Our Partnership with 3M Strengthens Our Commitment to Customer Value

At Sur-Seal, we believe that strong relationships are the foundation of success. Whether it's with our customers, suppliers, or partners, we rely on collaboration, clear communication, and a shared dedication to quality.

One of our most valuable partnerships is with the 3M Electrical Materials Division (EMD). This long-term relationship has allowed us to deliver even more value to our clients, especially in the automotive and electric vehicle (EV) industries. Curtis Frye from 3M and Jay Wolfenbarger from Sur-Seal share insights into how this partnership works and why it’s so important.

3M Electrical Materials Division: Innovation in Electrical Tape Solutions

“The 3M Electrical Materials Division provides solutions for traditional transformers, motors, appliances, EVs, automotive applications, and some electronics,” explains Curtis. “We specialize in flexible insulation and heat shrink tubing—like covering lead wires on devices or appliances. We also offer liquid or powder resins for coating stacks, as well as various electronic specialty products.”

Insulating tapes are central to 3M EMD’s product line, playing a vital role in motors, transformers, and electronics.

“We offer a wide range of electrical or insulating tapes, with many customization options. Customers often choose from discreet, solid, or flexible paper materials. We focus on enhancing or modifying materials to meet specific application needs,” adds Curtis.

3M Insulating and Conductive Tapes Guide

3M Electrical Tapes Product Guide

Key Considerations When Choosing Electrical Tape

Selecting the right tape involves balancing adhesive properties, backing material, and thermal performance. The goal is to find the best fit for form, function, and process.

1. Adhesive System: Silicone, acrylic, and rubber offer different benefits such as temperature resistance and tackiness.
2. Backing: The choice of backing material affects durability and suitability for specific applications.
3. Thermal Value: As defined by UL thermal classes, tapes must withstand varying thermal environments.

It's also important to understand that one feature may affect another. For example, high flexibility might reduce adhesion strength. Therefore, knowing your application’s priorities is essential when choosing the right product.

At 3M, our EMD experts are here to help guide you through this decision-making process.

You can start by exploring our product catalog, which includes helpful questions to consider when selecting the ideal solution for your needs.

How to Choose the Best Electrical Tape for Your Application

While we recommend starting the selection process early, it’s important to recognize that it requires a multi-step approach involving several key considerations:

• Application requirements
• Operating temperatures
• Mechanical challenges
• Agency approvals

We always encourage customers to involve their 3M and Sur-Seal experts from the beginning to identify the best solution. By engaging us early in the process, we can ensure that design considerations, required properties, and application compatibility are all addressed upfront, saving you time and cost.

Questions to Ask During the Tape Selection Process:

• What is the material or substrate the tape will be applied to?
• Who will apply the tape? How will it be applied?
• What are the specific requirements?
• What are the operating temperatures?
• Is flexibility needed? If so, how much?
• Will secondary cooling be required?
• Is there a risk of exposure? Is it continuous, submerged, or occasional?
• Does the product require a resin, powder, or coating to bond?
• Is the surface smooth or rough with burrs?
• Is chemical resistance required?

A critical factor to consider is the lifespan of the unit. In an era where power demands are rising and connected devices use more energy, reducing heat generation becomes a top priority. Thermal conductivity and moisture content of materials play a significant role in this context.

In transformers, for instance, the right material can increase load capacity without raising the temperature. Standards like UL and transformer 1446 define major and minor insulation requirements, focusing on thermal stability, aging, shock, vibration, and humidity resistance.

3M’s brochures and selection guides are invaluable tools, offering guidance based on application and mechanical needs. “Our tapes are designed with higher stretch while maintaining their hold,” Curtis adds, highlighting their suitability for specialized applications in military, aviation, electronics, shielding, and motor products.

To support the selection process, 3M offers testing services.

Testing as a Tool to Determine the Right Insulation Material

“Understanding specifications is crucial for holding, insulating, or mechanical applications. We can provide samples for you to test,” explains Curtis. This testing phase often reveals higher-priority needs, allowing for adjustments based on initial feedback. Curtis emphasizes the importance of understanding the unique demands of each application.

Key factors to consider include:

• The effect of heat or temperature – how intense and for how long?
• What voltage levels are involved, and what are the ramp-up times?
• Mechanical or winding stresses, such as folds, sharp edges, and burrs
• How will the material be integrated into your equipment?
• Is the material under compression? Is it sealed, encapsulated, or saturated?
• How does it respond to thermal stress?

“Test methods are a critical component of your evaluation,” Curtis notes, suggesting that clients consult their 3M or Sur-Seal expert for more detailed guidance.

Thorough testing allows us to evaluate aspects like heat effect, voltage, and mechanical stress. The goal of testing is to find the ideal product based on the desired lifespan of the unit and by balancing various properties.

Sur-Seal & 3M: A Model of Strategic Collaboration

The partnership between 3M and Sur-Seal is at the core of our success. These kinds of relationships deliver real value for both us and our customers.

As a distributor and converter, Sur-Seal ensures added value through flexible terms, inventory management, and efficient scheduling, especially for smaller orders. We also pass on the benefits of special terms, stock management, and value-added fabrication services like cutting to length, packaging, kitting, and applying tape to cards for optimal utilization and minimal waste.

Beyond Electrical Materials: Sur-Seal & 3M as Strategic Partners

The advantages of working with distributors and converters like Sur-Seal go beyond logistics. While we offer a wide range of customizable options, our engineering and consulting services are part of every project. We conduct thorough process evaluations and provide recommendations for improvement.

This approach is especially beneficial for emerging Electric Vehicle (EV) manufacturers seeking access to major Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). Our network of contacts allows us to offer services like die-cutting and manage engagement terms effectively.

LEARN MORE: Explore Sur-Seal’s Engineering and Design Capabilities

Jay Wolfenbarger of Sur-Seal highlights the strength of this partnership:

“With our partnership, being able to get materials quickly, then add value through services like slitting, die cutting, kitting, and fabricating, creates a great synergy between the material itself and the function and fit of the part we provide.”

Sur-Seal’s approach is characterized by responsiveness and agility, particularly evident in our engineering solutions team based in Cincinnati. Our team works closely with 3M to rapidly prototype solutions, demonstrating our commitment to meeting customer needs efficiently.

3M, with its robust technology development and applications groups across the US, Europe, and Asia, stays ahead of global industry trends. Their experts in global product development are well-equipped with knowledge and resources, making them an invaluable partner. They encourage early engagement in projects for a more comprehensive range of options and better-fit solutions for clients.

This relationship exemplifies the importance of strategic partnerships in the manufacturing industry. These collaborations combine expertise, technology, and a customer-centric approach to deliver superior solutions and services.

Jay Wolfenbarger: “Our partnership allows us to swiftly provide solutions through slitting, die-cutting, and kitting, making the most of 3M’s superior materials.”

Curtis adds, “Sur-Seal’s responsive approach perfectly complements our global insights and technical expertise.”

LEARN MORE: Explore Sur-Seal’s Die-Cutting Capabilities

Next Steps in Tape Selection & Additional Resources

We recommend using 3M’s product selection guides as a starting point for selecting project materials, followed by engaging their technical team for more nuanced solutions.

The guides provide step-by-step instructions for asking the necessary questions to narrow down your selection to the ideal choices.

3M Insulating and Conductive Tapes Guide

Jay emphasizes using 3M’s ‘Protect and Insulate’ guide to make informed choices in insulating and conductive tapes.

As always, your 3M and Sur-Seal team members are ready to engage with you as early as possible, ensuring you get the best results and the most cost-effective solutions.

Contact Sur-Seal today to get started.

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• Electrical Enclosure Gaskets: A Sur-Seal Case Study
• Choosing the Right Materials for Electronic Products