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3M design specialists can help to lower manufacturing costs, improve energy consumption, and enhance vehicle aesthetics, by reducing weight with innovative lightweighting solutions.
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Reducing product weight with material decisions
With government regulations requiring ever-increasing fuel economy standards, car manufacturers are leading the way in applying lightweighting technology. 3M and Automotive Engineering International have teamed up to find out which technologies and materials are the most effective in helping manufacturers meet their weight reduction goals.
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Joining and Bonding Composite PartsSubstrates, such as metal and plastic, can have significantly different physical and chemical properties that must be accommodated in new, lighter weight designs. Download our whitepaper to learn more about bonding composite parts.
Read the Whitepaper (PDF, 798.5 KB)
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Joining Plastic to MetalAs design engineers seek out more materials to help reach their lightweighting targets, challenges with bonding dissimilar materials can often arise due to differences in chemical properties. Download our 'New Techniques for Joining Plastic to Metal' article to explore how manufacturers are using tapes and adhesives to bond dissimilar materials.
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Tapes and Adhesives for LightweightingStrength. Durability. Longevity. Versatility. 3M adhesives and tapes are the ideal solution for bonding composites, plastics, and other lightweighting materials.
Four challenges to consider when reducing product weight with substrates
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Noisy Substrates
Lightweighting of substrates can produce noise of greater frequency and higher pitch, which can create perceptions of lower quality or decreased safety. 3M has products that can be used to provide sound damping, thereby decreasing excessive frequency and pitch.
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Flexible Substrates
Lightweighting substrates can often be more flexible, but they can also be weaker, meaning some products may need reinforcement to reach the strength required. However, the reinforcing materials must be light-weight enough to provide a net reduction in product weight. 3M adhesion technology can be used to achieve this in a variety of applications, including small appliances, handheld tools, electronics and signage.
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Heat Susceptibility of Substrates
Heat and flame resistance are critical considerations in designing products as diverse as hair dryers, vacuums, snowmobiles and commercial vehicle battery cables. Some applications may require overall heat resistance, while others need one-time protection from a flame event at the end of product life. When lightweighting, if a new substrate is susceptible to heat or flame, 3M foil tapes can provide the necessary protection.
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Visual Appearance of Substrates
A change to lightweighting substrates, especially from metal to plastic, can significantly change the appearance of products and create the perception of reduced quality. However, this can be addressed by adding veneers to new substrates or products to enhance their aesthetics and consumer appeal. 3M decorative film solutions can be used on products including consumer electronics or large home appliances, to make plastic surfaces more visually appealing.
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