Buyer's Guide: Industrial Adhesives & Tapes

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Industrial adhesives are an important part of manufacturing and assembly processes. They provide a more reliable and more cost-effective solution than traditional fasteners and can often be used in places where these fasteners are not feasible. Unlike screws, nails and rivets, these substances form a chemical bond between the materials, resulting in a stronger and more secure adhesion that is less likely to fail and corrode over time. They are also faster to apply and require less energy and labor to apply, resulting in lower manpower and material costs. As such, these chemical compounds are used in a wide range of applications, from automotive manufacturing to furniture assembly.

Types of industrial adhesives

Industrial adhesives are available in a variety of forms, including liquid, paste, foam and film. The form depends on the application and the materials being bonded. Liquid types, for instance, are often used for joining metal, while foam and film adhesives are suitable for plastic and other soft materials.

Common types include epoxy, silicone, acrylic and hot melt.

Epoxy adhesives are strong, resistant to heat and chemicals, and can be used to bond a variety of materials, including metal, plastic and wood.

Silicone adhesives are flexible and have heat and moisture resistance, making them ideal for applications such as sealing and gasketing.

Acrylic adhesives are strong, fast-curing and offer excellent resistance to chemicals and temperature extremes.

Hot-melt adhesives are thermoplastic types that are melted and applied as a liquid. They are fast-curing and provide a strong bond.

Industrial tapes

Tape is another kind of adhesive commonly used in industrial applications. Industrial tape is available in a variety of materials for a range of applications such as sealing boxes and packages, protecting surfaces from abrasion and providing electrical insulation. It is also used in automotive manufacturing to secure wiring and other components.

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Common types include vinyl, duct and aluminum. Vinyl tape is flexible, waterproof and often employed for sealing and packaging. Duct tape is strong and durable, making it the typical choice for repairs and other industrial applications. Aluminum tape is reflective and usually used for insulation and wrapping.

Clear industrial tapes

Clear industrial tape is designed for applications where aesthetics are important. It is often used for packaging, as it is less visible and provides a more professional look.

Clear industrial tape is also stronger than traditional counterparts and are more resistant to UV light and chemicals, making it ideal for applications requiring a strong, long-lasting bond.

Conclusion

Industrial adhesives and tapes are critical components of many processes, including those in the packaging, furniture, construction, automotive, electrical and electronics industries.

Frequently asked questions about industrial adhesives

How to select the right industrial adhesive?

Different adhesives are designed for different materials and applications, so it’s important to choose the right type of adhesive for your market.

It’s also important to consider the environmental conditions the adhesive will be exposed to, as some adhesives are more resistant to heat and moisture than others.

Curing time is another consideration. Some adhesives are fast-curing and can be used in applications requiring quick assembly, while others require more time and are better suited for applications where a stronger bond is needed.

What are the most important factors buyers must consider when buying industrial adhesives?

The key factors to look for when sourcing industrial adhesives are temperature range, shear strength, and chemical resistance. The first aspect determines the range of temperatures in which the adhesive can be used without losing its bond strength. Shear strength refers to the bond strength of the adhesive, and chemical resistance to its ability to resist chemicals such as solvents and fuels.

It’s also important to consider the volatile organic compound (VOC) content, as this will affect its environmental impact. Adhesives with a low VOC content are better for the environment and will result in less air pollution.

What is the market size of industrial adhesives?

Industrial adhesives’ many applications in various industries are driving market growth. Globally, this category reached $39 billion in 2019, according to Allied Market Research, and is expected to hit $54.9 billion by 2027 at a CAGR of 6.3 percent from 2020.

How to find trustworthy industrial adhesive manufacturers?

Online platforms nowadays allow buyers to easily look for the right manufacturer that meets their specific needs. Global Sources, for instance, not only provides site visitors with a comprehensive list of products and their details but also a list of suppliers that have been verified by third parties to ensure buyers are only dealing with legitimate companies. The B2B sourcing platform lets visitors filter and customize their searches, check the qualifications and relevant company information of the suppliers and take a virtual tour of some of the manufacturers’ facilities.

Industrial glue set for metal repair

Company: Fujian U Know Supply Management Co. Ltd

Description: The PX-Industrial Adhesive-1118 is a two-piece industrial glue set for metal repair. Intended as an alternative to torch welding, this product is made of epoxy resin, hardener, and active diluent. It can bond almost all clean surfaces without dust and oil. When fully cured, it is as hard as iron, has uniform thickness, can withstand temperatures of up to 150 C and can be shaped, tapped, filed, sanded or drilled. Hardness is 80 Shore D and shear strength 18MPA at 25 C. Full curing time is 12 hours at 25 C. Fujian U Know provides OEM services. It has BSCI and Sedex certifications.

Price: $7.70 per set

MOQ: 1 set

Lead time:  7 to 15 days

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General-purpose silicone sealant/adhesive

Company: Jinjiang Jiaxing Supply Management Co. Ltd

Description: The Glass Glue-073Y is a general-purpose silicone sealant/adhesive that can be used in the construction, fiber and garment, footwear and leather, packing, transportation and woodworking industries. This can come in any color. Jinjiang Jiaxing Supply has a 30,000sqm factory and an in-house R&D department.

Price: $0.83 to $1

MOQ: 1,000 pieces

Lead time: 15 to 25 days

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Adhesive for double-sided tissue, aluminum & pressure-sensitive tapes

Company: Beijing Yanuo Adhesive Products Co. Ltd

Description: This industrial adhesive, model number 8001002-5, is available in hot-melt, solid hot-melt, acrylic, liquid-acrylic and pressure-sensitive variants. Applications include double-sided tissue, aluminum foil and pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes. Beijing Yanuo specializes in adhesive tapes used in various backing materials, and has an annual production capacity of 32 million square meters. It is ISO 9001:2000-compliant.

Price: $0.50 to $0.90 per sqm

MOQ: 2,000sqm

Lead time: 20 to 30 days

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Hot-melt glue

Company: Humanxm (Quanzhou) Shoes and Garments Corp.

Description: Model HM23020 is a hot-melt glue made from synthetic resins. It has extremely low water vapor transmission and enhanced adhesion to glass, aluminum alloy, galvanized and stainless steel, and other materials. This adhesive is formulated to resist aging and offer good plasticity and sealing in a wide temperature range, with no cracking on the surface. Humanxm accepts OEM projects. It has a 4,000sqm factory.

Price: $56.90 per barrel

MOQ: 50 barrels

Lead time: 10 to 20 days

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Solvent-free silicone glue

Company: Gaea Enterprises (Shanghai) Co. Ltd

Description: The GA3-043-1490 is a silicone glue in a 60mL bottle and can be used on paper, cardboard, fabric, leather, glass, metal, porcelain and ceramics. It is alcohol-based and solvent-free. Bonding time is 30 to 60 seconds. This product has a 12-month shelf life. It meets REACH, EN71 and ATSTM-D4236 standards. Gaea welcomes OEM orders.

Price: $0.179 to $0.221

MOQ: 10,000 pieces

Lead time: 45 to 60 days

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Industrial-grade masking tape

Company: Lixin Adhesive Technology (Shanghai) Co. Ltd

Description: The Masking Tape-011 is industrial-grade and provides medium-high adhesion suitable for noncritical painting and industrial applications that demand quick stick and clean removal. It has a semi crepe carrier and a synthetic rubber resin adhesive. This 0.135mm-thick tape can be used on a variety of surfaces, including vinyl, glass, plastic and rubber, without tearing or lifting, and can withstand 150 F or 65.5 C. Available colors are beige, yellow and brown.

Price: $0.325 to $0.345 per sqm

MOQ: 3,000sqm

Lead time: 7 to 15 days

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Transparent acrylic tape, double-sided adhesive

Company: Shenzhen Jinliyang Technology Co. Ltd

Description: The Red Double Sided Adhesive is a transparent acrylic tape with high adhesion and heat resistance. It can be used for mobile phone repair, mounting of plastic and rubber décor or accessories on car dashboards, bonding of decorative profiles and moldings to furniture and securing battery packs, lenses and touchscreens on electronic devices. Shenzhen Jinliyang specializes in repair tools for phones and computers. It accepts OEM orders.

Price: $0.31 to $5.84

MOQ: 50 pieces

Lead time: 7 to 15 days

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Weather-resistant industrial silicone adhesive/sealant

Company: Jiangsu Runtai Sealant Industry Co. Ltd

Description: This weather-resistant industrial silicone adhesive/sealant for doors and windows, with model number 9002, comes in a 300mL plastic bottle and is available in black, clear, gray, white, brown and other colors. It has age, UV, ozone, heat and cold resistance. This product can be used for joint sealing of marble, granite, glass and aluminum curtain walls, and bonding and sealing of stone, ceramic, concrete and other building materials. Its shelf life is 12 months. Jiangsu Runtai has been producing silicone sealants since 2008.

Price: $0.60 to $1.99

MOQ: 48 pieces

Lead time: 3 to 15 days

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Safety hazard tape

Company: Suzhou Quanjuda Purification Technology Co. Ltd

Description: The AT-0111-1 safety hazard tape uses PVC film as base material and is coated with a pressure-sensitive rubber adhesive. It has water, moisture, weather and corrosion resistance, is anti-static, and can be used on underground air and water pipes and oil pipelines. With strong viscosity, this tape can be used on cement and wooden floors, ceramic tiles, marble walls and machines. Suzhou Quanjuda manufactures and exports ESD and cleanroom products. It provides OEM services.

Price: $1.45 to $1.65

MOQ: 100 pieces

Lead time: 3 to 15 days

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Tile sealant, epoxy resin

Company: Zhejiang Dianfeng Industrial Co. Ltd

Description: This ready-to-use odorless tile sealant, the DFMFJ-001-2761, is water-, mildew and stain-resistant. It is made from epoxy resin combined with color pigments and a hardener agent. ISO 9001-compliant Zhejiang Dianfeng markets products under the Summit Person brand, but also welcomes OEM projects.

Price: $2.40 to $2.60

MOQ: 1,500 pieces

Lead time: 7 to 10 days

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