Benefits
Permanent Structural Bonding
Replaces mechanical fasteners while providing clean appearance, reduced weight, and improved assembly efficiency.
Superior Gap Filling
The 1.60 mm thick acrylic foam easily accommodates irregular surfaces, manufacturing tolerances, and thermal expansion differences.
Excellent Multi-Material Adhesion
Bonds aluminum, stainless steel, galvanized steel, glass, acrylic, polycarbonate, ABS, painted metals, and composite materials.
Long-Term Durability
Maintains excellent bonding performance under UV exposure, moisture, humidity, and harsh outdoor environments.
Vibration & Impact Resistance
The viscoelastic acrylic foam absorbs vibration and distributes stress, helping improve product reliability.
Waterproof Sealing
The closed-cell acrylic foam creates a durable seal against water, dust, and environmental contaminants.
Technical Specifications
| Property | Specification |
|---|---|
| Product Name | 3M™ VHB™ GPL-160GF |
| Tape Type | Double-Sided Acrylic Foam Tape |
| Foam Color | Gray |
| Adhesive Type | Modified Acrylic |
| Foam Type | Firm Closed-Cell Acrylic Foam |
| Thickness | 1.60 mm (62 mil) |
| Liner | 3M™ Red PE Film Liner |
| Indoor / Outdoor | Yes |
| UV Resistance | Excellent |
| Moisture Resistance | Excellent |
| Weather Resistance | Excellent |
| Gap Filling | Excellent |
| Converting Services | Slitting, Rewinding, Laminating, Die-Cutting, Kiss-Cutting |
Please refer to the official 3M Technical Data Sheet for complete performance specifications.
Applications
Typical applications include:
- Metal panel bonding
- Panel-to-frame assembly
- Stiffener attachment
- Decorative trim mounting
- Glass-to-metal bonding
- Appliance manufacturing
- Electronic enclosure assembly
- Transportation equipment
- Architectural panel installation
- HVAC equipment
- Industrial machinery
- Signage and display fabrication
- Solar equipment assembly
- Plastic housing assembly
- General industrial structural bonding
Compatible Materials
| Excellent Compatibility | Good Compatibility | Testing Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | Painted Metals | Polypropylene (PP) |
| Stainless Steel | ABS | Polyethylene (PE) |
| Galvanized Steel | Acrylic (PMMA) | PTFE |
| Glass | Polycarbonate (PC) | Silicone Rubber |
| Composite Materials | PVC | Untreated Low Surface Energy Plastics |
Note: GPL-160GF performs best on high surface energy (HSE) and medium surface energy (MSE) substrates. Adhesion testing is recommended before production when bonding low surface energy plastics.
Industries
- Automotive
- Electronics
- Appliance Manufacturing
- Construction
- Transportation
- Signage & Displays
- HVAC
- Renewable Energy
- Industrial Equipment
- Metal Fabrication
Why Choose 3M™ VHB™ GPL-160GF?
3M™ VHB™ GPL-160GF is the thickest tape in the GPL Series, providing exceptional gap-filling capability while maintaining outstanding structural bonding strength. It is an ideal solution for manufacturers requiring strong, durable bonds on uneven or dissimilar materials.
Key advantages include:
- 1.60 mm thick acrylic foam
- Excellent gap-filling performance
- High initial tack
- Outstanding peel and static shear strength
- Permanent structural bonding
- Waterproof sealing
- Excellent UV and weather resistance
- Superior vibration damping
- Supports automated manufacturing
- Precision die-cutting and OEM converting services
Installation Guide
- Clean all bonding surfaces using isopropyl alcohol or an approved cleaner.
- Ensure all substrates are clean, dry, and free from contaminants.
- Apply firm and uniform pressure over the entire bonding area.
- Avoid repositioning after initial contact.
- Allow 24–72 hours for maximum bond strength to develop.
- Conduct production validation before large-scale manufacturing.
Storage
Store the tape in its original packaging.
Recommended storage conditions:
- Temperature: 16°C–27°C (60°F–80°F)
- Relative Humidity: 40%–60%
- Keep away from direct sunlight.
- Store in a cool, dry environment.
- Store rolls horizontally whenever possible.
- Follow FIFO (First-In, First-Out) inventory practices.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is 3M™ VHB™ GPL-160GF used for?
GPL-160GF is designed for permanent structural bonding in automotive, appliance, electronics, transportation, construction, signage, and industrial manufacturing applications.
How thick is GPL-160GF?
The tape has a nominal thickness of 1.60 mm (62 mil).
What materials can GPL-160GF bond?
It bonds aluminum, stainless steel, galvanized steel, glass, painted metals, acrylic, polycarbonate, ABS, and many medium- and high-surface-energy plastics.
Can GPL-160GF replace rivets and screws?
Yes. It is engineered to replace many mechanical fastening methods while improving appearance, reducing weight, and simplifying manufacturing.
Is GPL-160GF suitable for outdoor applications?
Yes. It offers excellent resistance to UV exposure, weathering, moisture, and environmental aging, making it suitable for long-term indoor and outdoor use.
Can GPL-160GF be die-cut?
Yes. Guangdong Yousan provides slitting, laminating, rewinding, precision die-cutting, kiss-cutting, and custom converting services.
What is the difference between GPL-160GF and GPH-160GF?
GPL-160GF is a general-purpose structural bonding tape with a firm acrylic foam core for excellent long-term strength. GPH-160GF features a softer conformable foam and is specifically optimized for high-temperature manufacturing, including bonding before powder coating and paint-bake processes.
Do you provide OEM services?
Yes. We provide OEM packaging, custom roll widths, printed cores, die-cut components, and engineering support.
Downloads
Available upon request:
- 3M™ VHB™ GPL-160GF Technical Data Sheet (TDS)
- Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
- Product Brochure
- Application Guide
- Die-Cutting Capability Guide
Please contact our sales team if you require the latest technical documentation.
