The Best Bond
While
there are several adhesive
systems used on window films
today, only one is developed and
made exclusively for window film
by the world's best adhesive
innovator – the
3M
Company.
3M
window film uses a unique
pressure sensitive adhesive with
over twenty-five years of
performance success unmatched by
any other adhesive system.
The truth is that window film is
only as good as the adhesive
behind it. The long-term clarity
of window film rests primarily
in the adhesive. With that in
mind, perhaps the following can
help distinguish the good from
the very best.
Pressure Sensitive Adhesives (PSA):
PSAs are common, but not by any
means are they all the same.
Unlike
3M's
PSAs, many are not as durable
and temperature-resistant. They
tend to develop distortion from
thermal cycling and have field
failures, such as adhesive
bubbling and blistering.
Water Activated Adhesives: Water
activated adhesives are used in
response to some of the PSA
clarity shortcomings. These
adhesives chemically bond to the
glass when activated by a
solution. While they improve
long-term visual quality, they,
too, fall short in performance.
First, this adhesive type is
essentially permanent, making it
very costly to remove. Second,
water activated adhesives do not
offer the shatter-resistant
benefits that PSAs do as they
often lack the shock absorption
qualities needed to resist glass
shattering.
Fortunately, there is an
adhesive that combines the best
performance traits of the above
two systems. An adhesive that
provides long-term visual
clarity, removability, and
shatter resistance is offered by
only one company –
3M.
