Acrylic foam tape does not dry or cure. It builds strength as the adhesive flows into the microscopic texture of the surface, so the bond is decided by prep and pressure.

Clean. Clean with a 50:50 isopropyl alcohol and water wipe for fingerprints and light oil. Use a degreaser first for heavy oil, grease, or mold release; then use the IPA wipe. Wipe in one direction with lint-free tissue. Mill-finish aluminum and stainless benefit from light abrasion followed by a solvent wipe.

Press. Apply at least 15 psi across the full bond area.

Design for shear or tension. Wider tape increases load capacity; thickness is for conforming to surface variation. Avoid peel and cleavage loads where possible; design for shear or tension.

• Handling strength is immediate.
• Approximately 50% strength at 20 minutes, 90% at 24 hours, and 100% at 72 hours at room temperature.
• Warmth speeds bonding; cold slows it.
• Static hanging loads require more tape because acrylic foam can creep under continuous load.
• Use approximately four square inches of tape per pound of supported static weight only as a starting point, with an appropriate safety factor.
• Design against static shear, not dynamic shear.

• Less foam means less give under shear or tensile load, so thinner grades can report higher shear values.
• Thicker tape generally performs better in peel because it spreads load away from the edge.
• Neither thickness is universally stronger.
• Select thickness based first on surface fit and conformity, then evaluate the direction of the load.

• Acrylic foam tape, high bond tape, and double-sided structural tape describe the same tape category.
• VHB is a 3M trademark; other manufacturers use high bond or acrylic foam terminology.
• Do not confuse structural acrylic foam tape with regular double-sided mounting foam tape.
• Structural acrylic foam tape is permanent and intended for demanding bonds; regular mounting foam tape is generally intended for lighter-duty applications.
• Gray and grey mean the same color. Use G for gray and W for white in Tape Providers part-number terminology.