VELCRO® brand

Adhesives

p re s s u r e s e n s i t i v e , f i r e r e t a rd a n t , s o l ve n t a n d h e a t a c t i v a t e d
 VELCRO® brand
Adhesives
VELCRO® brand products are available with a variety of adhesives to best fit your application. Before using an adhesive for
production, it should be tested to determine the suitability of the product for its intended use. Please note that this guide
covers our most popular adhesives - contact us if you have special requirements.

Types of Adhesive Systems

Woven VELCRO® brand tapes have a binder coat which firmly locks hooks and loops in place and helps prevent fraying of
the tapes when cut. Due to this coating, many commercially available adhesives will not readily adhere to the back of woven
tape. Therefore, the use of a VELCRO® brand pre-coated adhesive backing is recommended.

Pressure Sensitive Adhesives

Pressure sensitive adhesives are popular because of the ease of application. Simply remove the release liner and press the
VELCRO® brand tape in place. Pressure sensitive adhesives should always be considered semi-permanent bonds. VELCRO®
brand pressure sensitive adhesives have been engineered to offer specific performance characteristics to meet different
requirements.

Solvent and Heat Activated Adhesives

Solvent and heat activated adhesives, available on most VELCRO® brand hook and loop tapes, provide the strongest
bond to the tape itself and can be made ready for instant bonding by many easy methods of application (e.g. solvent, heat,
ultrasonic, dielectric).

Applications
Pressure Sensitive Adhesives

Acrylic Acrylic pressure sensitive adhesives offer good shear strength, environmental resistance, and have good
adhesion to most metal and medium/high surface energy plastics.

VELCRO® brand Adhesive 72 VELCRO® brand Adhesive 75

• Formulated for high temperature performance and • Formulated for vinyl substrates
superior bond strength • Moderate tack - medium set up
• Moderate tack - medium set up • Full bond strength in 24 hours
• Full bond strength in 24 hours • Temperature operating range -20°F to 230°F
• Temperature operating range -20°F to 225°F

Synthetic Rubber Rubber-based pressure sensitive adhesives have good adhesion to low surface energy
substrates. They should be used indoors, at room temperature.

VELCRO® brand Adhesive 13 VELCRO® brand Adhesive 15

• Formulated especially for resistance to light • Formulated for many substrates, especially uneven
moisture or rough surfaces
• High tack - quick setting • High tack - quick setting
• Achieves 80% bond strength in an hour; full • Achieves 80% bond strength in about an hour; full
strength in 24 hours strength in 30 hours
• Temperature operating range -20°F to 180°F • Temperature operating range -40°F to 120°F
• Recommended for most room temperature
applications

VELCRO® brand Adhesive 19 VELCRO® brand Adhesive 32

• Formulated especially for low energy plastics • Formulated for many substrates
• High tack - quick setting • High tack - quick setting
• Achieves 80% bond strength in an hour; full • Achieves 80% bond strength in an hour; full
strength in 30 hours strength in 30 hours
• Temperature operating range -40°F to 185°F • Temperature operating range -40°F to 120°F
• Recommended for most room temperature
applications
 Fire Retardant Fire retardant pressure sensitive adhesives are suitable for use in applications requiring
certification to industry specifications, such as automotive.

VELCRO® brand Adhesive 8219 VELCRO® brand Adhesive 8224

• A rubber-based pressure sensitive adhesive • A rubber-based pressure sensitive adhesive
formulated especially for low energy plastics formulated to meet Boeing Specification BMS 8-285
• High tack - quick setting • High tack - quick setting
• Achieves 80% bond strength in about an hour; full • Achieves 80% bond strength in about an hour; full
strength in 30 hours strength in 30 hours
• Temperature operating range -40°F to 185°F • Temperate operating range -65°F to 160°F
• Certified to FAR 25.853 60 second burn test for nylon • Certified to BMS 8-285 60 second burn test for nylon
hook and loop and 12 second burn test for hook and loop and 12 second burn test for
polyester hook and loop polyester hook and loop*

Choose the right pressure sensitive adhesive for your needs...

HIGH ENERGY
Aluminum
Stainless Steel
Copper
Tin
Glass
Nylon
Polyester
Epoxy Paint
Polyurethane
ABS
PVC
Acrylic
Polystyrene
Polyethylene
Polypropylene
LOW ENERGY

13 15 19 32 72 75 8219 8224

Best bond Good to fair bond Poor bond

*Only available to Boeing companies. All others will be certified to equivalent FAR 25.853 vertical burn tests.
Solvent and Heat Activated Adhesives

Solvent Solvent activated adhesives are recommended for applications where a more permanent bond is
desired . Dry to the touch, these adhesives become tacky upon activation using solvents.

VELCRO® brand Adhesive 40 Bonding Method Notes

• Activated by MEK, acetone, or MCL If substrate is a non-porous smooth surface, apply the
recommended solvent activator freely to the back of the
• Can also be used with liquid adhesive or
VELCRO® brand tape with a brush or sponge applicator and allow
ultrasonically welded when porous substrates exist
the adhesive to become tacky. When tacky, position the tape on
• Ultimate bond strength is achieved in 24 hours a cleaned substrate using finger pressure to smooth tape. (This is
• Temperature operating range -40° F to 250° F most important on edges and corners.) Follow a few minutes later
with additional hand pressure to ensure a complete bond. Let dry
overnight or speed up drying with 140° F heat source. Please be
sure to use appropriate safety precautions when using a solvent
activator (i.e. proper ventilation, gloves, etc.).

Heat Heat activated adhesives are recommended for applications where a more permanent bond is desired.
Dry to the touch, these adhesives become tacky upon activation using RF welding or ironing

VELCRO® brand Adhesive 43 Bonding Method Notes

• Activated using ultrasonic and dielectric (RF) For Ultrasonic - Precoated tape should be positioned on top of
machinery, iron-on heat, or other common heat substrate. A perimeter weld at least 1/8” wide should be used to
generating equipment prevent peel delamination. Machine settings including pressure,
• Will bond to a wide range of fabrics and plastics and weld, and dwell (hold time) should be varied according to weld
has excellent water resistance patterns, materials utilized and bond strength desired.

• Ultimate bond strength is achieved in 24 hours For Dielectric (RF) - Precoated tape should be positioned on top
• Temperature operating range -40° F to 160° F of substrate (commonly vinyl). A perimeter weld at least 1/8” wide
should be used to prevent peel delamination. Machine settings
including energy level, preseal, seal, and cool times may vary
according to weld patterns and materials being used.

For Iron-On - Substrate (commonly fabric) should be positioned

on top of pre-coated tape. Pass warmed iron over substrate
several times at incremental heat settings until adhesive softens
onto substrate. Do not allow adhesive to contact hot iron surface.
Allow to cool before hand peel testing.
Recommended Application Method for Solvent and Heat
Activated Adhesives

Application Method Solvent Activated Adhesive (40) Heat Activated Adhesive (43)
MEK/Acetone/MCL X
RF Weld/Dielectrics X X
Iron-on or other heat X

Using Our Adhesives

General Recommendations for Best Results

Surface Preparation
It is important that all surfaces be thoroughly cleaned
before applying VELCRO® brand adhesives. All cleaning
agents should be tested prior to use to ensure the
cleaning agent will not have adverse effects on the
substrate. In some circumstances, isopropyl alcohol
(rubbing alcohol) may be a sufficient cleaning agent.
Citrus cleaners are not recommended.

Your Plant Conditions

It is important to work in an area that is clean and free
from dirt and dust in the air. The adhesive should be
applied at room temperature, with the ideal room
temperature between 65° F and 75° F and relative
humidity 40% to 65%. Please note, the lower the
humidity, the better the bond. Excessive cold, heat, dirt
and relative humidity will be detrimental to your adhesive performance. If adhesive must be applied at temperatures lower
than 65° F, warm the substrate and the tape to elevate temperature prior to applying. This may help the adhesive cure. If
using VELCRO® brand 72 adhesive, allow full curing time before loading or cycling. It is also essential to have a well ventilated
area to remove fumes and odors for the safety and comfort of your employees, and as required by your local and OSHA
standards.

Limitations
VELCRO® brand adhesives are not recommended for submersion in water or on plastics with high concentrations of
plasticizers. Adhesives are not washable or dry cleanable.
Recommendations for Different Types of Surfaces

Here are some additional recommendations to improve the surface area of a variety of substrates for better adhesion.

Porous Substrate
This type of surface is one that requires a primer or sealer to provide a suitable bonding area. Allow the treated surface to dry
completely before applying your VELCRO® brand adhesive-backed tape. Better adhesion may be obtained when used with a
liquid adhesive.

Non-Porous Substrate
VELCRO® brand Adhesive 40 is suitable for non-porous substrates. Better adhesion may also be obtained when used together
with a liquid adhesive.

Smooth Surfaces
Improved bonding can be achieved by roughing up a smooth surface before applying adhesive.

Weak Substrate
Paper is a good example of a weak substrate. If the surface is weak, reinforcing the substrate with additional coverage of a
liquid adhesive may improve performance.

Important Notice to Purchaser

User shall determine the suitability of the product for their intended use, and user assumes all risks and liability whatsoever in
connection therewith. All statements, technical advice and recommendations contained herein are based on tests believed
to be reliable, but the accuracy there of is not guaranteed, and the following is made in lieu of all warranties, expressed or
implied: seller’s and manufacturer’s only obligation shall be to replace the quantity of product proven to be defective. Neither
seller nor manufacturer shall be liable for any injury, loss or damage, direct or consequential, arising out of the use of or the
inability to use the product. No statement or recommendation not contained herein shall have any force or effect unless in an
agreement signed by officers of seller and manufacturer.
the velcro companies are worldwide leaders in fastening systems offering a wide

range of solutions from standard hook and loop to complete finished products.

50 years of experience: we are proud of our heritage in innovation, having over 300
active patents to offer better solutions to satisfy our customers’ needs.

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Velcro Canada Inc. Velcro de Mexico, S.A. de C.V.
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