Why does adhesive tape fail? –
The most common reasons

The most common reason for adhesive tape failure is choosing the wrong tape.  However, it is rarely the tape itself that is at fault, but rather the combination of the adhesive tape and the substrate.
The most important factors to consider here are the substrate (material) to which the tape is being applied and how specific the application is.
In addition, the process steps that the adhesive tapes or moulded parts undergo in the further processing process are often not taken into account.

As far as substrates are concerned, it is important to choose the right counterpart from the wide range of rubber and acrylic adhesives available on the market. They often have different properties, which makes the choice of tape all the more important.

Therefore, make sure you can answer the following questions before selecting an adhesive tape:

• Which substrates are to be bonded?
• What is the surface texture – smooth or rough?
• What is the surface energy of the substrates?
• Do they need to be pre-treated?
• How are the moulded parts handled in the further process?

The contour and design of the moulded part play a decisive role in adhesion.
If the moulded part is not optimally matched to the application, the bonding may fail.

Consider the following aspects when designing the moulded part:

• Does the contour of the moulded part need to be roughly
  r precisely matched to the shape of the component?
• What material thickness is required?
• Do positioning aids need to be integrated to ensure
  the moulded part is positioned correctly?
• Is the design suitable for the assembly process?

Careful planning and design of the moulded part can optimise the adhesive bond beyond its actual application and improve durability.

Insufficient information about the external influences to which the bond is exposed can lead to unexpected problems.

In addition to purely environmental influences such as heat or cold, these also include influences such as pressure or tensile forces.
The more eventualities that can be taken into account from the outset when selecting materials, the better.

Gather as much information as possible on the following aspects:

• What movements affect the bond?
• Does the bond have to withstand extreme temperatures or weather conditions?
• How long must/should the bond last?
• Is the bond exposed to dust, water or other substances?
• What forces (shear, pull-off, splitting force, etc.) act on the bond?

This data can be used to make an informed decision that ensures the service life and reliability of the bond.

Even the most promising adhesive tape can fail if it is not tested under realistic conditions and at realistic frequencies.

The simple yet important solution:
Conduct comprehensive tests under real-world conditions.

Pay particular attention to the following:

• Use of original parts
• Compliance with real-world environmental conditions
  (temperature, time frame, assembly process)
• Do not rely solely on data sheets

Individual tests, tailored to the specific requirements of your application, are essential to ensure that the adhesive tape really works optimally.