Lightweighting Solutions for Exterior and Glass

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Your Partner in Automotive Lightweighting

Taking weight out of the vehicle is a big challenge. It’s also a big part of our scientific curiosity as we develop new automotive lightweighting solutions. Take a look at what we’ve delivered so far. If you don’t see your solution here, let’s talk.

Acoustic Absorbers

Our 3M™ Thinsulate™ Acoustic Insulation is available in a broad range of options for acoustic absorption in various weights and thicknesses. It features a polypropylene/polyethylene terephthalate (PP/PET) web that combines acoustic absorption with excellent compressibility and recovery, which is great for cavity filling and acoustic insulation. It can be attached using methods including ultrasonic welding and double-sided tape as alternatives to mechanical clips. This hydrophobic material can be processed with sealed edges, making it uniquely suited for exterior applications such as wheel arch liners where resistance to water and other contaminants is critical.

3M™ Thinsulate™ Acoustic Insulation TC1803
Ideal for filling irregular spaces, TC1803 features great compressibility and recovery. It has an overall thickness of 21 mm and a basis weight of 185 g/m². A durable, 100% PP scrim reinforces the web on both sides. It is among our lightest-weight acoustic absorption solutions and has one of the highest acoustic-absorption-to-weight ratios of any Thinsulate™ product.

3M™ Thinsulate™ Acoustic Insulation SM600L
3M™ Thinsulate™ Acoustic Insulation SM600LThis acoustic filler is excellent for wheel wells, and it may be evaluated for many other variable cavity applications. It has a caliper of 42 mm and a basis weight of 642 g/m². Fibers are contained in a single black scrim.

3M™ Thinsulate™ Acoustic Insulation TAI2099
Great for narrow applications with very tight tolerances, this material has an overall thickness of 8 mm and a basis weight of 200 g/m². It is also suitable for non-load bearing horizontal surfaces for extremely consistent noise absorption throughout the application.

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Acrylic Foam Tapes for Emblem Attachment

A simple method becomes even more effective for adding emblems and other differentiating visual elements to your designs. These thin, conformable acrylic foam tapes (AFT) feature adhesives formulated for attachment to automotive substrates, as well as treated liners for smooth, efficient tape application.

3M™ Die-Cuttable Tape DC2008S2, Black, 0.8 mm
This 0.8 mm foam tape has been silicone-treated on both sides for easy, one-piece release and efficient tape application. It adheres reliably to chrome and paint and delivers high initial tack that’s ideal for attaching automotive emblems. It also resists edge-welding for more efficient die cutting, even for intricate patterns.

3M™ Die-Cuttable Tape DC2005S2, Black, 0.5 mm
This 0.5 mm foam tape has been silicone-treated on both sides for easy, one-piece release and efficient tape application. It adheres reliably to chrome and paint and delivers high initial tack that’s ideal for attaching automotive emblems. It also resists edge-welding for more efficient die cutting, even for intricate patterns.

3M™ Die-Cuttable Tape DC2011S2, Black, 1.1 mm
This 1.1 mm foam tape has been silicone-treated on both sides for easy, one-piece release and efficient tape application. It adheres reliably to chrome and paint and delivers high initial tack that’s ideal for attaching automotive emblems. It also resists edge-welding for more efficient die cutting, even for intricate patterns such as letters. This tape is available with a clear low-stretch PET liner.

3M™ Die-Cuttable Tape DC2015S2, Black, 1.5 mm
This 1.5 mm foam tape has been silicone-treated on both sides for easy, one-piece release and efficient tape application. It adheres reliably to chrome and paint and delivers high initial tack that’s ideal for attaching automotive emblems. It also resists edge-welding for more efficient die cutting, even for intricate patterns. This tape is available with a clear low-stretch PET liner.

3M™ Acrylic Plus Tape EX4311
Developed specifically for attaching exterior trim and other parts to low surface energy (LSE) automotive paint surfaces, this 1.14 mm tape features a liner-side adhesive that bonds to the most advanced LSE automotive clear coats, including those comprised of epoxy/acid powder, 2K urethane, acrylosilane and carbamate. The non-liner-side adhesive is formulated for high initial adhesion to a variety of automotive substrates and coatings.

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Acrylic Foam Tapes for Exterior Attachment

3M™ Acrylic Foam Tapes and Acrylic PlusTapes are ideal for eliminating the use of mechanical fasteners in automotive exterior applications. Often used for sensor bonding, these tapes can replace ultrasonic welding. The conformable, viscoelastic foam cores provide excellent stress relaxation under high application loads and maintain tight bond lines under normal conditions. These tapes have been developed specifically for attaching exterior trim and other parts to automotive paint surfaces.

3M™ Acrylic Plus Tape EX4011, Black, 1.14 mm
Suitable for body side moldings, roof ditch moldings, claddings, wheel flares and more, 3M™ Acrylic Plus Tape EX4011 features a 1.14 mm acrylic foam core with two different adhesives. The liner-side adhesive is ideal for bonding to automotive trim and other components. The non-liner-side adhesive is formulated for very high initial and final adhesion to scratch- and mar-resistant paint systems.

3M™ Acrylic Plus Tape EX4311
Developed specifically for attaching exterior trim and other parts to LSE automotive paint surfaces, this 1.14 mm tape features a liner-side adhesive that bonds to the most advanced LSE automotive clear coats, including those comprised of epoxy/acid powder, 2K urethane, acrylosilane and carbamate. The non-liner-side adhesive is formulated for high initial adhesion to a variety of automotive substrates and coatings.

3M™ Acrylic Plus Tape PT1100, Dark Gray, 1.14 mm
3M™ Acrylic Plus Tape PT1100 is developed specifically for attaching rigid exterior trim and other parts to automotive substrates. It features a 1.14 mm acrylic foam core with a different adhesive on each side. The liner-side adhesive is formulated for very high initial and final adhesion to glass, as well as scratch- and mar-resistant paint systems. The non-liner-side adhesive is ideal for bonding to automotive trim and other components.

3M™ Acrylic Foam Tape PX5011, Dark Gray, 1.14 mm
Great for bonding sensors, as well as claddings, body side moldings, rocker panels, running boards and wheel flares, 3M™ Acrylic Foam Tape PX5011 has been tested specifically for use on thermoplastic olefin (TPO) and other LSE substrates. The 1.14 mm tape is ideal for easy- and medium-difficulty paint systems and features high temperature (up to 80°C) holding power on LSE plastics such as TPO, PP and PP/ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM). The liner is silicone-coated on both sides for easy release.

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Acrylic Foam Tapes for Primerless Attachment

This range of 3M™ Acrylic Foam Tapes allows for the installation of exterior brackets and trim without heavier mechanical fasteners or ultrasonic welding – and without the time, expense and added process times associated with adhesion promoters. All tapes feature viscoelastic acrylic foam cores for stress relaxation under high application loads and tight bond line aesthetics. These double-sided adhesives are formulated for specific substrates and for robust performance – even on complex contours and difficult automotive surfaces.

3M™ Acrylic Foam Tape PX5011, Dark Gray, 1.14 mm
Great for bonding sensors, as well as claddings, body side moldings, rocker panels, running boards and wheel flares, 3M™ Acrylic Foam Tape PX5011 has been tested specifically for use on TPO and other LSE substrates. The 1.14 mm tape is ideal for easy- and medium-difficulty paint systems and features high temperature (up to 80°C) holding power on LSE plastics such as TPO, PP and PP/EPDM. The liner is silicone-coated on both sides for easy release.

3M™ Acrylic Foam Tape PX5005
Tested specifically for excellent peel adhesion on TPO and other LSE substrates, this .51 mm tape features an adhesive formulated specifically for high adhesion to LSE and medium surface energy (MSE) surfaces on both sides of a viscoelastic foam core. This core conforms well, even to complex geometries, and is engineered for stress relaxation when exposed to high stress loads. It maintains bond line aesthetics under normal stress loads.

3M™ Acrylic Foam Tape PX5008, Dark Gray, 0.8 mm
This .8 mm tape features a double-sided adhesive that delivers robust initial tack and high adhesion build to TPO, EPDM and other LSE substrates. It is ideal for easy- and medium-difficulty paint systems and features high temperature (up to 80°C) holding power on LSE plastics such as TPO, PP and PP/EPDM. The liner is silicone-coated on both sides for easy release.

3M™ Acrylic Foam Tape PX5015
This 1.52 mm double-coated tape features the same adhesive on both sides for primerless application to LSE and MSE substrates and paints. Its acrylic foam core is designed for robust performance, even on complex contours and difficult paint surfaces. The liner is silicone-coated on both sides to enable easy release.

3M™ Acrylic Plus Tape EX4511, Black, 1.14 mm
Excellent for bumper sensor attachment, garnishes and nested components, our 1.1.4 mm 3M™ Acrylic Plus Tape EX4511 is formulated for MSE substrates, as well as scratch- and mar-resistant automotive paint and polymer systems. The deep black color provides uniform bond line appearance.

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Glass Bubbles

Our cross-industry expertise allows 3M to provide advanced material technology to automotive OEMs and Tier suppliers. 3M™ Glass Bubbles are microscopic, hollow glass microspheres that feature an extremely high strength-to-density ratio. This material is supplied as a polymer additive that can replace heavier materials without sacrificing the integrity of the component. In fact, it can reduce density in plastics, composites and coatings by up to 50%. 3M™ Glass Bubbles can be used in injection molded parts and sheet molded composites (SMCs), ideal for lightweight door panels hoods and trunk lids. They are also commonly used in seam sealing and underbody coatings.

Please contact a 3M expert to discuss your specific application.

3M™ Glass Bubbles

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Need Help Finding the Right Solution?

3M is constantly working to meet the evolving challenges of automotive OEM and Tier suppliers worldwide. If you need help finding an existing solution or would like to talk about specific ideas you’re working on, get in touch with us.

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