If you have trouble finding a tape to stick to plastics, there is a good chance they are Low Surface Energy (LSE). Here is a quick explanation on LSE, MSE & HSE plastics, which tape will work with what.
Firstly - Surface Energy is measured as dyne per centimeter. This is a unit of force. A dyne is defined as the force required to accelerate a mass of one gram at a rate of one centimeter per second squared. A dyne per centimeter is the unit traditionally used to measure surface tension and interfacial tension. The lower the Dyne/cm, the lower the surface energy, which makes it harder for adhesive tapes, double sided tapes to adhere to. The higher the Dyne per cm, the more friendlier the surface is for tape to be applied to.
Are YOU unsure if your plastic is LSE? Try the Water Bead Test.
Drop a small amount of water onto it. If the water spreads flat, it is high or medium energy. If the water beads up into tight, spherical droplets, you are dealing with a Low Surface Energy substrate and must use one of the specialized tapes listed above.
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Below is a brief explanation of the different types of surface energy that different products are;
High Surface Energy
Molecules on the surface are so strongly attracted to each other that they will very happily be attracted to liquid molecules as well. As a result, these materials are relatively easy to wet out and, in turn, to bond. High surface energy materials have surface energies on the order of 100s or 1000s of dynes/cm and include many metals and glass.
In Summary, most types of tapes can be applied to HSE - High Surface Energy Products
Medium Surface energy
Everything is relative. Somewhere between perfectly wet-out films and perfectly spherical droplets, we define medium surface energy. These are materials typically 36 dynes/cm up to about 300 dynes/cm. Many engineered plastics have surface energies in this range, as do natural materials such as wood, stone, concrete, polycarbonate, HIPS (high impact polystyrene), Acrylic, Nylons, ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene)
In Summary, for double sided tapes, it is recommended to use either 3M 5952 VHB tape, or the 3M LSE - VHB series tape.
Low Surface Energy
Molecules on the surface of low-surface-energy materials are quite happy the way they are. There is very little attraction to any molecule, especially adhesive molecules. Materials with a surface energy below 36 dynes/cm are considered low surface energy. LSE Plastics are generally soft, low-density and have a low melting point. These low surface energy materials stick together and repel liquids, making them difficult for adhesive tape to adhere to. These include polyolefin plastics such as polypropylene and polyethylene as well as “non-stick” surfaces such as polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE), thermoplastic olefins (TPOs), thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), composites, and polyester paints.
A good way to tell if a product is LSE - Low Surface Energy, if water is put on the surface, it will bead up
In Summary, you need tape specially designed for Low Surface Energy - LSE products, we have Scotchweld DP8005 Adhesive, + a range of High Bond LSE Tapes +3M GPT 020 (0.2mm thick), 3M 5952 Black VHB (1.1mm Thick) & 3M VHB - LSE range of Tapes , that will do the trick for you.
If you are having trouble with double sided tapes sticking to low surface energy, we have a range of LSE designed tapes available. We recommend testing before committing to an order if this is a critical project. We have short 11mtr rolls of the 3M 5952 VHB Tape available to order online for this purpose.
- We also Die Cut all these tapes too if needed for your HSE, MSE & LSE plastic products & projects.
If you are after individual rolls, we have 3M 5952 VHB Tape, or the Stylus HBF - High Bond Foam Tape range available
For larger quantities, we have the full 3M VHB - LSE Tape range available
