3M Empowers 5G Infrastructure Chain Clients: Stand Taller! Stand Steadier!
#BM Tape News or Information ·2025-11-05 16:50:22
According to the latest statistical data released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology at the end of January 2021, as of 2020, the total number of national mobile communication base stations reached 9.31 million,among which the total number of 4G base stations reached 5.75 million, while the number of newly built 5G base stations exceeded 600,000, the total number of activated 5G base stations exceeded 718,000,and 5G networks have covered all prefecture-level and above cities as well as key counties and cities in the country.
2G, 3G and 4G all use low-frequency band signal transmission,and macro base stations can almost handle all signal coverage. But since 5G operates in the medium and high frequency bands, the signal coverage range of macro base stations is very limited. the deployment density of 5G base stations will increase compared to 4G base stations.If 5G wants to achieve the same coverage level as 4G, the number of 5G base stations must be 3 times that of current 4G base stations. The "White Paper on 5G Industrial Development" also predicts that, by 2030, the number of 5G base stations in China will reach 15 million.
To meet the key performance requirements of 5G networks such as high power, high frequency band and high rate, 5G base stations and access networks have undergone great changes compared to 4G. In terms of antenna structure, it adopts Massive MIMO (Massive Multiple-Input Multiple-Output) technology, which can send and receive data simultaneously through a large number of array antennas, greatly improving network capacity and user experience.
More complex antenna structures require stronger structural support, and lighter antenna modules, mechanical fixation and riveting are gradually facing challenges in 5G infrastructure construction. Thermal bonding and mechanical fixation directly damage the surface of the substrate material to achieve the purpose of fixation, and the design will also be limited by the choice of substrate.
Tapes and adhesives can not only maintain the integrity of the original material to achieve the purpose of connection/bonding, but also improve design flexibility; Compared with adhesives, tapes are easier to operate, without waiting for the glue to dry before proceeding to the next process.
Application schematic of a domestic 5G antenna customer,
the red part is 3M™ VHB™ tape.
Let's look at how 3M's assembly solutions help 5G infrastructure chain clients stand steadier from 3 perspectives:：
Strength Verification
Can tapes or glues really replace welding or mechanical fixation?
This video can explain your doubts:
Construction Efficiency
Durability Proof
Some people have also raised questions about the durability and weather resistance of the tapes.
The following provides strong test evidence from a technical perspective to prove it:
3M uses outdoor exposure sites in Arizona, Florida and other places around the world to collect long-term performance data of the 3M™ VHB™ tape series.
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These tests show that after an aging cycle of 2 to 5 years in the humid and hot climate of Florida, the sunny and dry hot climate of Arizona, and the extreme cold and hot climate of Minnesota,3M™ VHB™ tape still maintains about 100% adhesion on aluminum, glass, PVC and coated metals.The stable performance of 3M™ VHB™ tapes 4950/4951 and 4952 after 5 years of outdoor aging in Minnesota is shown in the figure below. Similar results were also obtained from 5-year aging tests conducted on 3M™ VHB™ tapes in Japan.
Since 1980, 3M™ VHB™ tapes have been providing designers with unparalleled design features and application functions.When cooperating with 3M engineering experts, product designers know that they can trust this reliable solution. 3M™ VHB™ tapes have been tested and verified in laboratories and under real conditions, and can completely replace rivets, bolts, screws and welding. 3M™ VHB™ tapes have a wide range of applications and more than 30 years of successful experience. Since the 1980s, 3M has had experience in using 3M™ VHB™ tapes for reinforcing rib bonding and aluminum-plastic panel fixation in landmark buildings in many countries around the world, and they are still intact to this day.
In addition to 3M™ VHB™, domestic and foreign enterprises in the 5G infrastructure chain that pursue performance and efficiency,also choose 3M's durable labels, structural adhesives, and thin double-sided tapes:
3690E+ Durable Label
3690E+ is a bright white Vinyl label that can withstand harsh environments including ultraviolet rays, extreme temperatures and solvents, with good moisture and weather resistance. Its thin thickness and flexibility allow it to conform to small-diameter curved surfaces and complex curved surfaces; it can withstand 5 years of outdoor use under certain conditions.
The face material thickness is 51um, and the temperature resistance range is -60℃~150℃; The adhesive system is 320 high-toughness acrylic adhesive, which can firmly adhere to various high and low surface energy substrates;
It has obtained UL certification (File MH11410) and CSA certification (File 099316).
This product also has a silver version (product grade: 3698E+) available to meet your requirements for label appearance.
3M™ Scotch-Weld™ DP190 Structural Adhesive.
Many communication filters, 5G communication connectors, line equipment and others use DP190 for precision potting.
3M™ Scotch-Weld™ DP190 gray epoxy adhesive is a gray epoxy adhesive with a 1:1 volume ratio, which has good peel strength, shear strength and environmental aging resistance. The large packaging product is 3M™ Scotch-Weld™ 2216 B/A epoxy adhesive.
Product Features:
90 minutes working time.
High shear strength and peel strength.
Flexible.
1:1 mixing ratio.
Gray.
Complies with UL 94 HB requirements.
F9469PC Transfer Adhesive Film.
The representative application is bonding PCBA inside 5G RF devices to metal panels, replacing screws.
F9469PC transfer adhesive film has good initial tack, a thickness of 0.125mm, long-term temperature resistance of 149℃, and short-term temperature resistance of 260℃, suitable for bonding metal materials, with extremely high peel strength. It is a transparent pure adhesive film double-sided tape, belonging to the 100MP adhesive system, and is part of the 3M™ VHB™ tape series, with excellent stability and high bonding performance.