Power of Bonding in Trailer Lorry Applications & Speciality Vehicles
Speciality transport vehicles such as utility lorries, buses, and emergency vehicles require state-of-the-art materials that can endure environmental conditions such as extreme temperatures, water and moisture, strong winds, UV exposure, and more! Furthermore, the materials must retain structural integrity and visual appeal throughout the vehicle's lifespan.
For ease of installation, proper adhesion, a cleaner appearance, and long-term reliability, bonding tapes are a go-to solution for securing exterior trim and emblems, roof and body side panels, and instrumentation in commercial vehicles.
We have partnered with Don Ashley, Saint-Gobain® District Sales Manager, to focus on key products that have demonstrated performance in the harsh operational and environmental conditions that commercial vehicles often face. We have also asked him to share five ways these tapes help meet unique customer requirements.
Requirement #1: Streamlined installation
When customers aim to reduce assembly time, streamline automated processes, and lower labour costs, Norbond® Bonding Tapes are a game-changer. They are easy and simple to apply, and they can be cut to shape or slit into roll form. Providing a durable bond just minutes after being applied, they are effective replacements for traditional mechanical fasteners. For example, Norbond A7600 and A7700 can reach 80% of ultimate adhesion within 30 minutes and are specifically designed to provide enhanced short-term adhesion performance to assist in field assembly.
Norbond Attachment Tapes can be applied in automated lines to improve efficiency and reduce manual errors. Assembly line presses for tape attachment need only to apply (15 psi) pressure to the tape for at least 5 seconds and do not require special processing equipment. Slit rolls or pre-cut pads of attachment tapes can also be easily dispensed and matched to the bond area. Products such as Norbond A7600 or A7700 have an easy release liner for seamless removal and quick application.
Requirement #2: Enhanced durability and longevity
Norbond Tapes used within specialty vehicle applications will withstand shock and vibration loads as the vehicle travels over rough surfaces and when high travel speeds expose it to high dynamic pressure and wind. These tapes will maintain dimensional stability when exposed to adverse environmental conditions. Norbond A7600 and A7700 are designed with high elongation to withstand thermal expansion during changes in temperature after they are applied.
Requirement #3: Versatility across applications
Specialty vehicle bonding requires products that can exceed industry standards in terms of strength and the ability to bond to various surface energy substrates, even at elevated temperatures. This is where products like Norbond A7600 and A7700 excel. They have excellent performance in peel, tensile and dynamic shear adhesion.
Both products are well suited for high and medium surface energy materials such as metals or ABS plastic sheets. They provide excellent durability and long-lasting adhesion, even during extreme temperatures. Their versatility extends well to commercial vehicle applications, making these products reliable alternatives to conventional fastening systems.
Requirement #4: Visual appeal
Performance capability is not the only important feature that customers request. They also request a good visual appearance. This is where tape colour matters. On more visible edges, a black acrylic foam tape such as our Norbond A7700 is often preferred as it provides clean sightlines, allowing the attachment to hide in plain sight. In other applications, grey colour bonding tapes are extremely popular, such as the A7600 tape, which may be preferred.
Our V2800 polyurethane bonding tape is also widely used in applications such as car emblem fixation and ornamentation. It is a smart choice for bonding these smaller pieces and is specially designed to minimise distortion. In other applications such as panel bonding and roof bow attachment which require slit rolls, it offers stress distribution along the length of the tape as opposed to the stress pressure points as seen with mechanical fasteners.
Requirement #5: Resistance to all weathering conditions
Due to continuous exposure to external environments, specialty vehicle fastening applications require materials that resist extreme temperatures, water and moisture, high winds, and more! Tapes need to be specially engineered to permit thermal expansion and contraction of components without becoming brittle in sub-zero temperatures or soft at elevated temperatures. Applications require materials that are water- and moisture-resistant and do not lose adhesion or shape when exposed to water or other liquids. Both A7600 and A7700 have outstanding viscoelastic and adhesion properties that serve well for exterior and interior applications in these conditions.
Norbond Bonding Tapes such as A7700, A7600 or V2800 prioritise durability, efficiency, versatility, and aesthetic appeal in modern-day speciality vehicle design. For applications that demand solutions to withstand rigorous operational and environmental challenges, Norbond Tapes offer several advantages over mechanical counterparts. These products not only aid in streamlining installation processes; they are effective solutions for the evolving requirements of modern-day vehicle design.