3M vhb tape cold temp performance tech bulletin User Manual
Technical Bulletin
January, 2002
3
VHB
™
Tape
Cold Temperature Performance
Cold Temperature Performance of 3M
TM
VHB
TM
Tapes
This bulletin summarizes the typical low temperature performance of the 3M™ VHB™ family of tapes. The
performance of both VHB Foam Tapes and Adhesive Transfer Tapes is profiled over a broad temperature range.
performance of both VHB Foam Tapes and Adhesive Transfer Tapes is profiled over a broad temperature range.
The VHB tapes are thermoplastic in nature, becoming softer as temperature increases and firmer as temperature
decreases. As the adhesive and core materials become firmer, the performance generally increases measured by
the standard test methods described in the VHB tape product information page. This performance increase is
demonstrated graphically in Figure 1. This graph shows the breakaway force and peel measured to break a
VHB Tape 9473 bond as a function of temperature. The graph in Figure 2 shows the dynamic normal tensile
strength of VHB Tape 4945 as a function of temperature. All products in the VHB Tape family would be
expected to follow this same pattern under the same conditions.
decreases. As the adhesive and core materials become firmer, the performance generally increases measured by
the standard test methods described in the VHB tape product information page. This performance increase is
demonstrated graphically in Figure 1. This graph shows the breakaway force and peel measured to break a
VHB Tape 9473 bond as a function of temperature. The graph in Figure 2 shows the dynamic normal tensile
strength of VHB Tape 4945 as a function of temperature. All products in the VHB Tape family would be
expected to follow this same pattern under the same conditions.
The exception to this performance-temperature relationship is at very low temperatures when high impact stress
along with high frequencies are encountered. The acrylic polymer from which VHB Tapes are made goes
through its glass transition temperature at approximately -40°F (-40°C). At low temperatures, when the
adhesive and foam core are firm or glassy, the ability to absorb impact energy is reduced. This type of shocky
behavior is demonstrated by the lower performance of VHB Tape 9473 as noted at -65°F (-54°C) in Figure 1.
The potential for shock failure is dependent on the temperature, the frequency of the impact stress and the
material to which the adhesive is bonded.
along with high frequencies are encountered. The acrylic polymer from which VHB Tapes are made goes
through its glass transition temperature at approximately -40°F (-40°C). At low temperatures, when the
adhesive and foam core are firm or glassy, the ability to absorb impact energy is reduced. This type of shocky
behavior is demonstrated by the lower performance of VHB Tape 9473 as noted at -65°F (-54°C) in Figure 1.
The potential for shock failure is dependent on the temperature, the frequency of the impact stress and the
material to which the adhesive is bonded.
With the number of variables involved, the potential for cold shock cannot be accurately described or tested on
laboratory sized specimens. Although it is not generally seen to be a limiting factor in many actual applications,
small laboratory samples can be made to exhibit brittle behavior at extremely cold temperatures. In full scale
applications, the frequency distribution and energy concentration would generally be expected to be within the
limits of VHB tape capability. For this reason, it is suggested that small scale tests not be solely relied upon to
draw conclusions about this performance characteristic. While we do not see low temperatures to be a limiting
factor in many actual applications, we suggest that a thorough evaluation be conducted by the user at actual use
conditions on applications where high impact stress is expected at low temperatures.
laboratory sized specimens. Although it is not generally seen to be a limiting factor in many actual applications,
small laboratory samples can be made to exhibit brittle behavior at extremely cold temperatures. In full scale
applications, the frequency distribution and energy concentration would generally be expected to be within the
limits of VHB tape capability. For this reason, it is suggested that small scale tests not be solely relied upon to
draw conclusions about this performance characteristic. While we do not see low temperatures to be a limiting
factor in many actual applications, we suggest that a thorough evaluation be conducted by the user at actual use
conditions on applications where high impact stress is expected at low temperatures.
In one example of a cold temperature application, exterior stainless steel anti-chaffing strips on a commercial
aircraft are bonded to the wing flaps with VHB Tape 9473 and are routinely subjected to temperatures from
-65°F (-54°C) to more than 150°F (66°C) several times each day, as well as the typical vibration and
environment which the outside of a passenger jet encounters. This application has been in use since 1984 and
continues to be utilized on new models of the aircraft. While 3M does not recommend use of VHB tapes in
exceedingly cold temperatures, one can see by the above application that with the user’s proper evaluation
and design even these harsh environments can be tolerated under certain circumstances as determined to the
user’s satisfaction.
aircraft are bonded to the wing flaps with VHB Tape 9473 and are routinely subjected to temperatures from
-65°F (-54°C) to more than 150°F (66°C) several times each day, as well as the typical vibration and
environment which the outside of a passenger jet encounters. This application has been in use since 1984 and
continues to be utilized on new models of the aircraft. While 3M does not recommend use of VHB tapes in
exceedingly cold temperatures, one can see by the above application that with the user’s proper evaluation
and design even these harsh environments can be tolerated under certain circumstances as determined to the
user’s satisfaction.