3M™ VHB™ GPH-160GF Tape

3M™ VHB™ GPH-160GF Tape: high-performance double-sided adhesive for industrial assembly

The 3M™ VHB™ GPH-160GF tape is a double-sided acrylic adhesive designed for durable industrial assembly, without screws or welding.

Its high-density grey foam offers exceptional resistance to vibrations, shocks, and temperature fluctuations.

It bonds effectively to metals, composites, and painted surfaces, even in demanding environments.

A must-have for professionals seeking reliable structural bonding over the long term.

What is 3M™ VHB™ GPH-160GF tape?

The 3M™ VHB™ GPH-160GF tape is a high-performance double-sided adhesive with a grey acrylic foam core. It is designed for permanent industrial assembly on painted, metallic, or plastic surfaces.

The acronym VHB™ stands for Very High Bond. It is more than just a simple adhesive tape: it replaces screws, rivets, and liquid adhesives in numerous applications.

The GPH-160GF is distinguished by its 1.6 mm thickness and grey color. This thickness allows it to absorb surface irregularities and fill micro-gaps between two substrates.

VHB™ Technology: a solvent-free viscoelastic acrylic adhesive

The core of the GPH-160GF is a viscoelastic acrylic foam. It deforms slightly under load, distributing stresses across the entire bonding surface rather than concentrating them at a single point.

Unlike liquid adhesives or sealants, this tape is solvent-free. It releases no VOCs, hardens without drying time, and develops its final strength within a few hours after application.

The acrylic formulation offers excellent performance in a temperature range from -40 °C to +90 °C, with acceptable peaks up to +149 °C. It also resists UV radiation, moisture, and vibrations.

Product	Thickness	Core color	Thermal resistance (continuous)	Typical use
3M™ VHB™ GPH-160GF	1.6 mm	Grey	+90 °C	Painted surfaces, plastics, metals
3M™ VHB™ GPH-110GF	1.1 mm	Grey	+90 °C	Thin assemblies, small surface gaps
3M™ VHB™ 4941	1.1 mm	Grey	+90 °C	Facades, glazing, composite panels
3M™ VHB™ 5952	1.1 mm	Black	+90 °C	Low surface energy (PP, PE)
Tesa® ACXplus 7076	1.0 mm	Grey	+90 °C	Light to medium industrial assembly

Technical specifications and typical properties of the GPH-160GF

The 3M™ VHB™ GPH-160GF is a double-sided adhesive tape with a grey viscoelastic acrylic foam. Its foam core provides excellent absorption of vibrations and mechanical stresses.

The total thickness of the tape is 1.6 mm. This thickness allows for the compensation of slight flatness defects between two assembled surfaces.

The GPH-160GF comes with a grey liner. It is designed for bonding materials with low surface energy, particularly painted plastics, composite panels, and aluminum profiles.

Its key typical properties:

• Thickness: 1.6 mm
• Foam color: Grey
• Static shear resistance: High
• Service temperature range: approximately -40 °C to +90 °C
• Resistance to UV, moisture, and common solvents
• High-performance acrylic adhesive on both sides

This tape is part of the 3M VHB (Very High Bond) range, recognized in the industry as a reliable alternative to riveting, welding, or screwing for certain applications.

Product	Thickness	Foam color	Target surface	Max. temperature
3M™ VHB™ GPH-160GF	1.6 mm	Grey	Low surface energy	~90 °C
3M™ VHB™ 4941	1.1 mm	Grey	Painted surfaces, metals	~90 °C
3M™ VHB™ 4950	1.1 mm	White	Smooth, high energy surfaces	~90 °C
3M™ VHB™ 5952	1.1 mm	Black	Plastics, composites	~90 °C

Industrial applications and fields of use for the GPH-160GF

The 3M™ VHB™ GPH-160GF tape is designed for demanding industrial assemblies, especially in environments exposed to moisture, UV rays, and temperature variations.

Its high-density grey acrylic foam provides excellent cohesion on smooth or slightly textured surfaces. It effectively replaces classic mechanical fasteners: screws, rivets, welds.

Here are the typical fields of application for the GPH-160GF:

• Facades and cladding: bonding of aluminum, zinc, and stainless steel composite panels
• Outdoor signage: bonding of signs and cut-out letters onto metal or painted supports
• Automotive industry: assembly of body parts, hubcaps, and trim
• Electronics and appliances: fixing of housings, heat sinks, and screens
• Modular construction: assembly of lightweight structures made of aluminum or lacquered steel

The GPH-160GF is particularly suitable for low surface energy materials that are difficult to bond, such as powder coatings or technical plastics.

Product	Foam color	Thickness	Main usage	Temperature resistance
3M™ VHB™ GPH-160GF	Grey	1.6 mm	Facades, signage, painted surfaces	up to +90 °C
3M™ VHB™ GPH-110GF	Grey	1.1 mm	Thin assemblies, electronics	up to +90 °C
3M™ VHB™ 4941	Grey	1.1 mm	Smooth surfaces, glass, metal	up to +90 °C
3M™ VHB™ 4950	White	1.1 mm	White surfaces, clear plastics	up to +90 °C

At Dagobert Industrie, we offer the GPH-160GF to professionals seeking a durable, aesthetic assembly solution that is resistant to external stresses.

Comparison: GPH-160GF vs. other 3M™ VHB™ GP range tapes

The 3M™ VHB™ GP range includes several double-sided acrylic tapes designed for demanding structural assemblies. Each reference is distinguished by its thickness, density, and mechanical performance.

Characteristic	GPH-110GF	GPH-160GF	GPH-220GF
Thickness	1.1 mm	1.6 mm	2.2 mm
Color	Grey	Grey	Grey
Core	Acrylic foam	Acrylic foam	Acrylic foam
UV resistance	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent
Vibration absorption	Good	Very good	Optimal
Irregular surfaces	Low tolerance	Good tolerance	Very good tolerance
Typical applications	Flat, smooth surfaces	General industrial use	Rough surfaces, seals

GPH-160GF vs GPH-110GF: what are the differences?

The GPH-110GF is the thinnest in the series. It is suitable for perfectly flat and smooth surfaces where space is constrained.

The GPH-160GF gains 0.5 mm in thickness. This extra foam significantly improves conformability and the absorption of mechanical stresses.

Result: The GPH-160GF is more tolerant of slight surface irregularities and differential thermal expansion. It is the ideal compromise between compactness and performance.

If your surfaces are strictly flat, the GPH-110GF is sufficient. As soon as they present a texture or slight relief, the GPH-160GF is the better choice.

Implementation tips to ensure bonding performance

The VHB GPH-160GF tape only develops its full strength if the surface is properly prepared. A botched bonding job will cut its hold in half or even more.

Clean the surfaces with a suitable solvent (70% minimum isopropanol) before application. Remove all oils, dust, and processing residues.

The surface must be dry and at a positive temperature at the moment of application. Below 10 °C, the adhesive does not wet the substrate as well, and the final bond is compromised.

Then, apply firm and uniform pressure along the entire length of the joint. The ideal tool is a 2 kg roller passed two to three times. Pressure activates the transfer of adhesive into the micro-asperities of the surface.

Allow for a load build-up time before applying mechanical stress. Optimal strength is reached after 24 to 72 hours at room temperature.

Key points to remember:

• Surfaces must be clean, dry, and degreased
• Application temperature ≥ 10 °C
• Application pressure: 15 N/cm² minimum
• Wait 24 hours before loading
• Avoid contact with water in the first few hours

On low surface energy materials (PP, PE, PTFE), a 3M™ Primer 94 significantly improves the GPH-160GF's adhesion.

FAQ - 3M™ VHB™ GPH-160GF Tape

1. What is 3M™ VHB™ GPH-160GF tape used for?

It is a high-performance double-sided adhesive tape designed for permanent industrial assemblies.

It replaces rivets, screws, or welds on smooth or slightly textured surfaces. It is typically used for attaching panels, profiles, or signs onto metal or glass structures.

2. What surfaces does the GPH-160GF bond to?

It adheres effectively to steel, aluminum, glass, composites, and many plastics.

Surfaces must be clean, dry, and degreased before application. A poorly prepared surface drastically reduces the final bond strength.

3. How is it different from a standard VHB tape like the 4941?

The GPH-160GF has a stiffer grey foam core, suitable for assemblies requiring high shear resistance.

The 4941, on the other hand, is a softer foam, better at absorbing vibrations and compensating for surface irregularities. The choice depends on the rigidity of your assembly.

4. Does the GPH-160GF withstand heat and weather?

Yes. It withstands temperatures up to approximately 90 °C continuously, with higher short-term peaks.

Its formulation also resists moisture, UV radiation, and common chemical agents. It is suitable for exposed outdoor applications.

5. How to optimize adhesion during application?

Apply the tape at a temperature between 15 °C and 38 °C for optimal activation of the adhesive.

Apply firm and uniform pressure after installation, using a roller is recommended. Full load-bearing capacity is reached after 24 to 72 hours.

6. Can this tape be removed after bonding?

No, the VHB GPH-160GF is designed for permanent assembly. Removal is very difficult without damaging the surfaces.

If you need a repositionable fastener, you should look towards temporary adhesive solutions. At Dagobert Industrie, we can guide you toward the reference suited to your needs.