Acrylic Foam Structural Glazing Tape: A New Bonding Alternative

A durable, high-performance glazing option for curtain wall construction
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Acrylic Foam Structural Glazing Tape: Features and Benefits

One of the significant features that distinguish acrylic foam structural glazing tape is its viscoealasticity. Viscoelasticity describes materials that exhibit both viscous and elastic characteristics. Viscous materials are inherently tacky and flexible yet resist shear flow and strain when a stress is applied. Elastic materials strain when a stress is applied and return to their original state once the stress is removed. Viscoelastic materials have elements of both of these properties and, as such, exhibit time and force dependent strain. Other significant features are its strength, durability, resistance to moisture and chemicals, productivity, convenience and uniform appearance.


Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles, 2003.
Architect: Gehry Partners, LLP. Acrylic
Foam tape was used to bond stainless steel panels to stiffeners and frame attachments.
Courtesy of 3M

Viscoelasticity. Being viscoelastic in nature, the foam has the unique property of absorbing energy and relaxing stress at the bond line thereby providing bonding strength while protecting the bondline at the adhesive/substrate interface-and accommodating shear strain up to 300 percent of its thickness.

Resistance. One hundred percent closed cell construction forms a tight seal protecting against moisture penetration, dirt and chemicals, while its acrylic chemistry resists degradation due to ultraviolet (UV) exposure and weathering.

Productivity. Another feature of acrylic foam structural glazing tape is an advantage in overall productivity. In terms of materials-only cost savings, there is little difference between using acrylic foam structural glazing tape and conventional structural glazing materials. But in terms of productivity, waste factor, installation and clean-up time, there can be significant cost savings, time savings and more accurate forecasting of materials required. With structural silicone it is possible to have a messy waste factor of 10 percent to 25 percent in ensuring there is enough silicone to fill and overshoot joints.

Mixing two-part silicone in the correct ratio requires testing and operator time to achieve quality control because of silicone's reactive chemistry. It also requires expensive high-maintenance equipment. Acrylic foam structural glazing tape, on the other hand, is delivered fully cured, in pre-defined thickness and width, ready to use and typically incurs a waste factor of less than 5 percent. Another advantage is not having to allocate time for silicone clean up and equipment maintenance.

Perhaps the biggest advantage is the immediate handling strength of acrylic foam structural glazing tape over structural silicone. When panels are assembled in the plant, the silicone needs to cure before they can be oriented vertically or handle significant movement. In contrast, panels bonded with acrylic foam structural glazing tape can be immediately handled (typically 50 percent of the ultimate adhesive bonding strength is achieved after pressure application), so the panels can be moved with far less delay, thus freeing up both time and valuable storage and production space at the manufacturing plant.

It's important to note that there are many acrylic foam tapes available in the market place today. However, only fully tested and qualified acrylic foam structural glazing tapes should be considered for this demanding application. It is also important to have full technical support from a knowledgeable staff at the tape manufacturer when considering acrylic foam structural glazing tapes.

Appearance. Another significant feature is appearance. The conventional process of using spacer tape and silicone results in having two different materials side by side. Since the colors don't often match, the line between the materials is visible. The color of the silicone can also have a streaky appearance on occasion. In addition, there is the possibility that the silicone is not shot properly into the joint. In which case there is air entrapment or bubbles, which may be visible and worse, compromise the integrity of the joint.

 

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Originally published in May 2007

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