VELCRO® Brand ALFA-LOK® Self-Engaging Fastener Tape
Shop genuine VELCRO® Brand ALFA-LOK® 25 mm self-engaging adhesive fastener tape for removable panels, signs, displays, equipment and other suitable mounting applications. Identical mushroom-shaped fastening faces press together with an audible snap, so separate hook and loop components are not required.
Choose PS-5310 for high-surface-energy materials, PS-5345 for general-purpose bonding or PS-6411 for low-surface-energy plastics and coatings. Available in 1 m, 2 m, 5 m and 25 m lengths.
Genuine VELCRO® Brand ALFA-LOK® Fastener Tape
VELCRO® Brand ALFA-LOK® is a strong, reclosable fastening system designed for mounting panels, signs, displays, equipment and other suitable components. Instead of a conventional hook side and soft loop side, ALFA-LOK® uses identical mushroom-shaped fastening faces that engage with each other.
Pressing two pieces firmly together interlocks the mushroom-shaped elements and produces a noticeable snap. The non-directional construction means that the pieces do not have to be aligned in one particular orientation before engagement.
The tape is 25 mm wide and is supplied with a pressure-sensitive acrylic adhesive backing. The range includes PS-5310, PS-5345 and PS-6411 versions for different surface types. Selecting the correct adhesive is essential: the strongest-looking tape will still perform poorly if its adhesive is unsuitable for the substrate.
For conventional adhesive-backed hook and loop tape, visit our VELCRO® Brand self-adhesive tape department. You can also browse the complete VELCRO® Brand product range.
Compare ALFA-LOK® PS-5310, PS-5345 and PS-6411
| Fastener | Adhesive category | Typical compatible materials | Best used when |
|---|---|---|---|
| PS-5310 | High surface energy | Glass, metals and suitable treated plastics | A strong bond is required on clean, stable high-surface-energy materials |
| PS-5345 | General purpose | Glass, metals and several compatible plastics | A versatile adhesive is required for common high- and medium-surface-energy materials |
| PS-6411 | Low surface energy | Glass, metals, plastics, ceramics and compatible powder-coated surfaces | Bonding to more difficult plastics or coatings, including suitable polyethylene and polypropylene |
This comparison is a selection guide rather than a guarantee of adhesion. Surface coatings, plastic formulations, contamination, texture, flexibility, temperature and load direction can all affect the final bond. Test the complete fastener on the actual production surface before committing to a large installation.
ALFA-LOK® PS-5310 – High-Surface-Energy Adhesive
VELCRO® Brand ALFA-LOK® PS-5310 is intended primarily for high-surface-energy materials such as glass, metal and compatible treated plastics.
The acrylic adhesive layer is transparent, but the ALFA-LOK® fastening material itself is black. It should therefore not be described as completely transparent or invisible once installed.
ALFA-LOK® PS-5345 – General-Purpose Adhesive
VELCRO® Brand ALFA-LOK® PS-5345 is the general-purpose option for high- and medium-surface-energy materials. Typical examples include glass, metals and several compatible rigid plastics.
Choose PS-5345 when the substrate does not require the specialist low-surface-energy adhesive used on PS-6411. “General purpose” does not mean universal, so the precise plastic, coating and operating environment must still be checked.
ALFA-LOK® PS-6411 – Low-Surface-Energy Adhesive
VELCRO® Brand ALFA-LOK® PS-6411 uses a very-high-tack adhesive developed for a broader range of high-, medium- and low-surface-energy materials.
This is normally the most appropriate version to test on difficult plastics such as suitable polyethylene and polypropylene, as well as compatible powder coatings, ceramics, metals and glass. Low surface energy is only one factor: contamination, mould-release agents, texture and movement can still prevent a reliable bond.
What Does Surface Energy Mean?
Surface energy affects how readily an adhesive spreads across and bonds to a material. Glass and clean metal commonly have relatively high surface energy. Plastics such as polyethylene and polypropylene typically have lower surface energy and can be more difficult to bond.
The visible material name is not always enough to choose the adhesive. Painted, laminated, anodised, powder-coated or chemically treated surfaces may behave differently from the untreated base material. Where the precise finish is unknown, obtain a sample and perform an application test.
How Much Tape Is Required?
ALFA-LOK® is sold as a single self-engaging component. A mounting installation normally requires one piece on each of the two mating surfaces.
This means that one metre of tape creates a maximum of approximately 500 mm of continuously mated fastening when divided into two equal lengths. Several shorter matched sections can also be used where appropriate.
- 1 m purchased: up to approximately 500 mm of matched fastening
- 2 m purchased: up to approximately 1 m of matched fastening
- 5 m purchased: up to approximately 2.5 m of matched fastening
- 25 m purchased: up to approximately 12.5 m of matched fastening
These figures assume equal lengths are fitted to both surfaces. Allow extra tape for cutting, testing and installation tolerances.
Common ALFA-LOK® Applications
- Removable decorative and access panels
- Point-of-sale signs and retail displays
- Exhibition stands and temporary display structures
- LED panels and compatible lighting equipment
- Interior vehicle and transport components
- Equipment covers and inspection panels
- Accessories fitted to aluminium profiles
- Suitable cameras, sensors and electronic devices
- Marine, campervan and workshop accessories
- Industrial assembly and maintenance applications
These are application examples rather than universal approvals. The selected adhesive, fastening area, surface preparation, load, vibration, temperature and environment must be suitable for the complete installation.
How to Apply ALFA-LOK® Fastener Tape
- Identify both mounting surfaces and choose the correct PS adhesive version.
- Test the product on the actual materials before completing the full installation.
- Ensure that the surfaces are stable, clean, dry and free from dust, grease, silicone, oil and loose material.
- Cut two matching pieces of ALFA-LOK® tape to the required length.
- Remove the release liner without unnecessarily touching the exposed adhesive.
- Position each piece carefully and apply firm, even pressure across the complete adhesive area.
- Allow the adhesive to develop its bond for the period specified for the selected PS version.
- Align the two mushroom-shaped faces and press them together firmly until they engage.
- Test the installation gradually before placing it under its normal working load.
Pressure-sensitive adhesive requires close contact with the substrate. Applying tape lightly or only pressing the edges can leave air gaps and substantially reduce the available bonding area.
Opening and Refastening ALFA-LOK®
To disengage the fastener, begin at one edge and progressively separate the two ALFA-LOK® faces. Do not pull the complete mounted component directly away from the surface, as this places unnecessary stress on the adhesive bond.
The fastening faces can be opened and re-engaged, but the product is intended for relatively secure, semi-permanent mounting rather than constant rapid opening. Confirm that its cycling performance suits the intended application.
Once the adhesive-backed tape has been removed from a substrate, it should not automatically be treated as repositionable. Removal can contaminate, stretch or damage the adhesive and may also mark the underlying surface.
Temperature, Moisture and Outdoor Installation
ALFA-LOK® systems are used for both indoor and outdoor applications, but outdoor suitability must be assessed for the exact adhesive, substrate and exposure. Moisture resistance does not mean that the product is suitable for continuous immersion.
The polypropylene mushroom elements are not intended for unrestricted direct ultraviolet exposure without application testing. Do not describe every ALFA-LOK® installation as permanently UV-proof or weatherproof merely because one adhesive component has outdoor resistance.
Application temperature and operating temperature are also different. A product may tolerate a wider temperature range after bonding than it can during initial installation. Follow the technical information for the selected PS-5310, PS-5345 or PS-6411 version.
Important Safety Information
Do not calculate a safe weight rating by converting laboratory tensile or shear figures directly into kilograms. Published test values describe controlled material performance and are not a universal working load for a finished installation.
Do not use ALFA-LOK® as the sole fixing for lifting, fall protection, climbing, vehicle load restraint or any installation where unexpected release could cause injury or serious damage. Valuable, fragile or overhead objects may require an independent mechanical safety fixing.
“Heavy duty” does not mean that the product can replace screws, bolts or other structural fixings in every application. The adhesive bond, fastener engagement, mounted component and supporting surface must all be suitable.
ALFA-LOK®, Hook and Loop Tape or ONE-WRAP®?
- Choose ALFA-LOK® for strong, self-engaging mushroom-head mounting between two compatible solid surfaces.
- Choose self-adhesive hook and loop tape when a conventional hook-and-loop closure with a softer loop component is preferred.
- Choose ONE-WRAP® tape or cable ties for wrapping around cables and bundles without bonding adhesive to a surface.
- Choose a mechanical fixing for structural, safety-critical or permanently load-bearing installations.
Browse VELCRO® Brand self-adhesive hook and loop tape or VELCRO® Brand ONE-WRAP® reusable tape and cable ties for alternative fastening methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does ALFA-LOK® have separate hook and loop sides?
No. It uses identical mushroom-shaped fastening faces that engage with each other. Two pieces of the same ALFA-LOK® tape are fitted to the mating surfaces.
Will one metre create one metre of fastening?
Not when both mounting surfaces need to be fitted. One metre of tape can be divided into two 500 mm pieces, producing approximately 500 mm of continuously matched fastening.
Which ALFA-LOK® adhesive should I choose?
Use PS-5310 for suitable high-surface-energy materials, PS-5345 as the general-purpose high- and medium-surface-energy option, and PS-6411 when a low-surface-energy adhesive is required. Always test the actual surface.
Which version is suitable for polyethylene or polypropylene?
PS-6411 is the version intended for low-surface-energy materials and is normally the correct option to test on suitable polyethylene and polypropylene surfaces.
Can ALFA-LOK® tape be cut?
Yes. It can be cut into matched strips or smaller fastening points. Use suitable cutting equipment and allow for two equal mating pieces.
Is the fastening tape transparent?
No. The PS-5310 adhesive layer is transparent, but the ALFA-LOK® mushroom-head fastening material sold in this range is black.
Can ALFA-LOK® be used outdoors?
It is used in outdoor applications, but suitability depends on the selected adhesive, substrate, direct UV exposure, moisture, temperature and installation design. Test the complete application before use.
How much weight will ALFA-LOK® hold?
There is no safe department-wide weight rating. Capacity depends on the tape area, adhesive version, substrate, load direction, preparation, temperature, vibration and installation geometry.
Can the adhesive tape be repositioned?
The mushroom-head closure can be opened and re-engaged, but the pressure-sensitive adhesive is not automatically reusable after being removed from its mounting surface.
How long should I wait before loading the installation?
Follow the instructions for the exact PS adhesive. Initial tack is not the same as the fully developed adhesive bond, so the installation should not be loaded immediately unless the applicable specification allows it.
VELCRO® and ALFA-LOK® are registered trademarks of Velcro IP Holdings LLC. Used with permission.