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Mushroom heads give strong re-usable grip
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19/06/2008
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Plastic strips equipped with hemispherical-headed ‘mushrooms’ provide a particularly strong reversible bond when pressed together.
Made by the German company, IMS Verbindungstechnik in Neuenstein, the products are identified by them as “Duotec” straps, clips and turnable cable holders.
Unlike products of the ‘Velcro’ type, the fastening elements are arranged in rows and are identical on both surfaces. Pressing them together leads to an inherent locking action as the mushroom heads are pushed past each other, and each head contributes equally. The mushrooms are mounted at a slight angle to the vertical and alternate mushrooms are inclined in opposite directions. Detailed examination shows that the construction is quite sophisticated with a base grid made of polyamide coated with polyurethane and mushroom elements made of polypropylene. Despite the strong attachment action, surfaces can be pushed together and pulled apart a large number of times before the mushrooms start to wear.
The basic material is supplied as stick-on strip in either as 30mm or 100mm long sections or on 25m long reels. Width in all cases is 25mm. For bonding onto polypropylene or polyethylene surfaces, the surfaces need to be primed for the adhesive to work properly.
The same company also makes a “Microplast Strap” which works on an entirely different mechanical principle and is designed to attach to the back of itself, allowing it to be used for re-usable hose and cable ties. It is also made of polyamide and polypropylene and comes in 100mm or 200mm long strips or 10m long lengths on reels. Width is 16mm. Working temperature range is –30 to +90 deg C, making it suitable for use in the automotive sector.
IMS Verbindungstechnik
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Author
Tom Shelley
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