3M™ VHB™ Tapes

When you need a bond that lasts, without the hassle of drilling or welding, 3M™ VHB™ Tapes offer a smarter solution. These high-performance adhesive tapes are trusted by engineers, contractors, and manufacturers worldwide for building, assembly, and fabrication. Instead of mechanical fasteners, VHB™ Tapes deliver a seamless, durable bond that holds under stress, vibration, and heat. From aluminum panels to painted plastics, they make industrial bonding faster, cleaner, and more reliable.

What Are 3M™ VHB™ Tapes?

3M™ VHB™ Tapes (Very High Bond) are advanced double-sided acrylic foam tapes that create a permanent, high-strength bond between surfaces. Unlike glue or screws, the tape’s viscoelastic foam core distributes stress evenly across surfaces, forming a bond that’s both strong and flexible. This technology allows parts to move slightly under pressure without breaking adhesion, ideal for materials that expand, contract, or vibrate.

Developed by 3M in 1980, VHB™ Tapes have become a global standard in construction, electronics, transportation, and appliance manufacturing. Professionals trust them to replace rivets, bolts, and spot welds, reducing assembly time and improving appearance. Because there are no holes, seams, or exposed fasteners, the finished product looks cleaner and resists corrosion.

How 3M™ VHB™ Tape Works:

The acrylic foam core absorbs movement and vibration.
Pressure-sensitive adhesive creates instant strength when pressed.
Bonds metal, glass, plastic, and composites with lasting durability.
Seals out moisture and dirt for long-term protection.
Handles extreme temperatures and UV exposure in outdoor or industrial use.

By combining the strength of mechanical fasteners with the flexibility of foam, 3M™ VHB™ Tapes allow designers to innovate without limits, reducing weight, improving aesthetics, and enhancing performance across industries.

Why Choose 3M™ VHB™ Tape?

If you need a permanent, high-strength bond that replaces rivets, screws, and welds, 3M™ VHB™ Tape is built for the job. This tape is not just strong, it’s engineered to handle stress, vibration, and harsh environments with consistent performance year after year.

Key Benefits

Permanent and durable: Bonds that last for decades, even outdoors or under heavy load.
Clean appearance: No visible screws, rivets, or weld marks. Just smooth, seamless surfaces.
Fast and easy to apply: No drilling, curing, or surface damage. Just peel, press, and bond.
Withstands vibration and movement: The acrylic foam absorbs impact and stress.
Bonds dissimilar materials: Ideal for joining metal to plastic, glass, or composite surfaces.
Weather and temperature resistant: Maintains strength under heat, cold, UV, and moisture.
Distributes load evenly: Reduces weak points compared to point fasteners.
Lightweight alternative: Helps reduce weight in vehicles, signs, and panels.

Real-World Uses

3M™ VHB™ Tape is used in hundreds of industries because it’s versatile and proven.
You’ll find it:

In building construction, bonding glass curtain walls and aluminum panels.
In automotive assembly, attaching emblems, trims, and body panels.
On signs and displays, where clean design and fast mounting matter.
In electronics manufacturing, securing screens, casings, and heat sinks.
For metal fabrication and plastic assembly, offering strength without distortion.

Unlike liquid adhesives, VHB™ Tape gives you immediate handling strength, no clamps or curing time needed. Once applied, it continues to build strength over 72 hours for a lasting, professional bond.

A 3M™ VHB™ Tape Guide

Below is a list of 3M™ VHB™ Tapes including primary feature, thickness, and color. The links in the list of Go-To Tapes and Specialty Tapes will take you to the product and data pages.

Go-To Tapes

Specialty Tapes

Difficult to Bond

Powder Coated, Plastics

LSE Family - White

LSE-060WF (0.025'')

LSE-110WF (0.045'')

LSE-160WF (0.062'')

4910 Family - Clear

4905 (0.020'')

4910 (0.040'')

Low VOC, Low Odor, Meets FDA

LSE Polypropylene, Polystyrene, MSE, HSE

Low VOC - Black

LVO-060BF (0.025'')

LVO-110BF (0.045'')

LVO-160BF (0.062'')

High Temp, Pre-Powder Coat

GPH Series - Gray

GPH-060GF (0.025'')

GPH-110GF (0.045'')

GPH-160GF (0.062'')

Strength, Conformity Mix

RP+ Family - Gray

RP+040GF (0.016'')

RP+060GF (0.025'')

RP+080GF (0.032'')

RP+110GF (0.045'')

RP+160GF (0.062'')

RP+230GF (0.090'')

Flame Retardant

Powder Coated, Irregular Surfaces

Black

5958FR (0.040'')

Painted, Irregular Surfaces

5952 Family - Black, White

5915 (0.016'')

5925 (0.025'')

5930 (0.032'')

5952 (0.045'')

5962 (0.062'')

Electronics

Thin Family - Black

Reworkable/Removable - 2025

5906 (0.006'')

5907 (0.008'')

5908 (0.010'')

5909 (0.012'')

5981-020 (0.008'')

Strength, Conformity Mix

4941 Family- Gray

4926 (0.015'')

4936 (0.025'')

4941 (0.045'')

4956 (0.062'')

4991 (0.090'')

High Surface Energy

4950 Family - White

4914 (0.010'')

4920 (0.016'')

4930 (0.025'')

4950 (0.045'')

4955 (0.080'')

4959 (0.120'')

3M™ VHB™ Tape Families and Applications

3M™ offers several VHB™ Tape families, each designed for specific materials, conditions, and strength levels. Choosing the right one depends on your surface type, temperature exposure, and required durability.

Below is a quick comparison guide to help you match the right tape to your project.

Family	Color	Thickness (in)	Ideal For	Key Features
LSE Series	White	0.025–0.062	Plastics, low-surface-energy (LSE) materials like polypropylene	Bonds hard-to-stick plastics without primers
GPH Series	Gray	0.025–0.062	High-temperature, powder-coated, or painted metal	High heat and chemical resistance
RP+ Series	Gray	0.016–0.090	Metals, painted or sealed surfaces	All-purpose strength and reliability
4950 Series	White	0.010–0.120	High-surface-energy materials (metal, glass)	Very strong, long-term durability
5952 Series	Black/White	0.016–0.062	Painted or irregular surfaces	Conforms to uneven or textured materials
4941 Series	Gray	0.015–0.090	Metal, glass, composites	Balanced strength, flexibility, and adhesion
5958FR Series	Black	0.040	Fire-rated assemblies	Flame-retardant, UL 94-rated for safety applications

Choosing the Right 3M™ VHB™ Tape

Selecting the right 3M™ VHB™ Tape depends on three main factors: surface energy, environmental conditions, and load requirements.
Choosing correctly ensures the best possible bond strength and durability.

1. Consider Your Material Surface Energy (LSE vs HSE)

Different surfaces have different levels of “stickiness,” known as surface energy.
This affects how well adhesives bond.

Surface Type	Examples	Recommended Tape Family
Low Surface Energy (LSE)	Polypropylene, polyethylene, powder coating	LSE Series
Medium Surface Energy	Painted metal, PVC, glass-reinforced plastic	RP+ or 5952 Series
High Surface Energy (HSE)	Aluminum, glass, stainless steel	4950 or 4941 Series

Tip: The lower the surface energy, the harder it is to stick, choose a VHB™ tape formulated for that surface type.

2. Temperature and Environment Requirements

Environmental conditions matter for long-term performance. Choose a tape that can handle your operating temperature and exposure.

Condition	Recommended Series	Reason
High Heat or Powder Coating	GPH Series	Resists up to 450°F short-term
Outdoor or Moist Environments	4941 or 5952 Series	Excellent UV and moisture resistance
Fire-Rated Applications	5958FR Series	Flame-retardant, UL 94-rated

Always clean surfaces before bonding and apply tape between 70°F and 100°F for best results.

3. Thickness and Load Considerations

The tape thickness determines how much movement or vibration it can absorb. Thicker tapes are better for uneven or flexible surfaces, while thinner ones suit rigid materials.

Application Type	Suggested Thickness
Smooth, rigid surfaces (metal panels)	0.015–0.025 in
Moderate irregularity (painted or composite panels)	0.045–0.060 in
Uneven or flexible materials	0.080 in and above

Quick Selection Checklist

What materials are you bonding? (metal, plastic, glass, composite)
Will it face heat, vibration, or weather?
Is the surface smooth or textured?
Do you need flame resistance or outdoor durability?
Would custom-cut rolls improve your workflow?

If you answered yes to any of these, the right 3M™ VHB™ Tape family is available for your specific needs.

Need help matching the right series? Contact our adhesive specialists to recommend the best option for your materials and operating conditions.

Cut-to-Size & Custom Converting Services

When precision matters, custom converting ensures every piece of 3M™ VHB™ Tape fits your exact design. Whether you’re bonding panels, assembling parts, or streamlining production, cut-to-size services help you save time, reduce costs, and improve quality.

Why Custom Converting Matters

Perfect fit for every part: Get pre-cut shapes, strips, or rolls that match your exact dimensions.
Faster assembly: Reduce trimming or manual cutting during production.
Consistent performance: Each piece applies cleanly and evenly for a reliable bond.
Less waste: Order only what you need, reducing material and labor costs.
Custom packaging options: Rolls, die-cuts, or kiss-cut liners for easy peel-and-stick use.

Trusted 3M™ VHB™ Converting Expertise

As a 3M™ Authorized Distributor, we provide converting services that follow 3M’s precision standards for thickness, liner handling, and roll storage. That means every custom-cut piece maintains the same high performance and bond strength as factory rolls.

Ideal for:

High-volume manufacturing and assembly lines
Complex shapes or small components
Multi-material bonding projects
Prototype or R&D testing

Get Expert Help Today

Choosing and applying the right VHB™ Tape doesn’t have to be complicated.
Our team of adhesive specialists can help you select, test, and cut the right product for your materials and production goals.

? Email: sales@iTapeStore.com
? Call: (888) 233-2216