Adhesive type
Acrylic foam tape, VHB type
A double-sided acrylic foam that behaves like a thin flexible adhesive layer: clean, instant, and much stronger than ordinary tape.
Also sold as VHB tape, structural bonding tape, acrylic foam mounting tape.
Acrylic foam tape is a viscoelastic acrylic adhesive supplied as a double-sided foam tape. It is pressure-sensitive, so there is no liquid cure. Firm application pressure makes the adhesive flow into microscopic surface texture. Bond strength then builds over hours as wet-out increases. This is why touching the tape lightly in place is not enough and why a bond can be handled immediately yet remain short of its final strength. The foam core spreads stress, accommodates small differences in thermal movement and hides a thin, continuous bond line. It is useful for signs, trim, panels, stiffeners and smooth metal, glass or painted assemblies. It is not ordinary soft mounting foam. Joint design matters. Wide tape area works well in shear, while a peel force concentrated at an edge can start failure. Low-surface-energy plastics, powder coatings, rough masonry, dirty metal and plasticised vinyl are difficult. A primer or a tape family designed for that surface may be required. Clean with the method named by the tape maker, apply above the minimum temperature and roll down with real pressure. Do not bridge large gaps or expect tape to follow a coarse texture. Temperature ratings, outdoor durability and structural glazing approval vary by series. Use engineering data for safety-critical panels rather than a generic VHB-type label.
At a glance
- Strength
- Structural
- Flexibility
- Flexible
- Gap filling
- Medium
- Water resistance
- Water resistant
- UV resistance
- Good
- How it cures
- Pressure sensitive
- Typical working time
- immediate placement
- Typical full cure
- 72 hours for full wet-out
- Typical service temperature
- -30C to 90C
- Needs clamping
- No
- Two part
- No
These figures describe the family in general. Always use the numbers on the datasheet for the product you actually buy.
What it is for
Attaching signs, badges, trim and mouldings; panel-to-frame and stiffener bonding; joining smooth painted metal, bare metal, glass and selected plastics; replacing rivets or screws where the joint is designed for tape and load is spread over enough area.
Where it falls down
Peel and edge lift are the weak modes. It is bad on dust, oil, loose paint, coarse texture and sharp surface steps. Many standard acrylic tapes bond poorly to polyethylene, polypropylene, silicone rubber and some powder coats without a specialist grade or primer. Cold application prevents wet-out. The tape does not fill construction-size gaps or correct warped parts.
Getting a good bond
Make both faces smooth, dry and sound. Clean with the tape maker's specified solvent, commonly a 50:50 isopropyl alcohol and water mix, and use clean lint-free wipes. Abrade or prime only when the guide calls for it. Apply above the minimum temperature, avoid touching the adhesive, roll down at the stated pressure and allow dwell before full loading.
Safety
The finished tape is normally treated as an article, so a conventional SDS may not be required and no liquid-adhesive vapour hazard is expected in normal use. That does not cover cleaners and primers, which often are flammable solvent products with their own SDS. Large rolls, powered applicators and die-cutting add mechanical and knife hazards. Structural glazing and overhead panels require an approved design, not just safe chemical handling.
Materials it suits
| Material | Suitability | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminium | Good | Acrylic foam tape, VHB type is rated good for this material as an application-level assessment, not as a blanket manufacturer claim. The prepared surface must be sound and consistently keyed where the finish permits. Suitability still depends on the other substrate, joint design and service environment. Abrade first |
| Anodised aluminium | Good | Acrylic foam tape, VHB type is rated good for this material as an application-level assessment, not as a blanket manufacturer claim. The prepared surface must be sound and consistently keyed where the finish permits. Suitability still depends on the other substrate, joint design and service environment. Abrade first |
| Painted metal | Good | Acrylic foam tape, VHB type is rated good for this material as an application-level assessment, not as a blanket manufacturer claim. The prepared surface must be sound and consistently keyed where the finish permits. Suitability still depends on the other substrate, joint design and service environment. Abrade first |
| Powder coated metal | Good | Acrylic foam tape, VHB type is rated good for this material as an application-level assessment, not as a blanket manufacturer claim. The prepared surface must be sound and consistently keyed where the finish permits. Suitability still depends on the other substrate, joint design and service environment. Abrade first |
| Chrome plated metal | Conditional | Acrylic foam tape, VHB type is rated conditional for this material as an application-level assessment, not as a blanket manufacturer claim. The prepared surface must be sound and consistently keyed where the finish permits. Use only after a product-specific test on the actual grade and joint. Abrade first |
| Polypropylene | Conditional | Acrylic foam tape, VHB type is rated conditional for this material as an application-level assessment, not as a blanket manufacturer claim. A named primer, LSE formulation or controlled surface treatment may be essential. Use only after a product-specific test on the actual grade and joint. Primer needed |
Products in this family
Last reviewed 8 October 2026.