Hi Bill and all, 3M makes a line of double sided adhesive tapes called VHB (for "very high bond" strength) and they truly are high strength. We use them in our flow meter instrument enclosures, which see at least that much temp, and we bond aluminum to delrin, which is somewhat hard to stick to.
Their support # is 1-800-227-5085 and they will recommend the proper type of tape. Ask them if any of the standard 3M tapes that you see at Wal-Mart / Target etc are the same. Like you, I would allow for the difference in expansion, and this is best done by using a thin closed cell carrier foam (about .025" tck) which comes sandwiched in between the adhesive films. I would guess that they might recommend their #4930 - a white, closed-cell acrylic foam carrier with an all-purpose adhesive. Don't be fooled in thinking you would never use tape to hold something you care about. These are used in the auto and other critical industries. I wouldn't use it for something you want to last 50-100 years, but they are definitely as good as "gluing", and for many applications they are great. Fritz -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, August 28, 2001 10:23 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Gluing Stainless to Aluminum I am consulting on a local sun sculpture which requires that an aluminum backing be glued to 6" x 24" stainless steel mirrors. They can't be screwed on for fear that the screws and holes might distort the mirror, and hence the image. The temperature exposure will range from -20 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit seasonally, and I think that the glue must be able to forgive the small difference in the metals' coefficients of expansion. Any recommendations? Silicon glue, polyurethane, epoxy, or something else? Thanks- Bill Gottesman
