Q-Bond Tape
Q-Bond tape
Joining sails with the Q-Bond Method is a fast lamination process resulting in very strong, very flexible and long-lived joints.
The pressure in the joining or lamination is approximately 10 atmospheres with the Mobile Activation Unit MAM1 and MAM2. In most cases the resulting joint is stronger than the used sailfabric itself. The strength is 2 to 5 times stronger than a sewn joint. Read more in the test report from the Royal Technical University in Stockholm.
The Q-Bond Tape is one of three parts in the Q-Bond Method to join sails. The other two parts are the Q-Edge Tape and the ultrasonic activation unit. The Q-Bond Tape is not a real tape, as it not contains a carrier. It is called a tape as this name describes the way the adhesive is applied and evenly distributed in the joint. With the ultrasonic activation unit the adhesive is heated with ultrasonic energy to improve the adhesion properties. While the adhesive is warm and very liquid, it is pressed with high pressure into the microscopic cavities in the surface of the sail fabric. After the activation the adhesive in the joint is approximately 0,10 to 0,15mm thick.
The Q-Edge Tape is a thin Mylar film sealing the joint. With a sealed joint no water penetrates the laminate by capillary impregnation of the reinforcing fibers in the sail. With water in the fibers you can get unpleasant surprises like delaminating of a sail panel caused by vapor or ice depending on the climate you are using the sail in. From a production point the sail maker benefit from reduced cleaning of the sail and of the used equipment as no glue residues will be pressed out during the activation.
When you open a new bag of tape unroll one layer of release liner to get the adhesive on the outer side of the tape roll.
Since March 2003 all Q-Bond Tapes are produced at the German Dimension-Polyant factory.
Technical Specifications
Technical Specification
The adhesive in the Q-Bond Tape is curing with water. Each tape roll must be sprayed with a water mist on each side before using. Use the water spray bottle delivered with the activation unit. The curing time is 3 days in 20degress C. Keep the sail flat or rolled in loose large diameter rolls during the curing time. Do not use the sail until curing is ready.
The Q-Bond Tape is delivered in vacuum bagged rolls and applied like a traditional seam stick tape to join panels, reinforcements and sections. The Q-Bond Tapes are delivered in multiples of 10 rolls in each box, and with 30 meter in each roll.
The tape exists in three styles:
QBT 8 020: a 8mm wide, 0,20mm thick tape becoming approx 0,10 mm thick and 10 to 12mm wide after activation.
QBT 9 020: a 9mm wide, 0,20mm thick tape becoming approx 0,10 mm thick and 12 to 14mm wide after activation.
QBT 9 025 a 9mm wide, 0,25mm thick tape becoming approx 0,10 mm thick and 14 to 16mm wide after activation.
QBT 20 014 a 20mm wide, 0,14mm thick tape becoming approx 0,10 mm thick and 20 to 22mm wide after activation.
QBT 20 022 a 9mm wide, 0,20mm thick tape becoming approx 0,15 mm thick and 20 to 22mm wide after activation.
