes resist hot, cold andcycling temperatures, UV light, moisture and solvents.
They seal against environmental conditions anddamp vibration to reduce metallic wear-and-tear.

2

Demanding strength

Application efficiency

For your most demanding bonding applications,
3M™ VHB™ Tapes distribute dynamic or static
stress over the entire surface of the design,
improving holding strength and eliminating theneed for mechanical fasteners.

3M VHB Tapes are simple and easy to apply,saving you time and money. The tapes bondon contact, assemble easily and can be cut to
precise shapes and sizes for custom applications.
3M VHB Tapes don’t require a cure time and canbe used in pre-assembly processes.

3

Applications and Innovations
The Proven, High Strength Alternative to Mechanical Fasteners
3M™ VHB™ Tape offers manufacturers a distinct bonding advantage by
spreading stress loads across the entire length of the joint, permanently
adhering materials with a powerful bond.
It’s time to replace screws, rivets, welds and other traditional fasteners
with a better solution — 3M VHB Tape.

Panel to Frame

Stiffener to Panel

Solve dynamic force challenges while reducing
weight and producing a clean, sharp look.

Experience the freedom to create unique designs
with exceptional vibration and corrosion resistance.

4

Dream. Design. Deliver.
Durability for Long-Term Performance• Resist cold, UV light, temperature cycling, moisture and solvents• Seal against environmental conditions
Design Flexibility• Expand the range of material options for high impact visual combinations• Use lighter weight and thinner materials to lower component and transportation costs

Lens Window to Housing

Decorative Material Attachment

Apply a secure seal to dissimilar materials, while
enhancing productivity and design innovation.

Advance your product performance with increased
flexibility in production and design.

5Your Application Advantage —3M Expertise and Support
Develop product innovations and improve process efficiencies with the science of 3M™ VHB™
Tape and the support of 3M application specialists.
3M VHB Tape has been tested again and again to ensure ultimate performance. Our experienced
application experts stress, pull, dunk, freeze and burn 3M VHB Tape to understand how it reacts
in many environments. Engineers, designers, architects and regulators can have confidence that

3M supports every application with an extraordinary team of dedicated Application Engineers who consult with designers to help solve difficult
design challenges and reveal new design opportunities. When you choose 3M VHB Tape, you get more than an amazing product, you get accessto our global support network of technical expertise.

Drop tests allow 3M to compare shock and impact resistanceof products used to bond devices.

Our experts invest thousands of hours every year testing customers'
substrates and designs, ensuring the right products are selected foreach application and delivering the best results possible.

6

3M™ VHB™ Tape will perform every day, at the highest level possible. Test after test, the tape’s
closed cell, acrylic construction stands up to water, dirt, dust and many chemicals.
Our deep expertise in bonding dissimilar materials for challenging applications is unmatched.
3M stands alone in its capabilities, facilities and experience. Leverage our expertise to yourcompetitive advantage.

3M performs weathering tests on many of our products using the most advanced weather facilities in the world. Substrates bonded with
3M VHB Tape are subjected to artificial indoor tests and real-world outdoor tests to determine the effects of years of extreme weathering.
Exposing them to extreme UV radiation, water and heat ensures your products can stand the test of time.

Dynamic normal tensile test: Quantifies the internal cohesive strengthof 3M VHB Tape. Unlike mechanical fasteners, the viscoelastic foamcore of 3M VHB Tape absorbs the tensile stress, spreading the stressthroughout the entire bond.

Tensile and elongation tests: Used to compare 3M VHB Tape’s
elongation versus adhesives. Unlike traditional joining methods,
3M VHB Tape can isolate stresses by allowing them to moveindependently, while still maintaining a strong hold.

7

Design and Application Guidelines
Selecting the Right 3M™ VHB™ Tape for Your Application
Our application experts are here to consult
with your team to determine the correct
3M VHB Tapes for your product design andproduction process. When you’re reviewing
options, consider these factors:• SUBSTRATES — Surfaces function and interact withadhesives differently, based on their properties andsurface energy. Test the surface for both the flow of
the adhesive and the ability to achieve contact withthe other surface.
• THICKNESS — Choose tapes with higher thickness
to correspond with higher rigidity and flatness
irregularity of your materials. Use thinner tapes
when working with more flexible materials.
• QUANTITY — Consider the variables of viscoelasticity,strength, stiffness, stress and creep behavior when
determining the amount of tape for a dynamic load
versus a static load.
• EXPANSION/CONTRACTION — Tapes can typicallytolerate differential movement in the shear plane up
to three times their thickness.
• BOND FLEXIBILITY — Because tape bonds can be
more flexible, applications that need higher stiffness
may benefit from corresponding design modifications.
• COLD TEMPERATURES — Evaluate applications that
require performance at severe cold temperatures toassure proper adhesion performance.
• SURFACE PREPARATION — Ensure your surfaces
are clean and pressure is applied after tapeapplication for optimal adhesion.

8

Go-To Products Chart
3M™ VHB™ Tapes help you design beyond the limits of mechanical fasteners, to build better
products, improve productivity and enhance performance. A great place to get started is the
Go-To Products Chart, which offers a range of products well-suited for a variety of projects
and applications.
Product Number

Tape Thickness
Page
w/o liner Mils (mm) No.

Application Ideas

4941 Tape Family4926

15 (0.4)

1025 (0.6)

10

45 (1.1)

10| 4936F
4941 | 4941F
4956 | 4956F
4991 | 4991B

62 (1.6)

10

90 (2.3)

10

4919F

25 (0.6)

10

4947F

45 (1.1)

10

4979F

62 (1.6)105906

6 (0.15)125907

8 (0.2)125908

10 (0.25)

12

5909

12 (0.3)

124936

Bond and seal polycarbonate lens over LCD
Bond and seal plastic windows to pre-painted control panels/switch gear
Mount vinyl wiring ducts and conduit channels
Seam vinyl banners

5952 Tape Family

5915

5915P

5915WF

16 (0.4)

12

5925

5925P

5925WF25 (0.6)

12

5930

5930P

5930WF32 (0.8)

12

5952

5952P

5952WF45 (1.1)

12

5962

5962P

5962WF62 (1.6)

125958FR40 (1.0)12

16 (0.4)

14

Bond and seal polycarbonate lens over LCD
Lens and touch panel bonding
Logo attachment
POP and display construction

Bonds to a variety of plastics and paint systems
Bond architectural signs to frames
Attach trim and extrusions
Hat channels and stiffeners

Bonds to a variety of plastics and paint systems
Bond architectural signs to frames
Attach trim and extrusions
Hat channels and stiffeners
Meets FAR 25.853 (a) 12 second vertical burn, Appendix F, Part I (a)(ii)

RP+ Tape Family| RP+040GF
RP+060GP | RP+060GF
RP+080GP | RP+080GF
RP+110GP | RP+110GF
RP+160GP | RP+160GF
RP+230GP | RP+230GF
RP+040GP

25 (0.6)

1432 (0.8)

1445 (1.1)

14

62 (1.6)

14

90 (2.3)

1425 (0.6)

14

GPH-110GF

45 (1.1)

14

GPH-160GF

62 (1.6)

14

LSE-060WF

25 (0.6)

14

LSE-110WF

45 (1.1)

14

LSE-160WF

62 (1.6)

14

Panel bonding
Stiffener attachment
Trim attachment
LED and sign component bonding

GPH Tape Family
GPH-060GF

Application prior to powder-coat or liquid painting process
Panel to Frame bonding
Stiffener attachment
Mounting and Trim attachment

LSE Tape Family
Bonds to wide variety of medium and low surface energy (LSE) plastics and composites
Bonds down to 0°C on frost and condensation free surfaces
Outdoor, LED and durable signage bonding
Bonding and mounting on plastic housings for transportation and agricultural equipment
Appliance bonding and trim attachment

93M VHB Tape Selection™

™

Note: The technical information and data provided here should be considered
representative or typical only and should not be used for specification
purposes. User should evaluate the 3M product to determine whether it
is fit for a particular purpose and suitable for user's method of application.

Tape Thickness
w/o Liner
mils (mm)

Liner
Type

4926

15 (0.4)

A4936

25 (0.6)

A4936F

25 (0.6)

F4941

45 (1.1)

A4941F

45 (1.1)

D4956

62 (1.6)

A

Product
NumberRelative Adhesion:
HSE – High Surface Energy
LSE – Low Surface Energy

Description

AdhesiveType

Liner Types:
A – 3 mil 54# Densified Kraft Paper
B – 5 mil Clear Polyethylene FilmC – 2 mil Polyester Film
D – 5 mil Red Polyethylene Film
E – 4 mil 58# Polycoated Kraft PaperF – 5 mil Red Printed Polyethylene Film
G – 3 mil Clear Polyethylene Film
H – 5 mil Green PE Film

Temperature Resistance
Minutes
Hours

Days
Weeks

300°F
(150°C)

200°F(93°C)

250°F(121°C)

200°F(93°C)

300°F(150°C)

200°F(93°C)

4941 Tape Family

Gray, closed-cell acrylic foam
tape. Excellent combinationof strength, conformability andadhesion to high and medium
surface energy materials.
Plasticizer resistant. UL 746.

Multi-purpose
Acrylic
4956F

62 (1.6)

F4991

90 (2.3)

F4991B

90 (2.3)

FBlack version of 4991.

4919F

25 (0.6)

FBlack version of 4936F.

4947F

45 (1.1)

FBlack version of 4941F.

4979F

62 (1.6)

FBlack version of 4956F.

10

Multi-purpose Acrylic: Bonds to a wide range of materials including
metals, glass and high and medium surface energy plastics and paints.
Resists migration of plasticizers in vinyl substrates.

Low Temperature Acrylic: Bonds down to 32°F (0°C) compared to
50°F (10°C) for most acrylic adhesives. Bonds most high surface energy
substrates including metal, glass and high surface energy plastics.

Modified Acrylic: Bonds to medium and low surface energy paints
and plastics, including many powder coated paints, in addition
to the substrates listed with the multi-purpose acrylic adhesive(except plasticized vinyl).

Low Surface Energy: High performance synthetic adhesive bonds
to many lower surface energy substrates, including polypropylene,
polyethylene, and some powder coated paints.

General Purpose Acrylic: Bonds to most higher surface energy
substrates including metal, glass and high surface energy plastics.

Solvent
Resistance

Relative Adhesion
HSE

LSE

Color

Product
Number

Gray

4926

Gray

4936

Gray

4936F

Gray

4941

Gray

4941F

Gray

4956

Gray

4956F

Gray

4991

Gray

4991B

Gray

4919F

Gray

4947F

Gray

4979F

4941 Tape Family

High

High

Medium11

Tape Thickness
w/o Liner
mils (mm)

Liner
Type

5906

6 (0.15)G5907

8 (0.2)G5908

10 (0.25)

G5909

12 (0.3)

G5915

16 (0.4)

F5915P

16 (0.4)

E5915WF

16 (0.4)F5925

25 (0.6)F5925P

25 (0.6)

E5925WF25 (0.6)

F

Product
NumberDescription

Adhesive
Type

Temperature Resistance
Minutes
Hours

Days
Weeks

5952 Tape Family5930

32 (0.8)F5930P

32 (0.8)

E5930WF32 (0.8)

F5952

45 (1.1)

F5952P

45 (1.1)

E5952WF45 (1.1)

F5962

62 (1.6)

F5962P

62 (1.6)

E5962WF62 (1.6)

F5958FR40 (1.0)

FBlack, closed-cell acrylic foam
tape. High dynamic stressresistance and adhesion tomultiple surfaces.

Modified
Acrylic

300°F(150°C)

250°F(121°C)Black or white, closed-cellacrylic foam tape. Good
adhesion to many painted
surfaces, including powder
coated paint. UL 746C.

Meets FAR 25.853 (a)12 sec vertical burnAppendix F, Part 1 (a) (ii).

12

200°F
(93°C)

Solvent
Resistance

Relative Adhesion
HSE

LSE

Color

Product
Number

Black

5906

Black

5907

Black

5908

Black

5909

Black

5915

Black

5915P

White

5915WF

Black

5925

Black

5925P

White

5925WF

Black

5930

Black

5930P

White

5930WF

Black

5952

Black

5952P

White

5952WF

Black

5962

Black

5962P

White

5962WFBlack

5958FR

5952 Tape Family

High

High

Medium13

Tape Thickness
w/o Liner
mils (mm)

Liner
Type

RP+040GP

16 (0.4)

A

RP+040GF

16 (0.4)

F

RP+060GP

25 (0.6)

A

RP+060GF

25 (0.6)

F

RP+080GP

32 (0.8)

A

RP+080GF

32 (0.8)

F

Product
NumberDescription

AdhesiveType

Gray, closed-cell acrylic
foam tape. Conformable.
Good adhesion to many
painted metals.

Temperature Resistance
Minutes
Hours

Days
Weeks

Multi-purpose

450°F(230°C)

250°F(121°C)

Gray, closed-cell, conformableacrylic foam. Superior
high-temperature performancefor powder coat or liquid
paint processes and multimaterial bonding.

Modified
Acrylic

450°F(230°C)

300°F(150°C)

Developed specificallyfor LSE substrates suchas polypropylene (PP),thermoplastic elastomers(TPE) and thermoplastic
olefins (TPO).

LSE Acrylic

300°F(150°C)

200°F(93°C)

RP+ Tape Family

RP+110GP

45 (1.1)

A

RP+110GF

45 (1.1)

F

RP+160GP

62 (1.6)

A

RP+160GF

62 (1.6)

F

RP+230GP

16 (0.4)

A

RP+230GF

16 (0.4)

F

GPH-060GF

25 (0.6)

F

GPH-110GF

45 (1.1)

F

GPH-160GF

62 (1.6)

F

LSE-060WF

25 (0.6)

F

LSE-110WF

45 (1.1)

F

LSE-160WF

62 (1.6)

F

GPH Tape Family

LSE Tape Family

14

Solvent
Resistance

Relative Adhesion
HSE

LSE

Color

Product
NumberGray

RP+040GP

Gray

RP+040GF

Gray

RP+060GP

Gray

RP+060GF

Gray

RP+080GP

Gray

RP+080GF

Gray

RP+110GP

Gray

RP+110GF

Gray

RP+160GP

Gray

RP+160GF

Gray

RP+230GP

Gray

RP+230GF

Gray

GPH-060GF

Gray

GPH-110GF

Gray

GPH-160GF

White

LSE-060WF

White

LSE-110WF

White

LSE-160WF

RP+ Tape Family

High

High

Medium

GPH Tape Family

High

High

MediumLSE Tape Family

High

High

High

15

Tape Thickness
w/o Liner
mils (mm)

Liner
Type

4914

10 (0.25)

A4920

15 (0.4)

A4929

25 (0.6)

C4930

25 (0.6)

A

Product
NumberDescription

Adhesive
Type

Temperature Resistance
Minutes
Hours

Days
Weeks

300°F
(150°C)

200°F(93°C)

400°F(204°C)

300°F(150°C)

300°F(150°C)

200°F(93°C)

4950 Tape Family

4930F

25 (0.6)

D
Closed-cell acrylic
foam tape. UL 746C.

4949

45 (1.1)

C4950

45 (1.1)

A4955

80 (2.0)C

4959

120 (3.0)

C

4959F

120 (3.0)D

20 (0.5)

F

GeneralPurposeAcrylic

4910 Tape Family

4905

Clear, acrylic construction forjoining transparent material.
4910

40 (1.0)

F

16

GeneralPurposeSolvent
Resistance

Relative Adhesion
HSE

LSE

Color

Product
Number

White

4914

White

4920

Black

4929

White

4930

White

4930F

Black

4949

White

4950

White

4955

White

4959

White

4959F

Clear

4905

Clear

4910

4950 Tape Family

High

High

Low

4910 Tape Family

High

High

Low

17

Putting it All Together
Choose the Right Primer for Your Surface
For some challenging substrates, a primer or adhesion promoter may improve the reliability ofthe bond. Consult with 3M Technical Service to determine if a surface preparation step will be
required for your application.
Solvent

ActiveIngredients

VOCs

Color

Flashpoint

Coverage

AP111

Isopropyl
Alcohol (IPA)

Less than
5% by weight

5.91 lbs/gallon(708 g/l)

Clear­52°F (11°C)

800 ft2/gal(19m2/liter)

AP115

Isopropyl
Alcohol and
Water

Less than
1% by weight

6.08 lbs/gallon(728 g/l)

Clear­53°F (12°C)

815 ft2/gal(20m2/liter)

Clear lightyellow to clear
dark orange-­4°F (-­20°C)

600 ft2/gal(15m2/liter)

Clear-5°F (-21°C)

600 ft2/gal(15m2/liter)

Product
3M™ Primers

Primer 94

See SDS

See SDS

Approximately
6.3 lbs/gallon(755 g/l) less
H2O and exempt
solvents

Primer UPUVSee SDS

Approximately
5% by weight

3.58 lbs/gallon(429 g/l)

Note: The technical information and data on these pages should be considered representative or typical only and should not be used forspecification purposes. Coverage can depend on the application method and the substrate.

How to Prepare Specific Surfaces• HEAVY OILS — remove oil or grease using a degreaser or solvent-based cleaner.
• ABRASION — Abrade the surface to remove heavy dirt or oxidation.
• HIGHER ADHESION — Prime surfaces to increase adhesion — especially for paintor plastic surfaces.
• POROUS SURFACES — Seal surfaces such as wood, particle board or concrete.
• GLASS — Use silane treatment.
• OTHER MATERIALS — Consider the potential for special surface preparation
for all materials, including metal, copper, plastics, rubber and more.
18

Applying 3M™ VHB™ Tapes

STEP 1: Align the materials —and make sure all surfaces areclean and dry. Use a 50:50
mix of isopropyl alcohol andwater before applying tapes.

STEP 2: When surfaces are
dry, apply 3M VHB Tape tothe surface.

APPROXIMATE TIMETO ACHIEVE ULTIMATEBOND STRENGTH:

BOND TYPICAL BUILD vs. TIME

• 50% after 20 minutes• 90% after 24 hours

STEP 3: Apply pressure
with a J-roller to at least
15 psi (100 kPa). This will
help develop high-strength
adhesion and bonding.
Bond strength will increase
after application.

PERCENT OF FULL BOND
100
80

• 100% after 72 hours
Bond strength may beachieved more quickly
and in some cases, may
be increased by exposing
the bond to elevatedtemperatures (e.g. 150˚F(66˚C) for 1 hour).

60
40
20
ROOM TEMP
020 MIN

1 HOUR

1950°F

24 HOURS

150°F OR ABOVE
72 HOURS

Product Selection and Use: Many factors beyond 3M’s control and uniquely within user’s knowledge and control can affect the use andperformance of a 3M product in a particular application. As a result, customer is solely responsible for evaluating the product and determining
whether it is appropriate and suitable for customer’s application, including conducting a workplace hazard assessment and reviewing all applicableregulations and standards (e.g., OSHA, ANSI, etc.). Failure to properly evaluate, select, and use a 3M product and appropriate safety products, orto meet all applicable safety regulations, may result in injury, sickness, death, and/or harm to property.
Warranty, Limited Remedy, and Disclaimer: Unless a different warranty is specifically stated on the applicable 3M product packaging or productliterature (in which case such warranty governs), 3M warrants that each 3M product meets the applicable 3M product specification at the time
3M ships the product. 3M MAKES NO OTHER WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO,
ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OR CONDITION OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR ARISING OUT OF A COURSE
OF DEALING, CUSTOM, OR USAGE OF TRADE. If a 3M product does not conform to this warranty, then the sole and exclusive remedy is, at 3M’s
option, replacement of the 3M product or refund of the purchase price.
Limitation of Liability: Except for the limited remedy stated above, and except to the extent prohibited by law, 3M will not be liable for any loss ordamage arising from or related to the 3M product, whether direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential (including, but not limited to, lost
profits or business opportunity), regardless of the legal or equitable theory asserted, including, but not limited to, warranty, contract, negligence,or strict liability.

Industrial Adhesives and Tapes Division
3M Center, Building 225-3S-06
St. Paul, MN 55144 USA
Phone 1-800-362-3550
Web 3M.com/VHB

3M and VHB are trademarks of 3M Company.
Please recycle. Printed in USA. © 3M 2022.
All rights reserved. 70-0709-3830-6