When your eyes are growing weary from staring at an online product catalog, how do you decide which transfer tape suits your adhesive needs?
For years, the 3M 468MP adhesive tape with its 200P high-performance acrylic adhesive has served as a viable solution for many manufacturers—and if you’re here, you’re probably wondering whether its capabilities suit your project.
Strouse’s experts have worked with 468MP tape and numerous other transfer tapes to build custom parts, allowing us to understand its function, behavior, and common uses.
If you’re searching for the right adhesive material, this article will help you understand 3M 468MP transfer tape’s bonding properties and applications.
So, What Is Adhesive Transfer Tape?
Adhesive transfer tapes are made from a pressure-sensitive adhesive applied to a special liner that releases easily from the adhesive. They come in roll form in various lengths, widths, and thicknesses.
An Overview of 3M 468MP 200MP Adhesive Tape
468MP high-performance tape is engineered differently than other tapes. Thanks to its 200MP adhesive, this material has outstanding adhesion to both metal and high surface energy plastics, making it ideal for many electronics manufacturing applications.
It's a popular choice for the automotive industry, manufacturing, and general industrial environments, where it is often used for attaching graphics and joining thin or small pieces to larger objects.
COMMON USES OF 468MP
1. BONDING GRAPHIC OVERLAYS, NAMEPLATES, OR RATING PLATES
Due to its thicker and stronger adhesive, 3M high-performance adhesive tape is ideal for uneven, textured, and rough surfaces. When converted into die cuts, it can bond graphic overlays on medical instruments. The clear adhesive will easily stick to metal, plastic, and paper.
Graphic overlays, such as subsurface printed polycarbonate or polyester, are perfect for high-speed processing of medical components, flexible circuits, and durable labels. Another common application is using 468 MP to bond rating and metal nameplates for long periods.
The aerospace industry is ideal for using 3M 468MP as a bonding agent for graphic nameplates and overlays on metal and HSE plastics.
2. BONDING COMPLETE SWITCHES
Another popular use for 468MP is in membrane switch applications. Its superior quality, consistency, and durability make it excellent for bonding complete switches to equipment surfaces.
3. 3D PRINTING APPLICATIONS
With the advent of 3D printing, the need for a flexible, durable solution was answered with 3M's 468MP tape.
Applying PEI sheets to a 3D print bed has become standard because the 468MP's 200MP acrylic adhesive is perfect for setting up the PEI sheet as a build surface.
Its resistance to temperatures up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204°C) for short periods also keeps it well under the temperature range found on most 3D printers. Its outstanding shear strength, slippage resistance, and edge lifting also make it ideal for this application.
BONDING QUALITIES
a. REPOSITIONABILITY
468MP tape has some initial flexibility for repositioning when first applied to plastic surfaces and lasts quite a long time once bonded, even under extreme humidity and temperature fluctuations. Its excellent shear strength prevents edge lifting and slippage under stress.
b. SOLVENT & HEAT RESISTANCE
As previously mentioned, 468MP 200MP adhesive tape has shown significant resistance to solvents and high temperatures. It can handle up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit short term and performs well up to 300 degrees Fahrenheit for much longer time frames.
The 200MP adhesive has proven resistant to moderate exposure to organic solvents, resisting acids, bases, cleaning solutions, disinfectants, oils, germicides, saltwater, and more. Even after such exposures, the adhesive performs well against humidity and temperature fluctuations.
Unlike adhesives manufactured using the more traditional solvent coating, 468MP has virtually no vapor inclusions. Its exceptional resistance to harsh environments makes it ideal for many different applications.
Environmental Resistance Data
Humidity has been shown to have a minimal effect on the bond strength and adhesive performance of 468MP and 200MP products. Plus, these products have proven water resistance—full immersion has no noticeable effect on their bond strength.
The temperature has varying effects on the 468MP tape and the 200MP adhesive. Room temperature has no noticeable effect, maintaining its high bond strength over long periods. The lower temperature service limit is -35°F (-37°C), so many users form the bond at room temperature before exposing it to cold temperatures.
UV rays do not impact the 468MP and 200MP tapes and adhesives when correctly applied. Lastly, both the 468MP and 200MP showed excellent chemical resistance, including oils, mild acids, and alkalis.
Sourcing 3M 468MP Adhesive Transfer Tape
Let’s say you’ve decided that 468MP could be the right material for your project—congratulations! However, before you place a costly bulk order, consider the format in which you need it.
For instance, if you’re only looking for the tape itself in the predetermined widths, then you’ll want to go straight to the source. However, if you’re seeking out custom transfer tape parts or slit rolls of material, then contacting an adhesive tape converter will likely be the better choice.
If you need someone to partner with for your converting needs, you want to be sure you choose the right one.
Strouse is trusted by 3M because we've developed trust. We solve problems with their converting needs because we consider all the factors it takes and develop a solution that's right. And we can do the same for you. Our team of experts leverages our 3M partnership to bring those experts and their wisdom to you.
Whether you need help applying the High-Performance 468MP Adhesive Tape or you're looking to solve a particular problem with a current application, we can help. Reach out for a quote today or contact us to learn more about our capabilities.
Originally published: January 11, 2021
