tesa, arguably the world’s leading exponent of adhesive tape development, has launched an entirely new and radically different product range – tesa ACXplus.

tesa ACXplus technology takes the chemistry involved in tape production forward another generation, enabling a new functional combination of its chemical components whilst acting as a solvent-free coating of high performance acrylic systems in thicker formats.

tesa ACXplus therefore presents the most effective double-sided tape solution for “constructive bonding” currently available.
Jochen Fiencke, International Product Manager, comments “tesa ACXplus is not just an alternative to traditional mechanical fastening methods; it offers significant advantages which can be seen in its bonding power, its stress dissipation and its temperature and weather resistance”.

Constructive bonding requires durability even in extreme conditions, and the ability to endure the dynamic and static stresses acting upon the bond. In outdoor applications there will be temperature variations to contend with and often the effects of water, U/V light or even exposure to chemicals Ester von Possel, Director of Technology and Product Development for tesa ACXplus, explains that the key performance benefits in stress dissipation are uniquely available to this product range through its viscoelasticity.
“Viscoelasticity describes a material performance which embodies both elastic and viscous characteristics. These enable our tapes to dissipate extreme physical stress. When two materials with different thermal elongations, for example glass and aluminium, are bonded tesa ACXplus will deliver an optimal high strength bond even where extreme temperature conditions and high wind loads are encountered”.

Dorothee Drewes, Director of Permanent Fastening Solutions, Product and Market Management goes on to develop the theme of product performance, where the nature of the substrates being bonded is very different.
“tesa ACXplus has a powerful bond on materials with different surface characteristics because the acrylic adhesive system used enables optimal wetting and chemically adapts to the bonded surfaces”.

In addition tape thicknesses can be adjusted to compensate for rough and uneven surfaces. Decades of bonding can be confidently predicted as a result.

In the building industry reliable bonding of different substrates plays a key role and self-adhesive tapes are increasingly replacing the more mechanical approaches such as welding and riveting.

The new patented technology in tesa ACXplus is based on high capacity acrylates specially developed for constructive long term bonding. This technology offers many advantages over more traditional methods including clear full-surface bonding, extreme load capacity, corrosion prevention and good aesthetic results. In addition, adhesive tapes are able to fulfil requirements such as vibration and shock absorption and sealing against liquids.

tesa ACXplus double-sided tape is ideal for use on long-term outdoor applications, for bonding parts where tensions need to be compensated for and on hard to bond materials or parts with uneven and irregular surfaces.

It is extremely effective in providing invisible fastening of translucent sheets to metal frameworks in sign production, where its viscoelastic backing material compensates for different thermal elongation factors. tesa ACXplus is especially suitable for the bonding of metals (aluminium, steel) with plastics (PMMA, PVC, PC) and also provides maximum security with its high performance adhesive system.

Examples of applications in the building supply industry for the new range include invisible fastenings for signs and glass partition walls, permanent bonding of decorative bars on windows, doors and furniture, reinforcing metal doors in lifts, protective bumper rails to walls and furniture and bonding of glass or MDF panels to light housings.

As part of its tesacohesion philosophy based on people, products, processes and performance the tesa aim is to build its own bond with customers which involve in-depth knowledge of manufacturing methods.

This concept extends to embrace the launch of tesa ACXplus with the availability of specialist adhesion promoters for use on substrates with a low surface energy or where there is likely to be exposure to extreme temperature and weather conditions.

In addition a range of tape applicators is available, catering for a variation in width of tape and production process, together with pressure rollers and tabbing cutters.

tesa’s sales team will also work with customers to develop sophisticated customised application systems in bench, spool or straight line dispensing methods.

tesa has 75 years of experience in the development, production and marketing of advanced tape technologies, operating through 51 subsidiaries in more than 100 countries around the globe.

Even in this long history the new tesa ACXplus is seen as a quantum leap in adhesive tape developments.

Dr. Stefan Röber, Executive Vice President, Research and Development, sums up the significance of the product’s introduction.
“Our tesa ACXplus products are based on a unique, future-orientated technology and have been developed for extremely demanding bonds. We can not only offer solutions for all known applications but are now able to develop a portfolio of products for application areas where no adhesive bonding solutions have previously been available”.