In the architectural design of modern buildings, precision is crucial—every component contributes to sleek aesthetics, structural stability, and energy efficiency. Spacer tapes offer an unmatched combination of bonding strength, installation simplicity, aesthetic adaptability, and weather resistance, making them a vital solution for constructing durable, sustainable building structures.
In structural glazing, glass panels serve as the primary exterior surface of the building. Spacer tapes provide a compelling alternative to traditional structural glazing techniques, which often involve mechanical fasteners that can puncture the glass and lead to issues such as leakage.
Thermalbond® Spacer Tapes enhance the engineering of structural glazing by creating a strong bond between glass panels and substrates such as composite materials, metal, or aluminum. Their robust bonding capabilities not only ensure structural integrity but also provide protection against wind, thermal stress, and environmental conditions.
What is Thermalbond for Structural Glazing
Introduced in 1979, Thermalbond is a two-sided spacer tape specifically designed for structural glazing applications. These tapes maintain consistent spacing between the glazing panel and the building’s structure. Made from open-cell polyurethane foam with a pressure-sensitive acrylic adhesive, Thermalbond Spacer Tape is available in both double-coated and single-coated versions. It is compatible with all major structural silicone sealants and features excellent load-bearing capacity in both compression and shear, making it highly effective for securing glass façade constructions.
Thermalbond Spacer Tapes are used in some of the world’s most iconic skyscrapers, including the Freedom Tower in New York, NATO headquarters in Brussels, and the Burj Al Arab in Dubai, showcasing their reliability in high-performance curtain wall systems.
Why is Thermalbond Open-Cell Foam Technology a Key Advantage Over Closed-Cell Foam Alternatives?
Thermalbond’s open-cell polyurethane foam core offers superior long-term resistance to environmental stresses and loading compared to closed-cell PVC foam spacer tapes, contributing to the durability and longevity of structural silicone glazed systems.
This advantage is primarily due to the difference in water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), or moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR), which measures the permeability of moisture vapor through foam materials. The minimum WVTR required for proper silicone curing is 1 g/hr•m². Thermalbond spacer tapes achieve double the minimum required WVTR, while closed-cell foam tapes fail to meet this threshold. Closed-cell foams restrict the necessary moisture needed for the silicone to cure fully, which can result in incomplete curing and potential movement of the glass after or even before installation.
What are Thermalbond V2100 and V2200 Series?
The V2100 and V2200 series are industry-standard spacer tapes, available in black or grey. The grey variant features a light grey foam core with UV-resistant grey-pigmented adhesive. Both series consist of high-strength polyurethane foam, offering low thermal conductivity to reduce heat transfer, superior resistance to oxidation and environmental factors, and condensation inhibition. Various thickness options (1/8″ to 1/2″ or 3.2 mm to 12.7 mm) and custom widths ensure versatility for different applications.
- V2100 is designed for field glazing and suits two-sided and four-sided systems. It is especially suitable for applications involving heavier glass units due to its excellent load-bearing capabilities in compression and shear.
- V2200 is intended for shop fabrication only, with a reduced static load-bearing capacity.
What is Thermalbond Xpress?
Thermalbond Xpress is designed for greater flexibility and rapid design changes. While it shares the same foam core chemistry as V2100 and V2200, it features adhesive on only one side, enabling an aggressive bond upon contact. This eliminates the need for aluminum channel raceways often required with silicone-compatible rubber gaskets.
The absence of a liner simplifies installation and reduces waste associated with liner disposal. Additionally, the low-friction coating of Xpress helps eliminate air pockets and ensures a uniform visual appearance behind the glass.
Bringing Architectural Designs to Life
Thermalbond tapes play a crucial role in numerous silicone structural glazing applications worldwide. Their reliable performance, secure adhesion, and resilience to diverse environmental conditions make Thermalbond the preferred choice for architects and façade designers aiming to realize their architectural visions.
Contact our team to determine the ideal product for your specific application requirements.
