Flammability Characteristics of

3M™ VHB™ Tapes

Technical Bulletin August 2021

Background:
3M™ VHB™ Tapes have been used worldwide in a variety of industrial applications since
1980. As national, regional and local regulations and standards change, many manufacturers
are looking to use materials that satisfy flammability standards. Several different flammability
standards exist (UL 94, NFPA 130, EN45545, etc.) for a variety of industries, and each have
their own sample preparation and test methods to demonstrate compliance.

Many of the flammability tests require standardized “open-face” test specimens (see Figure 1
for basic UL 94 schematic). A burner of specified configuration and thermal output is held in
proximity to the material for a specific amount of time. Most commonly burn time and length,
time for self-extinguishment, and flaming “drips” are
evaluated. This configuration is not representative of
double-sided tapes used to bond two noncombustible
materials.

3M™ VHB™ Flame Retardant Tape 5958FR is

oftentimes the first choice by end-users for
applications that are intended to be flame-retardant or
“FR” rated. A flame-retardant material is added to the
acrylic adhesive to specifically pass the FAR 25.853(a)
12-second burn standard. It will only pass this specific
certification and may not reliably pass others.

Figure 1: Open-Face Format Burn

Analysis:
An open-face format burn makes sense for many polymeric materials, but not for double-
sided tapes like 3M™ VHB™ Tapes that are intended for use between two substrates, which
are often non-combustible substrates. When 3M™ VHB™ Tapes are subjected to open-face
format burn testing, the acrylic adhesive will likely result in non-compliance. Instead,
manufacturers should look at a test of their assembled system – where the adhesive is
“sandwiched” between two materials in the intended end-use product configuration, more
representative of actual use.

In speaking with UL’s engineering team members, they have consistently confirmed:
“Any evaluation of an adhesive or adhesive tape needs to be conducted as part of the
specific end-use- product configuration when there’s a concern about the contribution
of the adhesive or adhesive tape to the flammability of the polymeric system”
When bonded between two non-combustible substrates, it has been observed in 3rd party
testing that 3M™ VHB™ Tapes do not contribute to flame propagation. While the bulk of the
adhesive burns in open-face formats, a closed-face format only exposes the very thin edge of
the acrylic adhesive to the flame. This edge may char or melt, but the entire bonded system
generally passes most flammability tests.

EN45545 is a European standard for railway vehicles that takes the closed-face format into
account. The adhesive is laminated between two metal panels and then burned, as shown in
Figures 2-4.

Figures 2-4: Closed-Face Format Burn

EN45545 Standards test for similar outputs (flame spread, heat emission, etc.) and 3M™
VHB™ Tapes reliably pass many of these tests due to the closed-face attachment format. This
is an indicative test that allows use of 3M™ VHB™ Tapes in applications where the substrates
are non-combustible components.

Conclusion:
In practice, 3M™ VHB™ Tapes are commonly used to bond two non-combustible
substrates. When standard 3M™ VHB™ Tapes are used to bond two non-combustible
components to create a “system”, these tapes perform well and the flame does not propagate
as the bond line is so thin and/or the 3M™ VHB™ Tape is recessed from the edge and not
exposed to direct flame.

3M™ VHB™ Flame Retardant Tape 5958FR should only be used when FAR 25.853 (a)
performance is required. In practice, the flame-retardant additive in 3M™ VHB™ Flame
Retardant Tape 5958FR acts as a “filler” in the adhesive, dropping adhesive performance and
creating more smoke in flame tests compared to standard 3M™ VHB™ Tape offerings without
a flame-retardant additive. If practical performance is the metric, independent testing of the
assembled part(s) or system with 3M™ VHB™ Tapes is suggested for consideration.
 Technical Information The technical information, guidance, and other statements contained in this document
or otherwise provided by 3M are based upon records, tests, or experience that 3M
believes to be reliable, but the accuracy, completeness, and representative nature of
such information is not guaranteed. Such information is intended for people with
knowledge and technical skills sufficient to assess and apply their own informed
judgment to the information. No license under any 3M or third party intellectual
property rights is granted or implied with this information.

Product Use Many factors beyond 3M’s control and uniquely within user’s knowledge and control
can affect the use and performance of a 3M product in a particular application. As a
result, customer is solely responsible for evaluating the product and determining
whether it is appropriate and suitable for customer’s application, including conducting a
workplace hazard assessment and reviewing all applicable regulations and standards
(e.g., OSHA, ANSI, etc.). Failure to properly evaluate, select, and use a 3M product and
appropriate safety products, or to meet all applicable safety regulations, may result in
injury, sickness, death, and/or harm to property.

Warranty, Limited Unless a different warranty is specifically stated on the applicable 3M product
packaging or product literature (in which case such warranty governs), 3M warrants that
Remedy, and Disclaimer each 3M product meets the applicable 3M product specification at the time 3M ships
the product. 3M MAKES NO OTHER WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OR
CONDITION OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR
ARISING OUT OF A COURSE OF DEALING, CUSTOM, OR USAGE OF TRADE. If a 3M
product does not conform to this warranty, then the sole and exclusive remedy is, at
3M’s option, replacement of the 3M product or refund of the purchase price.

Limitation of Liability Except for the limited remedy stated above, and except to the extent prohibited by law,
3M will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from or related to the 3M product,
whether direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential (including, but not limited
to, lost profits or business opportunity), regardless of the legal or equitable theory
asserted, including, but not limited to, warranty, contract, negligence, or strict liability.

Disclaimer 3M industrial and occupational products are intended, labeled, and packaged for sale to
trained industrial and occupational customers for workplace use. Unless specifically
stated otherwise on the applicable product packaging or literature, these products are
not intended, labeled, or packaged for sale to or use by consumers (e.g., for home,
personal, primary or secondary school, recreational/sporting, or other uses not
described in the applicable product packaging or literature), and must be selected and
used in compliance with applicable health and safety regulations and standards (e.g.,
U.S. OSHA, ANSI), as well as all product literature, user instructions, warnings, and
limitations, and the user must take any action required under any recall, field action or
other product use notice. Misuse of 3M industrial and occupational products may result
in injury, sickness, or death. For help with product selection and use, consult your on-
site safety professional, industrial hygienist, or other subject matter expert. For
additional product information, visit www.3M.com.

IS O 90 01: 2 0 0 0

This Industrial Adhesives and Tapes Division product was manufactured under a 3M quality system registered to ISO 9001: 2000 standards.

Industrial Adhesives and Tapes Division

3M Center, Building 225-3S-06
St. Paul, MN 55144-1000 3M and VHB are trademarks of 3M Company.
800-362-3550 • 877-369-2923 (Fax) ©3M 2021
www.3M.com/vhb