Product Selection Guide
Matching 3M Structural Adhesives to your design,
performance and process requirements
September 2020
We Help You Make It. Better.
In today’s world, successful new products demand advancements in design,
manufacturing processes and end-use performance. Industrial engineering and
™
design professionals around the world depend on 3M
Adhesives to help them design beyond the limits of mechanical fasteners to create
Scotch-Weld™ Structural
next generation products.
Trusted innovations from
aerospace to oce space
With over 60 years of experience developing innovative structural adhesives for
aerospace, automotive and hundreds of other industries, 3M delivers the solutions you
can trust. Our advanced formulations create durable bonds, even on challenging
materials or in extreme conditions.
3M global service and support
3M supports our customers with the testing, technology, and training needed to
create better products. Our world-wide support sta has the experience you can
rely on for everything from structural adhesive selection to process improvement.
Leverage 3M’s proven selection of structural adhesives, deep industry expertise,
and technical support to your advantage. Design with Condence. Build to Last.
3M™ Scotch-Weld™ Structural Adhesives are
transforming the way engineers think.
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Advancing design, process and performance
The benets of designing and building products with 3M™ Scotch-Weld™ Structural Adhesives help drive product
success. Eliminating mechanical fasteners provides a wide range of benets for all stages of product development.
Design Solutions
Improve Aesthetics: Improve product appearance with
invisible joints and smoother bond lines, reduce weight
and noise, enhance corrosion and fatigue resistance,
and more.
Process Eciencies
Enhance Productivity: Reduce labor and material costs,
build faster with minimal surface prep and match cure
rates to your process needs.
Freedom of Design: Join composites to metal, build
with hard-to-bond plastics, and use thinner, lighter
weight materials.
Accurate and Easy: Dispense by hand or with automated
equipment, and choose from a wide range of viscosities
and ow rates.
Performance Optimization
Strong, Flexible Bonds: Adhesives bond and seal
simultaneously, eliminate stress concentration and absorb
shock and vibration for durable bonds.
Increased Durability: Resist chemicals, environment,
galvanic corrosion, fatigue, and material separation along
edges or corners.
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Simplifying Adhesive Decisions
for Your Application
The following questions will help you narrow adhesive choices
to a few possibilities for evaluation.
Q: What materials
will be bonded?
A:
Structural adhesives work
by adhering to the top surface
of the bonded parts, so it’s
important to know the exact
material and condition on
those surfaces. For metals,
will the adhesive be applied
to bare metal, or will there be a paint or coating on the
surface? For plastics, exactly which base resin? Could there
be residual release agents on the surfaces used for
mold release?
Q: What is the preferred
cure speed?
A:
The chosen structural
adhesive must have enough
work life (open time, pot life)
to allow proper mixing and
application of the adhesive
and assembling of the bonded
parts. Smaller assemblies or
shorter cycle time production processes may be able to use
a faster curing adhesive with a work life of only ve minutes
or less, while larger assemblies that require alignment and
clamping will probably need a work life of 20 minutes or more.
Q: What surface
preparation will
be required?
A:
Structural adhesives
generally prefer clean, rough,
dry surfaces for highest
bond strength. This typically
means either light abrasion
and solvent cleaning of the
surface, or solvent cleaning followed by chemical etching
or applying a primer. Adhesion tests should be performed
to determine the adequate surface preparation for a
specic application.
Q: What types of
joints are best for
structural adhesives?
A:
Joint designs that put the
adhesive bond under shear,
tension, or compression
forces will provide the highest
strength. Designs that tend
to apply peel or cleavage
forces to the adhesive, where the applied stresses are not
distributed over the entire bond area, will have lower bond
strength, but the bond may still be sucient for the needs
of the application. In addition, optimum bond line thickness
typically ranges from 0.005" to 0.020". The adhesive
qualication process should always include testing of
prototype assemblies to ensure the adhesive will provide
enough performance.
Q: How are structural
adhesives used
and applied?
A:
Structural adhesives come
in many forms, including low
viscosity liquids and non-sag
pastes, one- and two-component
formulations, short and long
work lives, and various package
sizes and shapes. Most two-part structural adhesives
are available in both bulk containers and convenient,
easy-to-use cartridge mixing systems.
Q: What are the general
characteristics of
the different types of
structural adhesives?
A:
All structural adhesives
provide at least 1,000 psi
of overlap shear strength to
aluminum, but the dierent
adhesive chemistries have
various properties:
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• Epoxy adhesives come in both two-part adhesives (that
Tensile
Shear
Cleavage
Peel
cure upon mixing the two components) and one-part
adhesives (that cure with temperature). They generally
have the highest strength and overall performance. They
also provide the best resistance to high temperatures,
solvents and outdoor weathering. They adhere well to
metals, woods and concrete, and the exible epoxy
adhesives also bond to some plastics and rubbers. Epoxy
adhesives usually require clean, abraded surfaces to
obtain maximum bond strength.
• Acrylic adhesives are two-part adhesives that provide
excellent bond strength and durability, although slightly
lower than epoxy adhesives. However, they have
several features that make them easier to use in many
applications and manufacturing processes. These benets
include a much faster cure speed, higher tolerance for
oily or unprepared bonding surfaces and the ability to
bond a wide variety of materials, including nearly all
plastics. Newer acrylic adhesive formulations are room
temperature stable with a long shelf life, and some have
much lower odor than regular acrylic adhesives.
• Urethane adhesives are two-part adhesives that are
relatively exible when cured, and therefore tend to
have excellent impact resistance and good adhesion to
most plastics. They also bond well to woods, concrete
and rubbers, but they tend to have reduced resistance
to solvents and high temperatures. Uncured adhesive
components are sensitive to moisture.
• Cyanoacrylate adhesives (instant adhesives) are one-
component, lower viscosity liquids that cure extremely
quickly with just contact pressure and surface moisture.
They adhere well, with thin bond lines, to plastics, metals
and rubbers. With the use of primers, they can also
adhere to low surface energy plastics and elastomers.
They tend to have low exibility, peel strength and impact
resistance compared to other structural adhesives. They
are generally used for applications such as gasket bonding
and smaller assemblies.
• Anaerobic adhesives are one-part adhesives that cure
on active metal surfaces when oxygen gets excluded
from the bond line. These products keep your factory
running eciently, reducing maintenance and leakage.
They do not bond well to glass, plastics or rubbers, and
are primarily used for applications such as locking threads
and sealing pipe connections.
• PUR adhesives
one-part adhesives that apply like a hot melt, but cure
with ambient moisture for near structural strength bonds.
Fast set times and build strength over the next 24-48
hours can reach as much as 1,000 psi in overlap shear
strength. They are exible and resistant to temperature
extremes and most solvents. Most commonly used in
bonds where at least one substrate contains or transmits
moisture (such as wood or plastic).
(Polyurethane-reactive adhesives) are
Tensile is pull exerted equally over the entire joint. Pull direction
is straight and away from the adhesive bond.
Shear is pull directed across the adhesive, forcing the
substrates to slide over each other.
Cleavage is pull concentrated at one edge of the joint, exerting
a prying force on the bond. The other edge of the joint is
theoretically under zero stress.
Peel is concentrated along a thin line at the edge of the bond
where one substrate is flexible.
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Key Markets & Applications
For 3M™ Scotch-Weld™ Structural Adhesives
Sporting Goods
Key Features & Benets:
• Excellent impact resistance of high
stressed bonds
• High strength for small joints
•
High strength bonding of rubber, composites
and metals to each other
Key Products:
DP420NS Black, DP8810NS, PR100, TS230
Specialty Vehicle
Key Features & Benets:
• Weight reduction
• High strength
• Vibration & fatigue resistance
Key Products:
DP6330NS, DP8410NS,
LSB60NS, TL42
Metalworking
Key Features & Benets:
• High strength and durability
• Reduced surface preparation before
bonding, and no grinding after bonding
• Save weight and improve appearance
with adhesives instead of welds or rivets
Key Products:
DP420NS Black, DP8407NS, DP8410NS
Signage
Key Features & Benets:
• One adhesive to bond all of your substrates
• Strong formulations and thin bond lines
• Weather resistance
• UL recognition
Key Products:
DP8805NS, DP8405NS, DP100 Plus
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Electronics
Key Features & Benets:
• Low halogen formulations available to
meet customer needs
• Fast cure to speed production
• Protect sensitive electrical connections
from the environment
Key Products:
DP420LH, DP8805NS, TS230, PR100
Appliance
Key Features & Benets:
• Simplify operations by bonding after powdercoating
• Eliminate the challenge of bonding rigid to exible
substrates
• Noise damping
• Reduce complexity-bond and seal glass to metal in
one step
Key Products:
DP125 Gray, DP6310NS, DP8810NS, TS230, TL42
Aerospace
Key Features & Benets:
• Available in UL94 or FST compliant
options
• Strong, yet exible bond lines
Key Products:
2216 Gray, DP100FR, DP640, TL71
Plastic, Composite & Rubber
Key Features & Benets:
• Bonding of low surface energy
plastics without priming
• Impact resistant composite
bonding
Key Products:
DP8010 Blue, DP420NS, DP6310NS,
TS230, PR100
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3M™ Scotch-Weld™ Adhesives
Selector Guide
Step 1: Select Most Dicult Substrate Step 2: Determine Key Attribute Step 3: Select Product Family
RubberPlastics/Paints/Coatings Oily MetalsMetals
Polyolens &
low surface
energy
materials
DP8010
Blue
•
LSE Acrylic
•
Plastic &
Rubber CA
General
purpose
Green
•
Low Odor Acrylic
•
MMA Acrylic
•
Flexible Epoxy
•
Flexible Urethane
•
Plastic PUR
•
Plastic &
Rubber CA
PR100 DP8407NS
•
Plastic & Rubber CA
•
Flexible Epoxy
PRODUCT FAMILIES KEY PRODUCTS ATTRIBUTE SUBSTRATE
*See chart in back of guide for more details.
SUBSTRATE ATTRIBUTE KEY PRODUCT PRODUCT FAMILIES
Structural Adhesive Families
Rigid Epoxy Adhesives — Higher tensile strength at lower
elongations for greater long-term holding power. Mostly used for
rigid substrates (metals) with high static loads.
Flexible Epoxy Adhesives — Lower tensile strength at higher
elongations for greater capability to withstand dierential
movement of bonded parts; higher peel strength and higher
adhesion to most plastics.
Toughened Epoxy Adhesives — Higher tensile strength at lower
elongations for fatigue resistance; best suited for dynamic stresses.
They have long-term holding power, higher peel strength, and
exceptional higher resistance against shock, vibration and impact
loads. Lower adhesion to most thermoplastics.
Heat-cured Epoxy Adhesives — One-component, rigid adhesives with
outstanding strength at elevated temperatures. These adhesives
require a thermal cure, typically around 250-350°F (120-180°C) for
40-60 minutes.
MMA Acrylic Adhesives — Provides greater adhesion to a wide
variety of materials including most plastics and paint systems, are
tolerant of many surface contaminations. High impact resistance for
metal bonds.
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High
temperature
strength
and solvent
resistance
2214
Regular
Gray
DP420NS
Black
•
Heat-cured
Epoxy
•
Toughened
Epoxy
General
purpose
DP420NS DP8805NS
•
Toughened
Epoxy
•
MMA Acrylic
•
Low Odor
Acrylic
•
Plastic PUR
•
Tou ghened CA
Aluminum and
Stainless Steel
DP8410NS
•
MMA Acrylic
•
Low Odor Acrylic
All other
metals
Low Odor Acrylic Adhesives — Less odor than typical acrylic
adhesives and faster rate of strength build than most two-part
structural adhesives. Excellent adhesion to a variety of materials,
including plastics and paint systems. They provide high impact
resistance for plastic bonds; and are tolerant of many surface
contaminations.
LSE Acrylic Adhesives — Outstanding adhesion to polyolen
materials such as polypropylene, polyethylene and TPO without
surface treatment.
Semi-rigid Urethane Adhesives — Higher tensile modulus and lower
elongation capability, with greater long-term holding power.
Flexible Urethane Adhesives — Lower tensile modulus and higher
elongation capability. Excellent adhesion to most plastics.
Instant Adhesive Families
Plastic & Rubber (PR) Instant Adhesives bond to the widest variety
of materials, have an extremely fast cure speed, and come in a wide
range of viscosity.
Surface Insensitive (SI) Instant Adhesives cure even on acidic
surfaces (such as wood, paper, leather, and ceramic); these adhesives
have a slower cure speed than traditional instant adhesives.
Ceramics/Glass
Wood Electronics PottingComposites Concrete/Stone/
Epoxy-based Outdoor
DP6310NS
DP420NS
Black
•
Toughened
Epoxy
•
Flexible Epoxy
•
Toughened CA
Fiberglass/SMC Indoor
Green
•
MMA Acrylic
•
Low Odor
Acrylic
•
Toughened
Epoxy
•
Plastic PUR
•
Toughened CA
variable
temperature
DP125 GrayDP8410NS
•
Flexible Epoxy
•
Flexible
Urethane
constant
temperature
DP420NS
Black
•
Toughened
Epoxy
•
Flexible Epoxy
•
Semi-rigid
Urethane
•
Flexible Urethane
•
Plastic PUR
*See chart in back of guide for more details.
SUBSTRATE ATTRIBUTE KEY PRODUCT PRODUCT FAMILIES
Low Odor (LO) Instant Adhesives provide a reduced blooming
eect for applications that require an improved appearance.
General Purpose (EC) Instant Adhesives are slightly less expensive
products that have lower strength and impact resistance compared
to traditional instant adhesives.
Super Fast (SF) Instant Adhesives provide the fastest rate of cure
speed for most applications.
Rubber Toughened (RT) Instant Adhesives can be used for
applications that require improved impact strength or vibration
resistance; preferred for applications bonding two rigid
materials together.
Metal (MC) Instant Adhesives provide improved performance
on metal substrates.
Engineered Grade (EG) Instant Adhesives provide excellent overall
performance for most applications.
Anaerobic Adhesive Families
Threadlockers (TL) hold screws and other threaded fasteners
in place to prevent loosening from shock, vibration, and thermal
expansion and contraction; these adhesives replace lock washers
and nylon-insert nuts.
TE100
•
Wood PUR
•
Rigid Epoxy
•
Flexible Epoxy
•
Semi-rigid Urethane
•
Surface Insensitive CA
Outdoor
variable
temperature
2216 Gray
•
Flexible Epoxy
Indoor
constant
temperature
DP270
•
Rigid Epoxy
•
Flexible Epoxy
•
Toughened
Epoxy
•
Plastic PUR
Retaining Compounds (RT) bond and seal non-threaded cylindrical
metal assemblies, such as press-t or slip-t parts; these adhesives
replace keys, splines, and set screws.
Pipe Sealants (PS) provide a pressure seal on threaded tubes and
pipes; these adhesives replace various tapes and pastes.
Gasket Makers (GM) ll voids between metal parts to create
a form-in-place gasket; these adhesives replace o-rings and
pre-formed gaskets.
PUR Adhesive Families
Wood PUR – Higher shear strength at lower elongations for long
term holding power. Mostly used for rigid wood substrates and
some plastics.
Plastic PUR – Higher impact strength, elongation and exibility for
greater capacity to withstand movement of bonded parts. Higher
adhesion to most plastics, glass and aluminum.
KEY PRODUCTS PRODUCT FAMILIESSUBSTRATE ATTRIBUTE
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