H.B. Fuller - Kömmerling

Solving ingress issues for good with Eternabond Microsealant technology

As a market leader in sealants for the RV industry, H.B. Fuller has developed its MicroSealant technology and is ready to launch its latest Eternabond Doublestick and Roofseal products in Europe to provide a superior level of bonding to help prevent the issues caused by water ingress

Words John Rawlings

The use of Butyl sealants is well established by manufacturers in the RV industry to bond surfaces and everyone knows from experience that water penetration in RVs, caravans and motorhomes can result in damage to a brand’s reputation, expensive warranty claims and disgruntled customers. The new H.B. Fuller Eternabond Doublestick and Roofseal products provide an even better solution by using the latest MicroSealant technology that’s also quick and easy to use during the production of a leisure vehicle.

Born in the USA

The MicroSealant adhesive technology in H.B. Fuller’s Eternabond Doublestick sealant was developed for the RV-Market in Elkhart, Indiana and introduced in the USA nearly three years. It has proved a great success and some customers have even claimed: “It’s the best product ever!”. It is now ready to be launched in Europe in early 2023. David Sorlin, RV Business Manager EIMEA, H.B. Fuller, who is responsible for introducing Doublestick in Europe said: “I have been to USA to visit our customers using Doublestick as a sealant between the side walls and roof of trailers and RVs, and their feedback has been really positive. I’ve talked to lots of caravan and motorhome manufacturers in Europe about Doublestick and there is already a lot of interest.”

Self-priming

The new MicroSealant technology used in Doublestick is self-priming and 350% stronger adhesive than Butyl sealants. “We say that the adhesion of Doublestick is so good we can sticky guarantee no leaks when it’s used to seal the joins and perforations on a roof of a caravan or motorhome,” said David Sorlin. The Eternabond Doublestick technology is different to existing butyl products as it comes as a roll of tape rather than a solvent and sticks to aluminium or GRP with immediate adhesion. That makes it suitable for different applications than H.B. Fuller’s existing butyl products.

“Doublestick has been developed to mainly use on roof joints during the

production process and is just as quick to apply as butyl sealant, while our similar Roofseal product is both suitable for manufacturing but also durable after sales repairs, such as around sky light fittings. This MicroSealant technology will last better than a butyl against the weather it will be exposed to during its life on a caravan or motorhome,” added David Sorlin.

Advanced adhesiveness

The Eternabond Doublestick and Roofseal products have been developed for different purposes.

• Double Stick is mainly used during the manufacturing process. As a butyl, even if the tack effect is very high, it is mainly recommended for sealing applications. The product remains soft and tacky without hardening which means that a mechanical fixing will have to be ensured. • Doublestick tapes are available in widths 15mm, 25mm and 50mm (on specific request up to 75mm). • Roofseal can be used during the process manufacturing to ensure perfect water tightness below aluminium or composites corners.

But it can also be used for repairs on roofs where there may be a problem with water infiltration. The liner on the top is extremely resistant to long-term UV exposure and withstands extreme temperatures, hot or cold without showing cracks or delamination.

Roofseal tapes are available in different widths from 50mm up to 150mm and in white, grey, aluminium or black colours.

With exceptional adhesiveness it is easy to apply just by applying some pressure to make it stick immediately.

European launch

The launch of the Eternabond Doublestick and Roofseal will be in Q1, 2023. “We will start to provide the European market with standard, those used by US customers, but depending on quantities we could study specific widths as well once the Eternabond will be officially launched in Europe,” said David Sorlin. “Leaks in caravans and motorhomes is always an issue that our customers want to prevent, so with our new Eternabond Doublestick and Roofseal, H.B. Fuller can solve this problem. The market wants a better products to solve this, and we now have a solution to offer them. Of course, it’s not a cheaper solution to the problem, but it will save the cost of repairs and warranty claims, and guarantee a better-quality product,” David continued.

100% Waterproof

Adhesion at a molecular level

David Sorlin david.sorlin@hbfuller.com