- Overview
- Products
- 3M™ VHB™ Tapes
- 3M™ Scotch-Weld™ Structural Adhesives
- Adhesive Transfer Tapes and Double Coated Tapes
- Spray Adhesives
- Reclosable Fasteners
- Foam Tapes
- Hot Melt Adhesives
- View All Products
- Applications
- Panel-to-Frame/Stiffener-to-Panel
- Small Joint Assembly
- Large Surface Lamination
- Mounting and Trim Attachment
- Gasket Attachment
- Sealing/Potting and Encapsulating
- View All Applications
- Design Challenges
- Resources
- Automated Manufacturing
- Bonding Automation Network
- Bonding Process Center
- Bonding Product Selector
- Learn About Bonding and Joining
- Science of Adhesion
- Structural Adhesives Resources
- View All Resources
- Support
Accelerate your innovation journey with the 3M Digital Materials Hub. Engineers can access and compare verified material data cards, modeling data and data specifications.
Accurate material data to advance your design.
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Model design challenges earlier.Simulate before you assemble to help reduce development cycle time and product failure.
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Data you can trust.Predict performance and verify 3M Adhesive and Tape bonding applications in the product design.
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Reliable compatibility.3M Material Data Cards (MDC) are compatible with many design simulation programs.
During the design process simulation can help verify engineering decisions. To effectively run simulations, obtaining accurate engineering data is essential. 3M provides unparallel adhesive and tape data so your modeling system can more accurately predict how a bonded joint will perform under stress.
3M’s accurate material models are key to predictive product performance. 3M FEA modeling can help you determine the optimum adhesive and joint design for bonding applications.
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Bonded part: Stress is distributed across the area of the bond. -
Stress distribution in an overlap joint loaded in shear. -
Stress distribution in a butt joint loaded in tension.
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Finite element material model for structural adhesives
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Structural adhesives are reactive systems capable of bearing high loads (>1000 psi overlap shear strength). Structural adhesive properties range from flexible to very stiff, and some ductile adhesives can undergo large plastic deformations before failure. The mechanical response of structural adhesives must be characterized in both the elastic and plastic regimes and should include strain rate and temperature sensitivities. This involves measuring Young’s Modulus, Poisson’s ratio and the plastic curve under various conditions. Currently, 3M can offer elastic-plastic modeling data at different strain rates for most of our structural adhesives. We also recognize and support other modeling conditions and methods.
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Finite element material model for pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs)
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PSAs are soft, flexible, non-reactive adhesives that form a bond when pressure is applied. The properties of these viscoelastic materials are frequency and temperature sensitive. Conventional mechanical properties, such as Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio, even when obtained at relevant rates and temperatures, do not accurately capture PSA behavior. Consequently, 3M has developed Material Data Cards (MDCs) which are available for common 3M materials in a ready-to-use format for numerous commercially available FEA software applications. Currently, we can offer an MDC for any 3M PSA which is compatible with Abaqus, ANSYS MAPDL, ANSYS Workbench and LS-Dyna.
These MDCs are available for PSAs in the linear viscoelastic regime, that is, strains less than about 25% in any direction (tensile, compression, shear). 3M’s strategy is to measure rate and temperature dependent behavior over a wide range of conditions and model the material response using linear viscoelasticity. The appropriateness and validity of these assumptions can then be determined for each material based on validation of the material model in a relevant use case.
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Learn how 3M data can help you design with confidence through accurate material data.
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Finite Element Analysis Video
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News & Events
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3M, in partnership with Ansys, has just launched two self-paced advanced modeling courses on Ansys Learning hub. Ansys users can use your Ansys Learning Hub account to register today.
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Press Release
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White Papers & Presentations
You can request an MDC and tell us some basic information such as the product you’re interested in, your modeling system and the substrates you’re bonding. If you have questions regarding methodology or application, use the additional information field.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The technical information, guidance, and other statements contained in this document or otherwise provided by 3M is based upon records, tests, or experience that 3M believes to be reliable, but the accuracy, completeness, and representative nature of such information is not guaranteed. Such information is intended for people with knowledge and technical skills sufficient to assess and apply their own informed judgment to the information. In particular, customer is solely responsible for its own product design, including but not limited to, when using Material Data Card (MDC), finite element analysis or simulations provided by 3M. No license under any 3M or third-party intellectual property rights is granted or implied with this information. Further, customer will be solely responsible for its use of the MDC, including any damage to his computer(s) or device(s) or loss of data that results from the download or use of any digital data, i.e. MDC.
PRODUCT SELECTION AND USE: Many factors beyond 3Ms control and uniquely within users knowledge and control can affect the use and performance of a 3M product in a particular application. As a result, customer is solely responsible for evaluating the product and determining whether it is appropriate and suitable for customers application, including conducting a workplace hazard assessment and reviewing all applicable regulations and standards (e.g., OSHA, ANSI, etc.). Failure to properly evaluate, select, and use a 3M product and appropriate safety products, or to meet all applicable safety regulations, may result in injury, sickness, death, and/or harm to property.
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3M MAKES NO OTHER WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OR CONDITION OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR ARISING OUT OF A COURSE OF DEALING, CUSTOM, OR USAGE OF TRADE. If a 3M product does not conform to this warranty, then the sole and exclusive remedy is, at 3Ms option, replacement of the 3M product or refund of the purchase price.
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