Welcome to Austen Instant Tapes Ltd

Authorised Distributors for 3M Industrial Products, tesa® Industry Partners, and Advance Tapes Int. distributors, amongst many others.

There are less than 10 other companies in the UK with similar specialist supplier approvals.

Austen Tapes staff with distributor logos

High-Performance Tapes

Discover our range of high-performance tapes for specialized environments.

Customised printed tapes from Austen Tapes Direct
Customised printed tapes
3M VHB Tapes promotional image
3M VHB Tapes
Eco-friendly packaging tapes from Austen Tapes Direct
Eco-friendly packaging
tesa ACX tape range by Austen Direct
tesa® acx range
Vehicle Body Building Solutions by Austen Tapes Direct
vehicle bodybuilding
Traditional Fasteners vs Adhesives comparison

Video of us Testing it out on a Luton Van

Rivets vs tesa ACXplus pull-off test 60 degrees.
Play

Pull Test Rivets

Localized Stress Points: Rivets concentrate force at individual points, potentially leading to material fatigue or failure under high loads. Inconsistent Load Distribution: Unlike adhesives, rivets don’t evenly distribute stress across the entire joint area. Vulnerability to Vibration: Constant vibration in vehicles can cause rivets to loosen over time, compromising joint integrity.

Corrosion Susceptibility: Rivet holes can become entry points for moisture, leading to corrosion and weakening the overall structure. Material Limitations: Rivets may not provide optimal strength for joining certain material combinations, especially dissimilar metals or composites. Potential for Cracking: The installation process of rivets can create micro-cracks in surrounding material, potentially weakening the joint.

Limited Flexibility: Rigid rivet connections may not accommodate thermal expansion or contraction as well as flexible adhesive bonds. Fatigue Vulnerability: Repeated stress cycles can cause fatigue failure around rivet points more easily than with distributed adhesive bonds.

Vibration Vulnerability

Vibration-induced loosening can lead to rattling, reduced performance, and even catastrophic failure if critical components become detached.

Fasteners can loosen over time due to constant vibrations, compromising structural integrity.

This is particularly problematic in applications subject to continuous movement or oscillation, such as vehicles or machinery.

In high-vibration environments, fasteners may require frequent retightening or the use of specialized locking mechanisms, increasing maintenance costs and complexity.

Vibration-induced loosening can lead to rattling, reduced performance, and even catastrophic failure if critical components become detached. more..

Stress Concentration

To mitigate this issue, engineers often need to overdesign parts or use additional reinforcement, adding weight and complexity to the assembly.

Fasteners create stress points in materials, which can lead to fatigue and eventual failure.

These concentrated stress areas are often the initiation points for cracks or fractures in the material.

The stress concentration effect is particularly pronounced in thin materials or those subject to cyclic loading.

To mitigate this issue, engineers often need to overdesign parts or use additional reinforcement, adding weight and complexity to the assembly.

Weight Penalties

The use of lightweight fasteners (e.g., titanium) can mitigate this issue but significantly increases costs.

The cumulative weight of numerous fasteners can be significant, particularly in industries like aerospace where weight is critical.

This added weight can impact fuel efficiency, payload capacity, and overall performance of the final product.

In transportation applications, every gram of weight translates to increased fuel consumption over the life of the vehicle. more..

Temperature Sensitivity

In aerospace or automotive applications, where temperatures can vary dramatically, this sensitivity can lead to reduced reliability and increased maintenance requirements.

Extreme temperature fluctuations can cause materials to expand and contract, potentially leading to fastener failure.

This thermal cycling can create gaps, loosen connections, or even cause fasteners to shear under extreme conditions.

Different thermal expansion rates between fasteners and joined materials can lead to stress buildup, potentially warping or damaging the assembly. more…

Corrosion Susceptibility

Corrosion protection methods like plating or coatings add cost and can be damaged during installation, reducing their effectiveness.

Metal fasteners are prone to corrosion, especially in harsh environments or when different metals are in contact.

Corrosion can weaken the fastener, leading to premature failure and potentially contaminating the surrounding materials.

Galvanic corrosion, occurring between dissimilar metals, can be particularly aggressive and difficult to predict or prevent.

Corrosion protection methods like plating or coatings add cost and can be damaged during installation, reducing their effectiveness. more..

Maintenance Requirements

In hard-to-reach areas, maintenance of fasteners can be particularly challenging and time-consuming.

Fasteners often need regular inspection and re-tightening, adding to long-term maintenance costs.

This ongoing maintenance increases the total cost of ownership and can lead to downtime in critical systems.

Fastener replacement during maintenance can damage threads or holes, potentially requiring more extensive repairs. more…

Material Limitations

Some materials, like certain plastics or ceramics, may be too brittle or soft to be reliably fastened using traditional methods.

Traditional fasteners may not be suitable for joining certain materials, especially dissimilar ones.

This limitation can restrict design options and force compromises in material selection for optimal performance.

Fastening methods for composite materials often require special considerations to avoid delamination or fiber damage.

Aesthetic Drawbacks

The need to accommodate fastener heads in the design can limit the sleekness and modernity of product aesthetics.

Visible fasteners can detract from the appearance of the final product, necessitating additional finishing work.

In consumer products or architectural applications, visible fasteners may be seen as outdated or less premium.

Hiding fasteners often requires additional design elements like caps or covers, adding to part count and assembly complexity.

The need to accommodate fastener heads in the design can limit the sleekness and modernity of product aesthetics. more...

Pull Test ACXplus

Superior Pull Strength: As demonstrated in the pull test, tesa® ACXplus 7811 outperforms traditional rivets in resisting pulling forces. Uniform Load Distribution: Adhesive spreads force across the entire bonded area, reducing stress concentrations. Vibration Resistance: The viscoelastic properties of acrylic foam tape absorb and dampen vibrations, maintaining bond strength over time.

Multi-directional Strength: Provides excellent resistance to shear, peel, and tensile loads in various directions. Flexibility: Accommodates thermal expansion and contraction of materials without compromising bond strength. Corrosion Prevention: Creates a barrier against moisture ingress, protecting the bonded materials from corrosion.

Fatigue Resistance: Distributes stress evenly, reducing the risk of fatigue failure common in point-fastened joints. Material Versatility: Effectively bonds dissimilar materials without the limitations faced by mechanical fasteners.

Vibration Damping

In precision equipment, vibration damping through adhesives can improve accuracy and reduce the need for additional isolation systems.

Many adhesives can absorb and dampen vibrations, enhancing the longevity and performance of the assembly.

This damping effect can improve user comfort in applications like automotive interiors and reduce noise in electronic devices.

Vibration damping properties of adhesives can extend the lifespan of sensitive components by reducing stress and fatigue.

In precision equipment, vibration damping through adhesives can improve accuracy and reduce the need for additional isolation systems. more..

Uniform Stress Distribution

In composite materials, adhesives can maintain the integrity of fibers and prevent delamination more effectively than mechanical fasteners.

Adhesives distribute stress evenly across the bonded surface, reducing the risk of localized failures.

This even distribution allows for better load bearing and can often result in a stronger overall bond than point-fastening methods.

The uniform stress distribution can lead to improved fatigue resistance, particularly in applications subject to cyclic loading.

In composite materials, adhesives can maintain the integrity of fibers and prevent delamination more effectively than mechanical fasteners.

Weight Reduction

Lighter assemblies can also contribute to improved handling and reduced wear in moving parts of machinery or vehicles.

Adhesives add minimal weight to the assembly, crucial in industries like automotive and aerospace.

The weight savings can translate directly into improved fuel efficiency, increased payload capacity, or enhanced performance.

In marine applications, even small weight reductions can lead to significant fuel savings over the lifetime of an aircraft. more..

Temperature-Related Benefits of Adhesives

  1. Thermal Insulation: Many adhesives act as insulators, protecting the bonded materials.
  2. Stress Distribution: Even distribution of thermal stresses across the bond line.
  3. Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE) Management: Some adhesives can bridge CTE mismatches between different materials.
  4. Chemical Resistance: High-temperature adhesives often offer excellent chemical resistance as well.

Temperature Performance Across Industries

  1. Standard Steel Bolts: -20°C to 150°C
  2. High-Temp Alloy Fasteners: -40°C to 250°C
  3. Epoxy Adhesives: -40°C to 180°C
  4. Silicone Adhesives: -65°C to 300°C] more..

Superior Corrosion Resistance in Joining Applications

Long-Term Cost-Effectiveness: Reduced maintenance needs and extended longevity of adhesive bonds provide superior long-term corrosion protection.

Inherent Corrosion Resistance: Many adhesives are chemically inert, preventing reaction with corrosive elements and eliminating galvanic corrosion risks.

Protective Barrier Formation: Adhesives create a continuous, sealed bond that shields joined materials from moisture and corrosive agents.

Material Integrity Preservation: Unlike fasteners, adhesives don’t require holes in materials, maintaining protective coatings and natural corrosion resistance.

Specialized Formulations: Corrosion-inhibiting additives and environment-specific adhesives offer tailored protection for harsh conditions. more..

Superior Sealing Properties

The seamless nature of adhesive bonds can improve aerodynamics in transportation applications, potentially enhancing fuel efficiency.

Adhesives create a continuous bond, effectively sealing against moisture, dust, and other contaminants.

This sealing ability can enhance product durability, prevent corrosion, and maintain the integrity of sensitive components.

In electronics or automotive applications, adhesive seals can provide excellent protection against environmental factors like humidity and pollutants.

The seamless nature of adhesive bonds can improve aerodynamics in transportation applications, potentially enhancing fuel efficiency.

Enhanced Durability

In harsh environments, such as marine or chemical processing applications, specialized adhesives can outperform mechanical fasteners in longevity and reliability.

High-performance adhesives can provide bonds that are as strong or stronger than traditional fasteners, with improved resistance to environmental factors.

Many modern adhesives offer excellent resistance to chemicals, UV light, and extreme temperatures, often outlasting the materials they’re bonding.

The flexible nature of many adhesives allows them to absorb shock and movement, potentially increasing the overall lifespan of the assembly.

Multi-Material Bonding

The ability to bond dissimilar materials allows for optimal material selection for each component, potentially improving overall product performance.

Modern adhesives can effectively join dissimilar materials that would be challenging to fasten mechanically.

This capability opens up new possibilities in product design and material selection, driving innovation across industries.

In electronics, adhesives can bond metals to plastics or ceramics, enabling more compact and versatile designs.

Improved Aesthetics

In industries like furniture or interior design, adhesive bonds allow for sleek, modern aesthetics that align with contemporary design trends.

Adhesives create invisible joints, resulting in a cleaner, more professional appearance.

This seamless look is particularly valuable in consumer products, architectural applications, and high-end goods.

The absence of visible fasteners can enhance the perceived quality and value of products, potentially commanding higher market prices.

In industries like furniture or interior design, adhesive bonds allow for sleek, modern aesthetics that align with contemporary design trends. more…

Customised printed tapes from Austen Tapes Direct
Customised printed tapes
tesa ACX tape range by Austen Direct
tesa acx range
Vehicle Body Building Solutions by Austen Tapes Direct
Vehicle Bodybuilding
Eco-friendly packaging tapes from Austen Tapes Direct
Eco-friendly packaging
3M VHB Tapes promotional image
3M VHB Tapes
3M Structural Adhesives from Austen Tapes Direct
3M Structural Adhesives

Why choose Austen Tapes?

Cutting-edge adhesive technologies


✓ 3M VHB Tapes for permanent, invisible bonds
✓ tesa® ACXplus for high-performance applications
✓ Eco-friendly packaging tapes for sustainable operations
✓ Continuous innovation to meet evolving industry needs

 Expert guidance


✓ One of fewer than 10 UK companies with our level of specialist supplier approvals
✓ Decades of experience in industrial adhesive solutions and vehicle body building
✓ Commitment to long-term partnerships with our clients
✓ Continuous innovation to meet evolving industry needs

3M logo
velcro logo
Industrial Adhesive Tapes
High Temperature Tapes
advance brand logo
scapa brand logo

Dedicated Professionals Ready to Assist You

Neil Howie

Managing Director
Manages finances, IT, safety, and quality controls

Joe Dimarino

Operations Director
Oversees internal operations and customer service

Mark Knee

Sales Director
Leads technical team and product testing

Trusted Experts in High-Performance Tapes

Call To Discuss Your Requirements

01892 832141

Latest Products

  • recycled-pet-packaging-tapetesa® 60418 Recycled PET Packaging Tape

    tesa 60418 Post Consumer Recycled PET Filmic Packaging Tape 50mm x 132m Buff

    £2.35
    Details
  • tesa® ACXplus 7811 19mm x 66m x 1.00mm Thickness

    tesa® ACXplus 7805 1260mm x 66m x 0.50mm Thickness

    £1,788.93
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  • Rolls of red, yellow, white strapping tape.

    tesa® 4965 Double Sided High Temp UV Resistant Tape – 100mm x 50m Roll

    £86.77
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  • Black adhesive tape roll unwinding7815 Black Line tesa® ACXplus Black Line 1500µm tesa-automotive-ACXplus-Black-706x-300dpi

    tesa® ACXplus Black Line 7815 19mm x 66m x 1.5mm Thickness

    £81.25
    Details
  • tesa® ACXplus 7811 19mm x 66m x 1.00mm Thicknesstesa® ACXplus adhesive tapes offer fast and strong attachment solutions for vehicle kick plates and tread plates

    tesa® ACXplus 7811 19mm x 66m x 1.00mm Thickness

    £79.50
    Details
  • Rolls of masking tape and paper

    tesa® 4432 Sandblasting Masking Tape – 50mm x 50m Roll

    £22.69
    Details

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