One of the most popular hook and loop fasteners today are known as Velcro. Velcro isn’t the name of these fasteners rather the name of the Group that trademarked them. Velcro fasteners rely on tiny loops that go into each other providing excellent grip between two surfaces. Much like Velcro, there is another similar option made by 3M called dual lock. This isn’t a hook and loop fastener but rather a tape that works similarly to Velcro but with one big advantage.
3M dual lock tape has up to four times the gripping power thanks to the self-adhesive backing. The adhesive used on this tape can withstand temperatures that go up to triple digits. Dual lock fastener tape has small mushroom-shaped plastic interlocks with an audible snap to them. Unlike Velcro, the tiny plastic interlock on a dual lock 3M tape can couple with any other piece.
How to Use Dual Lock Tape
- Using 3M dual lock tape is pretty easy. When you’ve determined the surfaces you want to use it on, make sure you clean them with alcohol and dry them off before you start. Now when you want to apply dual lock tape, just lock the two pieces of tape together and then remove the backing from one piece.
- Apply the piece with the removed backing to one surface and then remove the backing on the other piece of lock tape and bring the two objects you want to join together. Ensure that you position the tape correctly as you only have one chance to do so.
How to Select the Right Dual Lock Tape
Closure Strength
When selecting your lock tape you need to first choose its closure strength. This refers to the stems per square centimetre. You can choose from 170, 250, or 400 stems per square cm. The larger the fastening area of the tape the greater its closure strength needs to be able to hold things in place and to resist shear and peel.
Adhesive
The stems aren’t the only factor that provides a secure hold, the adhesive also helps keep things intact. There are two types of adhesives you can have on a dual lock 3M tape, rubber and acrylic. Rubber adhesives provide good shear strength, quick stick adhesion and high initial adhesion upon contact. Acrylic adhesives, on the other hand, have a fair initial adhesion upon contact, high shear strength but they build up a strong stick adhesion over a 72-hour period.
Rubber adhesives have a moderate ageing performance and fair UV resistance for indoor use. Acrylic adhesives have excellent ageing performance and UV resistance for both indoor and outdoor use. Unlike rubber adhesives, acrylic ones are also better and handling moisture whilst having a wider operating temperature range. Remember though rubber adhesives bond to a variety of LSE materials, powder-coated surfaces, and plastics while acrylic adhesives bond well to HSE materials such as metals and HSE plastics.
Where Can I Use Dual Lock Tape
Furniture
Dual lock 3M tape can be used for a lot of different things but one that people don’t expect to see dual lock tape being used for is both residential and office furniture. You can attach modular office wall panels, secure window shades to header rails and even attach cushions to seats, chairs and armrests. You can also fasten furniture seats and backs to metal frames.
General Industrial
Dual lock 3M tape also allows you to attach acoustic control panels to sound containment enclosures, attach movable sensors as well as plastic and screen enclosure panels around automated equipment. With 3Ms dual lock fastener tape, you can fasten rigid or flexible solar panels and keep remote controls on equipment for storage when you’re not using it. Dual lock 3M tape allows you to keep access panels, HVAC units, control panels, electrical enclosures and electronic equipment in place.
Display & Signage
When it comes to signs, either on the road or in a building you can attach literature dispensers, secure carpet to trade show floors, counter facings. You’re also able to attach shelving for retail display and museum exhibitions and hand graphics and banners for trade shows. With 3M dual lock tape, you can attach flexible retail signage that changes with the season. Sometimes you need to attach metal L-bracket edging to hold a rigid graphics panel and prevent leaks at the same time. Well, dual lock fastener tape can be used for that too.
Specialty Vehicle & Transportation
When it comes to specialty vehicles and transportation you can hang ceiling light diffusion panels in light cars and buses and equipment on ambulance walls. You can also attach door and wall panels in truck cabs as well as suspend privacy curtains, airbag covers and decorative liners. Ceiling walls and cushioning panels can also be attached with dual lock fastener tape. You can secure removable seat covers and cushions in ambulances and fasten headliners and ceiling panels in all sorts of vehicles.