If you’re unfamiliar with adhesive bonding, the idea of attaching car parts with tape may conjure the mental image of a car plastered with duct tape. However, vehicle adhesive tape can be an efficient and reliable method to help protect the surface of and attach components to your vehicle.
As a custom part converter who’s helped manufacture hundreds of automotive designs, Strouse has witnessed the scale of unique automotive applications.
Once you understand the different automotive adhesives, you’ll better know what you’re looking for and how they function with other components of your vehicle’s design.
Types of Adhesives For Automotive Applications
How do automotive tapes improve vehicle performance? These examples will demonstrate the purpose of automotive adhesives and allow you to understand how die cut components are used in vehicles.
1. SURFACE PROTECTIVE FILM
Automotive surface protection films shield vehicles from damage during transportation, ensuring they arrive on the lot shiny and new. These protective barriers can be utilized throughout many steps in the process, such as mid-production shipments.
Automotive pieces are often transported between manufacturers or facilities for the final assembly. A manufacturer might build the cab and ship it to another facility to add the vehicle bed and complete its final assembly. These pieces use die cut surface protection films, often polyethylene sheets with a mild adhesive, to prevent damage during shipment.
After vehicle construction, manufacturers use wheel masks and interior masking solutions to deter scratches or marks before they reach the lot. If you’ve ever had the pleasure of peeling fresh screen protectors off the interior of a new car, then you’ll be familiar with these.
2. HIGH BONDAGE CONNECTIONS
If you’re wondering, “What adhesive holds car parts together?” then it’s high-bondage tape.
Manufacturers use Very High Bondage (VHB) tape to achieve powerful bonds for part mounting and making connections on the vehicle’s exterior. For instance, brand vehicle badges are often attached using acrylic foam VHB tape because it’s strong enough to last.
Another example is mirror technology, in which manufacturers use VHB tape to connect lights and blind spot sensors to the other mirror components.
3. AUTOMOTIVE GASKETS AND SEALING
Modern vehicles have many screens and other features on the central console, and gasketing solutions help prevent dirt, hair, and other debris from wedging its way underneath and obscuring the view.
For airtight gasketing in visual components, you must find a manufacturer capable of preventing gaskets from gathering particles before installation. Converters with the right capabilities can avoid this by building gaskets intended for long-term electronics protection through clean room die cutting.
4. PAINT MASKING KITS
Paint masking protects windows, mirrors, headlights, and other surfaces during vehicle painting.
Rather than using rolls of tape, which lead to inconsistent and lengthy applications, masking kits allow manufacturers to achieve much faster production using easy-to-use die cut masking products.
Die cut converters often build masking kits per vehicle, allowing manufacturers to achieve accurate applications and avoid common mistakes such as accidentally overlooking areas during the masking process.
5. SOUNDPROOFING MATERIALS
Is there anything more irritating than an unidentifiable rattling noise on a long car ride?
Automotive manufacturers use soundproofing materials in problem areas where plastic paneling touches metal, like in between the vehicle’s windows and pillars. Thick foam materials like VHB can help prevent plastic on metal rattling.
Another vehicle soundproofing application is used wherever the exterior shell meets the interior. Automobile manufacturers stop constant buzz, squeak, and rattling noises by soundproofing specific contact points.
Lastly, soundproofing pads, mats, and other components can be built into or added to the interior of many vehicles' doors, ceilings, and floors.
6. EV BATTERY PACKS
Manufacturers use high-performance thermal management and high-strength bonding tapes for cell-to-cell attachment in electric vehicle batteries, where automotive double-sided tape is used to join and cushion cells.
The rapid growth of the EV industry has led to advancements in battery pack designs and materials, causing more demand for innovative adhesive solutions.
7. EMI APPLICATIONS
As we mentioned in gaskets and sealing, modern vehicles are riddled with touch screens and other electronics.
Electrically conductive adhesives are a staple of internal consoles and EV batteries. EMI and RFI shielding materials can also protect both areas from unwanted signals and help isolate their individual functions.
8. VEHICLE WIRE HARNESSES
Vehicle wire harnesses are an assembly of wires or electrical cables that connect all electrical components. They manage the level of energy flowing through the vehicle to prevent it from interfering with other mechanisms.
These harnesses are often created using electrical tape along the vehicle’s inner underside. However, the material used for vehicle wire harnessing may vary depending on the type of automobile.
9. AUTOMOTIVE LABELS
Automotive labels are located below the vehicle’s undercarriage and underneath its hood. They’re resistant to many potential weathering agents, including motor oil, antifreeze, and brake fluid.
Unlike your typical label stock, automotive labels use chemical and weather-resistant materials to endure harsh conditions. These materials are more expensive BUT will last for years in harsh conditions.
Where Can I Find Automotive Adhesives?
The place where you find automotive adhesives will vary based on what you’re looking for.
If you’re searching for a simple component for a few vehicles, you might be better off searching for tape on Amazon. But if you’re looking for customized parts for a high quantity of vehicles, try a flexible material converter.
You may already be familiar with many of the flexible material manufacturers that service the automotive industry, such as 3M, tesa, Adhesive Applications, and Berry. However, if you are looking for a custom part rather than just a roll, reach out to us.
Strouse is proficient at sourcing automotive tape to build custom components. The Strouse quoting process is an in-depth exploration of where you are in your process and how we can help you scale into full-fledged manufacturing for complex parts.
If you’re interested in getting started, get a quote today or visit our Learning Center for more information about the converting process.
Originally published: July 24, 2023
