lithium ion batteries

Enhanced Ruggedness and Exceptional Sealing: Best Die-Cut Adhesives For Electronics

Can tape make your electronic device safer, more reliable, longer lasting? Die-cutting adhesive tapes is the go-to for securing gaskets, panels, screens, batteries and other components in portable and wearable devices. However, there’s a plethora of tape products made with specially engineered foams, films and adhesives that can also safeguard sensitive components as well as the battery system.

That’s critical because devices get around. Whether you’re talking about laptops, smartwatches, tablets or the latest smartphone, batteries and electronic components demand protection from the hazards of normal use as well as rough handling.

Protective benefits of die-cut adhesive tape in electronics

  • Reliably seal out dust and water.
  • Absorb and cushion against shock, impact and vibration
  • Heat dissipation to prevent overheating.

The need for protection: The future is portable and battery-powered

As our world becomes increasingly electrified, connected and portable, demand will continue to increase for lithium-ion battery systems.

Lithium-ion-powered electronic devices have forecasted 14.5% market growth between 2023 and 2032. Tablets and PCs are driving nearly one-third of global revenues for Li-ion powered electronics. Their leadership position is expected to remain over the coming decade, though smart, wearable devices will also contribute to demand.

Key considerations for die-cut tapes in electronics: Rugged protectiveness

Lithium-ion batteries deliver many sought-after properties in today’s portable devices. They’re lightweight, retain capacity after thousands of charging cycles, fast-charging and have a long lifespan.

To keep lithium-ion batteries safe and operable in electronic devices, two key considerations are top of mind:

  • Thermal runaway: Heat or high impact that damages the highly flammable electrolytes within the battery cell can result in thermal runaway and combustion, setting the table for an explosive situation.
  • Water and oxygen exposure: Lithium-ion batteries also require protection against moisture and oxygen. Cracked housing or total submersion in water can reduce performance and render the battery inoperable.

This gets to another important thing to consider about personal electronics: They’re personal.

Laptops, smart watches and smartphones are in near-constant contact with the end user. They’re worn, stored in pockets and transported in bags and backpacks, within reach 24/7. They’re subject to exposure to varying environmental conditions and temperature changes, accidental drops on hard surfaces and in water, and so on.

These devices demand enhanced protection of the battery against impact, vibration, heat and moisture. Tape selection around some of these protective properties can ensure the longevity and performance of these devices.

Considerations in choosing die-cut tapes for electronics

  • Bonding strength
  • Resistance to environmental conditions
  • Conformity to curved or irregular surfaces
  • Consistent adhesion for the life of the product
  • Temperature resistance
  • Vibration and shock absorption

Die-cut solutions with 3M™ tapes for personal electronics

3M™ VHB™ Tape 4301R

  • Application: Bonds plastic to glass, such as monitor panels.
  • Properties: Invisible, leakproof fastening with a durable bond.

3M™ VHB™ Tape 4914

  • Application: Bond plastic to silicone pad; bond plastic to inked-glass; waterproofing for battery button; laptop bezel bonding.
  • Properties: Closed-cell technology provides exceptional sealing performance for waterproofing and high-drop resistance.

3M™ VHB™ Tape 5909

  • Application: Bond plastic to glass. Sealing and protection for front displays and back covers for tablets and smartphones.
  • Properties: Enhanced waterproofing, conformability, surface adhesion, sealing and impact resistance.

3M™ VHB™ Tape 5980

  • Application: Seal displays, speakers, microphones, volume keys. Bond metal to glass. Bond mesh to plastic. Stabilize battery in wearable devices.
  • Properties: Exceptional shock absorption, bonding and sealing, enhanced waterproofing.

3M™ Double Coated Tape 93010LE & 93015LE

  • Applications: Bond curved plastic to foam or plastic, and other hard-to-bond materials for a sleek finish.
  • Properties: High bond strength, high shear strength when engineered with 3M™ Adhesive 300LSE.

3M™ Double Coated Tape 93420

  • Applications: Apply touch panel to metal for tablets and notebooks. Bond glass to plastic.
  • Properties: Re-workability, anti-lifting, conformable and drop resistance.

3M™ Conformable Double Coated Tape 93425

  • Application: Bonds glass to plastic.
  • Properties: Drop resistance for touch panels.

3M™ Adhesive Transfer Tape 9471LE & 9472LE

  • Application: Bond plastic to flexible printed circuits. Bond metal plating to plastic.
  • Properties: Anti-lifting, durable bonding when engineered with 3M™ Adhesive 300LSE

3M™ Adhesive Transfer Tape 96105CR

  • Application: Bonds glass to flexible printed circuit.
  • Properties: Resists water, sweat, perfumes, skin oils and chemicals.

Enhance protection of electronics and battery systems

Protect power sources and the inner intelligence that brings life to smart screens with the power of die-cut adhesive tape. Our decades of converting tape into specialty shapes combined with our longtime partnership with 3M™ produce reliable solutions for our customers. We’re well-equipped to pinpoint the solution for complex and challenging designs. As a 3M™ Preferred Converter, we have access to 3M™ technical support with specialists in every industry.

Send us your CAD file and project requirements to get a prompt and hassle-free quote. Contact us today.