Currently available acrylate and silicone adhesives typically require device engineers to choose between strength and wear duration, or comfort and pliability. A new generation of silicone adhesives developed by 3M and introduced today is designed to to fill this gap. The 2480 3M Single-Coated Medical Nonwoven Tape with Hi-Tack Silicone Adhesive on Liner features longer wear times, supports heavier devices, and offers more secure adhesion than conventional materials while providing all the traditional benefits of 3M’s base silicone adhesive portfolio. It is the first offering in 3M’s new Hi-Tack Silicone Adhesive Tapes line.

“Medical devices are essential, and engineers need confidence their adhesive is strong enough to secure a heavier device for longer duration without causing trauma to the patient’s skin upon removal,” said Marcello Napol, Vice President of 3M Medical Device Solutions. “We leveraged 3M’s 55-plus years of skin adhesive know-how to push the envelope of silicone adhesives and create a new product that bridges this gap. The 2480 3M Hi-Tack Silicone Adhesive is the first of its kind to offer the re-positionable, gentle properties of silicone and achieve up to a four-day wear time, supporting heavier, more complex devices.” 

In addition to being re-positionable, the new adhesive is sufficiently flexible and conformable to accomodate continuous glucose monitoring systems, wearable monitors, and sleep and incontinence devices, among other medical products. It is strongly bonded to the backing to minimize residue on both skin and production equipment, said 3M, and is compatible with ethylene oxide sterilization. 

Additional silicone adhesives for the new portfolio will be introduced in 2021, said 3M.