- Overview
- Products
- 3M™ VHB™ Tapes
- 3M™ Scotch-Weld™ Structural Adhesives
- Adhesive Transfer Tapes and Double Coated Tapes
- Spray Adhesives
- Reclosable Fasteners
- Foam Tapes
- Hot Melt Adhesives
- View All Products
- Applications
- Panel-to-Frame/Stiffener-to-Panel
- Small Joint Assembly
- Large Surface Lamination
- Mounting and Trim Attachment
- Gasket Attachment
- Sealing/Potting and Encapsulating
- View All Applications
- Design Challenges
- Resources
- Automated Manufacturing
- Bonding Automation Network
- Bonding Process Center
- Bonding Product Selector
- Learn About Bonding and Joining
- Science of Adhesion
- Structural Adhesives Resources
- View All Resources
- Support
Large Surface Lamination
3M Large Surface Lamination product solutions take advantage of surface-to-surface strength to resist shear and peel stresses.
Large Surface Lamination Assemblies
Large surface laminations are two surfaces of similar size, either rigid or flexible, bonded together where a majority of one surface is contacting the other. These assemblies are common in transportation, appliances, furniture and construction. They often require full surface attachment, a flexible bond, fast bonding with little or no fixturing and the ability to position parts. The most efficient way of assembling a large surface lamination is with adhesives or tapes.
-
- Shear and peel strength
- Temperature and solvent resistance
- Favorable aesthetics with low read-through
- Speed and convenience in application
- Fast rate of strength build
-
-
Peel and Cleavage Stress in Large Surface Lamination Assemblies
The failure of a large surface lamination is a common sight; everyone can relate to a table with a peeling edge band or a carpet tile with a loose corner. The source of this delamination is relatively clear: peel. Shear and tensile forces, while present, are often negligible due to the large bond area over which to disperse the load. Most large surface laminations involve attaching a flexible surface to a more rigid surface, resulting in peel. However, some large surface laminations bond two rigid materials together, such as composite panel constructions, where the stress is cleavage.
-
PRO TIP
Adhesives and tapes are weakest in one-dimensional stresses concentrated on the leading edge of a bond. Luckily, this is where mechanical fastening performs best. The easiest way to mitigate peel in a surface lamination is by incorporating mechanical fasteners at the edge of the bond. These serve as peel terminators and prevent cracks from propagating through the bulk of the bond. If, for aesthetic reasons or otherwise, mechanical fasteners are not appealing, incorporation of transition strips or mechanical lips to the design can provide a smooth transition from one surface to another and provide the same benefit of peel-terminating rivets.
Converters can help you determine which 3M products best suit your needs, then provide them in the shape and format you require.
Performance Factors for Large Surface Lamination Assemblies
The 3M technologies shown below are commonly used in large surface bonding applications. Use this list as a relative comparison of product performance.
-
+ = Good ++ = Better +++ = Best
Need help finding the right product for your project? Contact us if you need product, technical or application advice or want to collaborate with a 3M technical specialist, or give us a call at 1-800-831-0658.
Need help finding the right product for your project? Contact us if you need product, technical or application advice or want to collaborate with a 3M technical specialist, or give us a call at 1-800-831-0658.
