How to Ensure Your Heavy-Duty Adhesive is Sturdy Enough

Adhesive strength facilitates a range of everyday applications and tasks, many of which we take for granted. Glues and adhesives can be used to hold furniture in place in our homes, and to construct complex systems in an industrial environment. The ability to bond materials together is therefore a fundamental process in our daily lives, allowing us to be creative and construct new products.

Heavy duty adhesives in particular are known for their unbeatable strength and durability, where these glues are able to bond surfaces together that may not respond to weaker adhesives. They are also designed to hold larger weights for long periods of time, meaning they can be used for a wide range of applications.

Importantly, users need to find the right adhesive strength for their project to ensure a secure hold, where there are numerous VELCRO® Brand options on offer to appeal to these various requirements.

Read on to find out more about the science behind adhesive strength, with a look at why choosing the right option is so important.

The Science of Adhesive Strength

An adhesive is a specialist substance that is designed to bond materials or surfaces together, providing a strong and lasting hold. This impressive strength is achieved via a combination of physical and chemical processes, facilitating a connection between two parts.

In particular, this sticking effect is reinforced via the force of adhesion, where the adhesive interacts with the molecules on the surface of the material that it is being attached to, forming a strong bond. Cohesive forces will then help the adhesive to resist separation, even when a heavy weight is applied.

Adhesive strength is also achieved through a process known as wetting, where the adhesive will spread across the surface in question to maximise contact. This process is further impacted by surface energy or tension. Glass and metals are considered high energy surfaces, meaning the adhesive can bond to them easily. In contrast, low energy surfaces like plastics can be more difficult to stick in a lasting way.

Our VELCRO® Adhesives

VELCRO® Brand products utilise a rubber resin-based adhesive to provide a lasting hold, where these are available in varying strengths.

For instance, the VELCRO® Brand standard PS14 adhesive is designed to have a maximum strength of 300g per 20mm x 20mm strip, if the product is used under optimal conditions. This means it can be applied to a variety of lightweight hanging and securing tasks.

In contrast, the VELCRO® Brand heavy duty range utilises PS51 or PS52 adhesive, suitable for more strenuous fixing applications. This product is designed to hold up to 15kg of weight by 100mm x 50mm piece, under ideal conditions.

Choosing The Right Adhesive Strength

When choosing an adhesive for your next project, it is important to consider the needs of your hanging or fixing task. Work out the weight of the item you’re trying to secure before you purchase an adhesive, so you can make sure that you’re investing in the right product.

Once you have everything you need to fix or hang your item, you should then ensure that you follow the product instructions carefully. You may be required to wipe clean surfaces beforehand, whilst some adhesives only reach their maximum strength after a set period of time has elapsed.

Choosing the right adhesive product is essential in order to guarantee that your project will hold for the long term. Using a weak adhesive can also lead to costly repairs and the need to buy new fixing products, whilst using an adhesive that is overly strong could cause damage to your surfaces.

When selecting a VELCRO® Brand adhesive, you should peruse the product details and specifications carefully to ensure that you’re choosing the right option for your project. The MPD Hook & Loop team will also be happy to advise you further if you need more information about which adhesive is right for your particular hanging or fixing task.

Heavy Duty Adhesive VELCRO® Projects

There are so many ways you can make the most of VELCRO® Brand heavy duty adhesives, whether you’re looking to utilise our strips or coins for your latest project.

Some top applications include:

Storage Solutions – Heavy duty pieces are ideal for fitting storage solutions for your home or business. You can fix shelves and organisers to your walls without the need for drilling, allowing you to declutter your interior and make the most of vertical space.
Outdoor Pieces – You can also use heavy duty adhesives to add storage solutions to your outdoor space, as these fixing products possess weather resistant qualities. Consider fixing a planter to your garden fence, or holding a trellis in place against the elements.
Home Decor – Heavy duty adhesive options are great for hanging picture frames or securing mirrors throughout your home. This is especially useful for rental properties if you’re looking for a damage and mess-free hanging solution.
Temporary Fixtures – You may wish to use a heavy duty adhesive for temporary hanging and fixing projects. For instance, if you’re creating a pop-up commercial display or a trade show unit, then these adhesives can provide a strong hold without the need for permanent screws or hooks.
Furniture Modifications – Due to their impressive strength, heavy duty adhesives can also be used to construct modular furniture or to customise pre-existing units. These add ons will stand the test of time whilst also being easy to remove if needed.

MPD Hook & Loop: Heavy Duty Adhesives For Your Next Project

Our heavy duty VELCRO® Brand products are the perfect tool for your next hanging or fixing project, with a rubber resin base that is designed to provide a lasting hold. So whether you’re looking to hang a weighty picture frame or fix a DIY shelving unit, our heavy duty range provides the ideal solution.

In particular, our heavy duty PS51 and PS52 range is designed for use on rough and uneven surfaces, providing a secure bond that stands the test of time. This adhesive can be applied to a wide range of materials, including stainless steel, glass, plywood and polyester, with successful applications across a temperature range of -15°C to +90°C.

You can also choose to purchase your heavy duty double sided tape in a roll or a retail pack, where we also supply heavy duty coins for precision applications. Always bear in mind that you will need to purchase corresponding hook and loop pieces if these are sold separately.

Get in touch with us today to find out more about our heavy duty range – our expert team is always on hand to answer your questions.