Assembly Solutions for Body-in-White

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 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.

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.