Foam tapes for panels and signage
High-strength double-sided acrylic foam tape is replacing rivets and screws for bonding aluminum cladding panels, channel letters and outdoor signage, delivering a flat, attractive surface and bonds that last through rain and sun.
Many installers were once hesitant to give up rivets in favor of tape. However, acrylic foam tapes have been used for years on facade cladding, rail cars and signage, demonstrating high reliability when selected and applied correctly.
The construction of acrylic foam tape
Unlike ordinary PE foam tape, the core of acrylic tape is a solid adhesive mass with a microcellular structure. The entire thickness is viscoelastic adhesive, which distributes stress and absorbs the differential thermal expansion between aluminum panels and steel frames.
- Typical thickness from 0.8 to 2.3 mm.
- Short-term heat resistance up to approx. 150 °C, long-term approx. 90 °C.
- Resistant to UV, water and many mild solvents.
- The adhesive continues to build bond strength for 72 hours after application.
Advantages over rivets and screws
A tape bond distributes the load along the entire length of the tape strip instead of concentrating it at individual points. The cladding surface is not drilled, so there are no rust spots or bumps, and thin panels do not distort. The tape also acts as a seal, keeping water out from between the panel and the frame, while reducing rattle noise in strong winds.
Proper application technique
- Clean the surface with an isopropyl alcohol and water solution and let it dry completely.
- Use a primer on powder-coated surfaces or low surface energy materials.
- Apply at surface temperatures between 15 and 38 °C; avoid application in rain or dew.
- Apply even pressure with a roller to maximize adhesive contact.
- Calculate the tape area based on panel weight and wind load.
Combining with silicone adhesive
For large outdoor panels, many designs use tape for positioning and immediate holding, combined with a bead of silicone adhesive for long-term strength and edge sealing.
Applications
Beyond aluminum cladding and signage, acrylic foam tape is also used to bond stiffeners on roller shutters and to mount mirrors, decorative trim and sun shades.
A reference design rule is to lay out the tape as evenly spaced parallel strips, with a total bonding area sufficient to keep the static stress from the panel weight below a few kilopascals. For channel letters and large signs, conduct on-site pull tests before full-scale installation.
Contact AMS Vietnam to request acrylic foam tape samples and guidance on calculating the bonding area for your project.
