- Overview
- Areas of application
- Adjustable Paint Masking Applicator
- Body-in-White
- Chassis and Wheels
- Exteriors and Glass
- Human Machine Interface (HMI)
- Interiors
- Manufacturing and Assembly
- Propulsion
- Sensors and Cameras
- View All Areas of Applications
- Product Solutions
- Auto Masking
- Boron Nitride Cooling Fillers
- Design & Functional Films Solutions
- Engineered Solutions
- Friction Shims
- Glass Bubbles
- View All Product Solutions
- Design challenges
- Support
Designs That Perform as Well as They Look
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Like you, we know an iconic bumper-to-bumper automotive design when we see it. Also like you, we know that these designs are not always possible if the bumpers must now contain discreet sensors. 3M continues to combine and apply technologies across industries to develop the very latest automotive exterior solutions from design through production. Our solutions enable bonding components to the latest metals, plastics and composites; new capabilities in heat management and corrosion protection; the increased use of glass without added heat and glare; and even more effective management of lightweighting and noise, vibration and harshness. All of this takes the form of an expansive range of solar films, primerless tapes and tape attached hardware, structural adhesives, paint defect removal systems and much more. These solutions allow true design flexibility – the kind that lets a great design stay great, including out in the world.
Solutions, Inside and Out
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3M films allow you to do much more than make vehicles look great and keep them looking great. You can design exterior trim without formed metal, chrome-plated plastic or painted parts, and you can achieve consistent finishes in more areas without changing base part design or materials. -
3M™ Structural Bonding Tape is developed for long-term performance on nearly any glass, ceramic, bracket or other hardware configuration. Many feature differential adhesives and flexible foam cores and are ordered as tape attached hardware for eliminating process steps. -
3M adhesive technologies apply to automotive exteriors just about everywhere – trim attachment, wheel arches, body side moldings and weatherstrips to name a few. Solutions are formulated for structural integrity and adhesion to a wide range of substrates, enabling new possibilities in automotive design. -
Besides allowing you to replace mechanical fasteners – and eliminate production steps – with high-performance primerless attachment tapes and structural adhesives. When used as an additive, 3M™ Glass Bubbles can reduce density in automotive plastics, composites and coatings by up to 50%. -
Through our established and growing solutions in engineered damping and adhesive materials, 3M is shaping the future of NVH management. Acrylic foam tapes reduce buzz, squeak and rattle in doors and along wheel wells. And 3M™ Glass Bubbles technology maximizes design flexibility. -
3M abrasives meet a broad range of surface preparation requirements and automated systems. Paper- and film-backed abrasive discs are excellent for primer sanding. A complete system of microreplicated abrasives, polishes and pads makes for fast, efficient paint defect identification and removal. -
Our body seal solutions include a wide range of heat-activated 3M™ Acrylic Foam Tapes (AFT) and adhesion promoters for attaching weatherstrip, high-temp gasket seals and more for sealing exterior areas. And 3M™ Glass Bubbles can transform traditional seam sealers and underbody coatings for lightweighting. -
Based on a well-established selection of foam attachment tapes and structural bonding tapes for bonding hardware components to modern paint systems and glass, 3M continually produces new solutions for the specialized requirements of automotive sensor installations. -
As demand for bright, panoramic cabin experiences grows, 3M responds with the full power of extensive film technologies. Our solar films let in the light without the heat, which allows for larger, more complex glass designs without adverse effects on power or passenger comfort.
Need help finding the right solution?
Start by answering a couple questions about your design challenge,
and we’ll point you toward some initial solutions for your consideration.
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This indispensable range of tapes for automotive OEMs features conformable, viscoelastic foam cores for stress relaxation under high application loads and tight bond lines under normal conditions. Developed specifically for attaching exterior trim and other parts to automotive paint surfaces, these tapes include several versions suitable for attachment without adhesion promoters.
Resources
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Durable films protect automotive surfaces from chips and scratches as well as discoloration. View the features, benefits, applications and ordering info. -
Learn more about our selection of films for exterior trim, including films as cost-effective replacements for stainless steel and Chromium-6. -
This two-page guide helps you choose the most suitable 3M™ Adhesion Promoters for use with 3M™ Acrylic Foam and Acrylic Plus Tapes. -
Discover the features, benefits and properties of 3M™ Acrylic Foam Tapes, including a newly designed adhesive for the latest clear coat systems. -
This four-page brochure provides comprehensive features, properties and applications for 3M™ Acrylic Foam Tapes. Includes a sample of each product. -
Explore the options for 3M blackout films with Comply™ adhesive technology. This two-page flyer includes thicknesses, textures, gloss levels and more.
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.
