Body-in-White vehicle body

Assembly Solutions for Body-in-White

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Science for the Most Essential Stages of Assembly

Even when the vehicle assembly process is just beginning, the science is already deep and broad. 3M delivers solutions that add efficiency in body-in-white (BIW) assembly and manufacturing – which gives designers more freedom to create with confidence.

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    Finishing Wheels

    Non-woven abrasives are designed to fit right into the latest manufacturing methods and techniques. Features like dressable edges, open-web fiber construction and premium abrasive minerals make them reliable, consistent and adaptable.

    • Scotch-Brite™ Laser Braze Finishing Wheel
      Ideal for leveling, blending and finishing laser-brazed joints, such as roof ditches and trunk lids, this abrasive wheel features our Precision-Shaped Grain (PSG) for added speed, consistency and long product life on silicon bronze and other metals.
    • Scotch-Brite™ EXL PRO Unitized Wheel
      This versatile abrasive wheel can be dressed for smear-resistant deburring, finishing and polishing of all metal alloys and many plastics and composites. Its unitized construction allows it to be used clockwise or counter-clockwise.
    • Scotch-Brite™ Radial Bristle Brush
      Featuring a ceramic abrasive grain blended with aluminum oxide, our Scotch-Brite™ Radial Bristle Brush delivers consistent stock removal from a range of metals. As it wears, new abrasive mineral is constantly exposed for consistent performance. Its unique construction runs cool and resists loading, making for a fast, consistent cut for the life of the brush.

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    Fluoroelastomers

    3M™ Dyneon™ Fluoroelastomers (FKM & FFKM) allow you to choose materials with the optimal balance of thermal resistance, chemical resistance and sealing strength. These 3M fluoroelastomer compounds have been used to produce elastomeric material for reliable, stable sealing in some of the toughest environments on earth and can help you manufacture quality, cost-effective sealing components. They deliver low permeation and are highly processible for a full range of extrusion and molding processes.


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    3M™ Friction Shims

    Our 3M™ Friction Shims help answer the demand for maximum power density – enhancing friction to transmit higher loads while enabling lightweight designs. This technology is ideal for BIW designs that meet specifications for weight, torque, power density and efficiency of assembly. 3M™ Friction Shims reliably transmit up to 4X higher torque than conventional systems, without requiring modifications to joint design.


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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.


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    Structural Adhesive Liquids

    3M delivers structural adhesive liquids that allow for reinforcement and, in many applications, replacement of mechanical fasteners. They can be applied quickly and efficiently and provide flexible working times. Many are formulated for longer storage and lower cure temperatures (at room temperature or induction cured as low as 80°C), ideal for bonding materials such as carbon fiber without distortion or resin degradation. Our adhesives can help minimize panel distortion, especially on aluminum hems for hoods, trunks and doors, and eliminate the need for additional pre-cure ovens.

    Many of our two-part epoxy structural adhesives are available in Duo-Pak cartridge and bulk containers and can be applied with 3M application equipment that allows for precise, consistent mix ratios and minimal product waste.

    • 3M™ Structural Adhesive SA9820
      Formulated for increased design flexibility in automotive OEM applications, this two-part epoxy adhesive is ideal for bonding carbon composites. It cures at low temperatures and can achieve the same mechanical performance of 1K, even on oily metals. Bonded substructures can be stored up to two months before full e-coat/paint cycle curing.
    • 3M™ Scotch-Weld™ Epoxy Adhesive DP460
      This toughened, two-part epoxy adhesive provides heat and chemical resistance for automotive applications. It mixes at 2:1 and provides a 60-minute working time, allowing for positioning of either substrate. It reaches handling strength in about four hours.
    • 3M™ Scotch-Weld™ DP490
      This toughened, two-part epoxy provides good strength along with high impact and fatigue resistance. The mix ratio is 2:1 and provides a 20-minute work life, allowing time to adjust for desired fit prior to curing. It can withstand paint bake operations up to 400°F for 60 minutes.
    • 3M™ Scotch-Weld™ Urethane Adhesive DP620NS
      Our two-part, polyurethane-based structural adhesive is ideal for applications requiring low-temperature flexibility. It mixes at 1:1 and provides a 20-minute work life, allowing for positioning of either substrate. It reaches handling strength in about four hours.

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    Structural Adhesive Tapes

    The power of 3M structural adhesives in a tape format makes for precision and efficiency. These double-sided structural adhesive tapes can bond to dozens of substrates. They allow for efficient processing and assembly, especially for bonding long, thin areas where the use of spot welds or mechanical fasteners has traditionally required extra time and labor.

    • 3M™ Structural Adhesive Tape SAT1010
      3M™ Structural Adhesive Tape SAT1010 is ideal for structural bonding strength, sealing and isolation between dissimilar materials. It features an expanding, structural epoxy formulated for steel and aluminum parts. The tape expands and cures in e-coat cure ovens and can fill small gaps where tolerances would otherwise be an issue. It is an alternative to clinching and provides clean, repeatable application without the variability of many liquid adhesives.

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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