3M Scotch-Weld instant adhesive was recently responsible for a Guinness World Records-setting feat, lifting an 8.1-tonne (17,857 pounds, 2,990 PSI) forklift in the air for one hour.

This demonstration set a new world record for the heaviest weight lifted with glue. The vehicle was suspended from a crane by a steel cylinder only 7 cm in diameter, with the two parts of the cylinder secured together with 3M Scotch-Weld plastic and rubber instant adhesive PR100.

“3M has long been known for its expertise in adhesives,” said Brian Brady, global structural adhesives business manager for 3M industrial adhesives and tapes. “We’re excited that this demonstration proved just how strong and reliable 3M Scotch-Weld instant adhesives can be.”

The vehicle lift was conducted by engineers Jens Schoene and Dr Markus Schleser of RWTH Aachen University. Guinness World Records adjudicator Olaf Kuchenbecker was on hand to witness the lift and certify the new record. “The German team had to meet several formidable conditions to break the previous record of 8.01 tonnes, but the team succeeded primarily due to the exceptional performance of 3M Scotch-Weld instant adhesive,” a 3M spokesman said. 

The record-breaking 3M Scotch-Weld plastic and rubber instant adhesive PR100 is part of the full line of 3M Scotch-Weld instant adhesives, which are available globally in a number of formulations for bonding various substrates.

“This technology offers a practical, easy-to-use alternative to conventional attaching methods like bolts, welds, rivets and screws in many industrial applications requiring high-strength joints,” said Brady. 

“While the new world record shows the product’s incredible strength in an extreme application, 3M Scotch-Weld instant adhesives are also economical to use in everyday applications. Generally, only drops of adhesive are needed to develop strong bonds to many metals, plastics and rubber,” the spokesman said.

These super-fast curing adhesives reach handling strength with hundreds of material combinations in five to 10 seconds, and reach 80 per cent of their full strength in an hour. Additional qualities like low odour, high temperature resistance and flexibility to resist vibration make them simple and practical to use for almost unlimited applications.

3M Gulf has launched the full Scotch-weld product line that includes instant adhesives, thread lockers, pipe sealants, gasket makers and UV curing adhesives to name a few.