3M AutomotiveWeight Reducing Solutions

WeightLess

More Performance

byDriven

WorldwideInnovation

3M has been helping automotive manufacturers reduce

costs, improve processes and assist in innovative vehicle

design for many years.

Consumer and government pressure for lower carbon

emissions, increased vehicle performance and comfort has

driven 3M to develop a number of innovative vehicle weight

reducing solutions. These solutions can help in the reduction

of carbon emissions from vehicles.

Structures TogetherLightweight

The 3M range of body construction adhesives are

designed to suit a wide range of substrates and lightweight

materials. High toughness adhesives are also available for

crash critical structures. With a range of application and

dispensing options, combined with oil compatibility for

robust in-plant usage, the 3M offering provides the complete

solution.

Additional benefits of adhesive bonding include less

energy usage than welding. Material efficiencies can also

be increased using 3M aluminium repair adhesives which

can repair aluminium structures as opposed to scrapping

damaged vehicles.

However, the most significant 3M benefits may be gained by

utilising our proven problem solving expertise, backed by

extensive lab and test capabilities.

Facilitating Lightweight Vehicle Structures

Automotive manufacturers can now reduce vehicle weight

and therefore carbon emissions whilst improving cabin

comfort using 3M Thinsulate™ Acoustic Insulation.

3M Thinsulate™ Acoustic Insulation enables more cost

effective use of insulation materials. With its higher acoustic

performance per unit weight, less Thinsulate is required to

achieve the same level of noise reduction when compared to

traditional materials.

This highly conformable and easy to recycle material can

be used in a wide variety of application areas. An additional

benefit is reliable and energy efficient attachment with

ultrasonic welding to component parts.

Less weight. Quieter ride.

3M Glass Bubbles can help you to reduce weight without

compromising component strength and finish. They are

ideally suited for use in the automotive industry, helping

manufacturers to reduce weight, improve dimensional

stability and aid cycle time reduction.

These weight reduction additives can be used in a

wide variety of thermoplastics and are also resilient to

compounding and injection moulding.

Reduce Component Weight By 10% - 30%

Thinsulate™

Acoustic Insulation

Glass BubblesLightweight Additives

Automotive Weight Reducing Solutions

Holding

Body in White Structural Adhesives and Films

• Bringing together the latest metallic, polymeric and

composite materials calls for a new take on joining

technology. 3M is answering this need with a range of

body construction adhesives suited to a wide range of

substrates.

• Range of application and dispensing solutions.

• Weld reduction and ‘hidden’ joining techniques.

• High toughness adhesives for crash critical structures.

• Proven problem solving expertise.

Manufacturing Consumables

• Effective systems for grinding, sanding, polishing masking

and wiping.

• Personal Protection Equipment.

• Can deliver more efficient customer repair processes and

faster cycle times.

Engineered Films

• Paint Protection Films.

• Paint Replacement (Blackout) Films.

• Potential for weight saving versus cladding.

• Component customisation and personalisation.

Attachment and Bonding Solutions

• The industry standard for the attachment of exterior trim

parts and for the attachment of seals.

• A wide range of Recloseable Fasteners, for interior trim

attachment.

• Adhesives for interior applications

Powertrain and Chassis

• Interam™ protective mat mounts for emission reducing

catalytic converter systems.

• Specialist high temperature adhesives.

• Wheel Balancing Weights, tape attached weights offering

weight saving potential.

• Threadlock sealants.

New Technologies

• New lighting and design technologies and much more...

Contact 3M to see how we can help you.

3Automotive Business Centre 3M United Kingdom PLC3M Centre, Cain RoadBracknell, Berkshire, RG12 8HTTel: 00 44 1344 857875www.3M.co.uk/Automotive

Please recycle. Printed in England.© 3M 2007. All rights reserved.

3M AutomotiveAs well as these weight reducing technologies 3M has products used in every part of the automotive manufacturing process.

These are supported by an experienced team of technical specialists and testing and development facilities.

Solutions across every manufacturing process