Acrylic Foam Tapes: Drivers of Elevated Design and Efficiency for Automotive
Industrial foam tapes have gained a lot of traction in the automotive assembly, overtaking screws, welds and rivets and other fasteners used to bring together components. The reason for this evolution is clear: Acrylic foam tape delivers a bond that lasts the life of the vehicle, while enhancing design aesthetics and improving the ease of installation. In the following, we’ll cover the benefits of these acrylic foam tapes and top products for automotive applications.
3M Acrylic Foam Tapes for Automotive: The Benefits
3M acrylic foam tape was a game changer for the automotive industry for transforming the performance and production efficiency of joining two components.
With no welding or machining required, acrylic foam tape saves on skilled labor. The absence of metal screws makes components lighter, which is favorable for fuel efficiency, and reduces noise. Paired with the sound absorbing core, acrylic foam tapes provide a quieter, more pleasant ride for the end user.
Another advantage of using 3M acrylic foam tape is how it improves the appearance of automotive components with a smoother, streamlined aerodynamic design. There’s no drilling into painted or clear coat surfaces, which in turn reduces the appearance of rust in the long term.
Properties of 3M Acrylic Foam Tapes for Automotive Applications
The mechanical properties of Acrylic Foam Tapes by 3M make it a durable, reliable option for automotive applications. Acrylic adhesive resists degradation from exposure to weather, including temperature fluctuations, UV rays and moisture during the life of the product.
Its foam core is designed to dissipate forces when exposed to high stress load.
This product is also industry approved. Since 1978, 3M acrylic foam tapes have met product and design engineering requirements for automotive applications.
Top Applications of 3M Acrylic Foam Tape
- Attaching trim parts
- Bonding seals throughout the car body
- Door and window seals
- Door cladding and inlay
- Roof rails
- Spoiler
- Rocker panel / body side molding
- Parking sensor retainers
Selected 3M Acrylic Foam Tapes
3M Acrylic Plus Tape Series PT1000: This black, double-coated acrylic foam is designed to attach automotive exterior trim parts, including claddings and body side moldings. Some of its properties include high conformability with a high-strength core with low elongation properties and cold-temperature impact resistance.
3M Acrylic Foam Tape GT7100: Commonly used for attaching emblems, nameplates, moldings, step pads and other automotive trims. When applied to traditional paints, this gray, acrylic foam tape has excellent adhesion. It demonstrates excellent conformability and wet out on a range of automotive applications. It maintains adhesion through shrinkage and elongation caused by temperature changes, while simultaneously maintaining good stress relaxation properties. Provides very good final adhesion and peel strength and performs well in a wide range of weather, solvent and temperature exposures.
3M Acrylic Foam Tape RT8000: Developed specifically for attaching trim and other exterior parts. Its acrylic adhesive formula is designed to provide excellent adhesion to traditional auto paint as well as advanced paint systems. It’s strong enough to support heavier parts, including spoilers and claddings, while providing stress relaxation during exposure to high loads.
Automotive Acrylic Tape Solutions from SRP
Find the solutions for any automotive design with SRP’s extensive design knowledge, reinforced with our longtime partnership with 3M. As a 3M preferred converter, we have access to 3M technical support with specialists in every industry, so we can pinpoint the solution for even the most complex and challenging design.
Send us your CAD file and project requirements to get a prompt and hassle-free quote. Contact us today.