Add My Company
When you hear the name VELCRO®, your first thought is likely strap-on shoes – one of the very common applications of VELCRO® Brand hook and loop (the actual name for this type of fastening). However, its uses go far beyond this, as proven by the wide range of products that VELCRO® offers.
For instance, they sell various product ranges in two separate categories: adhesive and non-adhesive. Though we will discuss the two in comparison to one another, in this guide we will mainly be focusing on adhesive VELCRO® Brand products, exploring what these are and how they can be of use to you.
Adhesive VELCRO® Brand Tape: How Does it Differ from Non-Adhesive?
Adhesive VELCRO® Brand Tape
As the name suggests, adhesive VELCRO® Brand tape (also known as self-adhesive) consists of a strip of hooks and a strip of loops (the two separate parts that fasten together) each of which has a bonding agent on the opposite side of the strip. This bonding agent allows you to stick the corresponding strips onto whichever object or surface you wish, allowing the two to then attach to one another.
Self-adhesive VELCRO® Brand tape sticks to most interior and exterior smooth surfaces, providing that they are clean of debris and grease and are dry before application. You should also leave the strips for 24 hours once they’ve been stuck to their corresponding object/surface before then attaching the two together in order to achieve the strongest adhesion.
Self-adhesive strips don’t work as well on fabric and clothing, however an alternative is to use iron-on VELCRO® Brand strips. This works similarly in that each strip of hook and each strip of loop has adhesive on its reverse side, though in order to bond at its maximum strength it must be heat activated – which is why it must be ironed onto your fabric.
Iron-on VELCRO® Brand tape is also better at withstanding machine washing and dry cleaning without losing its quality or becoming unstuck – though you should wait 24 hours before washing anything you have attached this VELCRO® product to.
Non-Adhesive VELCRO® Brand Tape
Whilst iron-on VELCRO® Brand tape is ideal for fabrics that are thick or difficult to sew, an alternative that can also be used for most fabrics and clothing is sew-on VELCRO® Brand strips. This is a non-adhesive version of VELCRO® Brand tape.
The reason this is considered non-adhesive is because there is no bonding agent attached to the hook or loop tape to stick them down, rather you sew them down yourself – hence why this type of tape is used almost exclusively for textile applications.
Sew-on tape can be applied either using a sewing machine or by hand sewing, and usually is sewn around the edges of the strip rather than over the area where the hooks or loops are, although this can be sewn across in order to keep the strip flat to the fabric.
Unlike adhesive and iron-on hook and loop, sew-on hook and loop can be used and washed immediately after being sewn on.
From Flame Retardant to Acrylic Double Sided Tape: The Types of Adhesive Available
VELCRO® offers various types of adhesive hook and loop tape, each of which are made to best suit certain applications and have their own pros and cons in comparison to one another. Below we explore what these types are and the differences between them.
Standard
Standard adhesive VELCRO® Brand hook and loop tape is a general purpose rubber resin based product; it’s versatile and suitable for everyday applications, being strong and reliable for domestic use. It sticks to various surfaces, including;
- Aluminium;
- Stainless steel;
- Glass;
- Cardboard;
- Painted wallboard;
- Plywood;
- Formica polyester;
- Polyacrylic;
- Polyethylene; and
VELCRO® Brand standard tape has an operating temperature range of -15℃ to 90℃, making it ideal for use all year round without being heavily compromised in any particular season or setting – although it is recommended to avoid exposing adhesive hook and loop tape to prolonged sunlight.
Pros
- Great for everyday applications
- Most affordable type of adhesive VELCRO® Brand tape
Cons
- Won’t adhere well to PVC, vinyl or anything containing plasticizers
- More susceptible to moisture and temperatures than acrylic based adhesive VELCRO® Brand tape
Acrylic
For those looking for a stronger adhesive hook and loop tape that can be used for outdoor conditions or commercial use, then acrylic adhesive VELCRO® Brand tape is perhaps a better option.
As well as all the materials VELCRO® Brand standard adhesive can be applied to, the acrylic adhesive is recommended for use on PVC, vinyl and other surfaces containing plasticizers. It also had a larger range of operating temperature, ranging between -20℃ to 120℃, which means it’s better at withstanding drastic temperature changes and seasonal changes (such as ultraviolet light and freezing conditions). This makes it ideal for outdoor Foamex signage boards or at art exhibitions where the heat from lighting can cause adhesives to soften.
On top of this, it is also resistant to solvents and chemicals, allowing it to be used in industrial sectors.
Pros
- Can be applied to most surfaces
- Highly resistant to moisture, temperature and chemicals
- Incredible staying power
Cons
- The adhesive must be left for at least 24 hours after sticking before hook and loop can be fastened
- Won’t adhere well to polyethylene or polypropylene
- More expensive than standard VELCRO® Brand tape
Heavy Duty
VELCRO® Brand heavy duty adhesive tape is another of their rubber resin based products, meaning it won’t stick well to PVC, vinyl or other materials containing plasticizers. However, on the surfaces that it is suitable for it is incredibly strong. It is ideal for use on uneven or rough surfaces and areas where a very secure, semi-permanent fixing is required.
The heavy duty tape has 50% more holding power than the standard strength hook and loop fasteners, being able to hold up to 1lb per square inch up to 10lbs. One of the reasons that this adhesive is stronger is due to the fact that it is applied in a thicker layer, which is also what makes it so great for uneven surfaces.
Pros
- Extremely strong adhesive power – ideal for long term applications and commercial use
- Suitable for uneven surfaces
Cons
- Won’t adhere well to PVC, vinyl or anything containing plasticizers
- More susceptible to moisture and temperatures than acrylic based adhesive VELCRO® Brand tape
Flame Retardant
Predominantly used in commercial settings and industrial applications, such as its use in the aviation industry, flame retardant Adhesive VELCRO® Brand tape is a rubber block polymer product. It has excellent tack and is ideal for use on polyethylene and polypropylene, as well as most other surfaces.
It has an operating temperature range of -15℃ to 60℃, though its key property is that it is flame retardant. This means that it will inhibit the outbreak of fire by extinguishing flames and preventing them from continuing to burn, which is thanks to a special coating on the tape.
Pros
- Flame retardant
- Can be used on polyethylene and polypropylene, unlike other types of VELCRO® Brand tape
Cons
- Won’t adhere well to PVC, vinyl or anything containing plasticizers
- Slightly more expensive than standard tape
Low Profile
The final type we’ll be looking at is the VELCRO® Brand low profile hook and loop. This differs from the other types not in its adhesive (VELCRO® Brand low profile is also available in non-adhesive), but in the hook and loop itself; it is designed to be up to 50% thinner than the standard hook and loop tape.
Low profile tape is ideal for applications where concealing the tape is a requirement. It is composed of a high technology hook (HTH) that is much thinner than its standard counterpart and velour loop, which is less ‘fluffy’ than standard loop, to create an inconspicuous yet effective hook and loop tape.
VELCRO® Brand Adhesive Supplier
Whether you’re looking for discreet low profile hook and loop, heavy acrylic hook and loop for commercial use or the standard hook and loop suits your needs just fine, visit MPD Hook & Loop to find the VELCRO® Brand adhesive tape that you require.
For more information on Heavy Duty or Acrylic Tape: Your Adhesive VELCRO® Brand Guide talk to MPD Hook and Loop