How Our Partnership with 3M Strengthens Our Commitment to Customers

At Sur-Seal, we believe that strong relationships are the foundation of success. Whether it's with our customers, suppliers, or partners, we prioritize communication, collaboration, and a shared vision for excellence.

Our long-term relationship with 3M’s Electrical Materials Division (EMD) is a great example of how partnerships can drive value. Curtis Frye from 3M and Jay Wolfenbarger from Sur-Seal discuss the importance of this collaboration, especially in the automotive and electric vehicle (EV) sectors.

3M Electrical Materials Division: Expertise in Electrical Tape Solutions

“Our Electrical Materials Division provides solutions for traditional transformers, motors, appliances, EVs, automotive, and some electronics,” says Curtis. “We specialize in flexible insulation and heat shrink tubing—like covering lead wires on a device or appliance. We also offer liquid or powder resins for coating stacks, along with various electronic specialty products.”

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

“We have a wide range of electrical tapes, including insulating tapes, with many customization options. Most of our customers choose between discreet, solid, or flexible paper. We focus on enhancing or modifying materials to meet specific needs,” adds Curtis.

3M Insulating and Conductive Tapes Guide

3M Electrical Tapes Product Guide

Three Key Factors in Choosing the Right Electrical Tape

Selecting the best tape involves balancing three main factors: the adhesive system, the backing material, and thermal performance. The goal is to find the perfect fit for form, function, and process.

1. Adhesive System: Silicone, acrylic, and rubber each offer unique benefits like temperature resistance and tackiness.
2. Backing Material: The choice of backing affects durability and suitability for different applications.
3. Thermal Value: Tapes must withstand varying thermal environments, as defined by standards like UL.

It’s important to note that these properties often trade off against each other. For example, high flexibility may reduce heat resistance. That’s why understanding your application’s priorities is essential.

At 3M, our EMD team is here to help you make the right decision. You can start by exploring our product catalog, which includes questions to guide you through the selection process.

How to Choose the Best Electrical Tape for Your Application

While we encourage early involvement in the selection process, it’s important to approach it with multiple considerations in mind:

• Application type
• Operating temperatures
• Mechanical challenges
• Agency approvals required

We recommend engaging with both 3M and Sur-Seal experts at the earliest stage. This ensures design considerations, material requirements, and application compatibility are all addressed upfront, saving time and costs.

Key Questions to Ask When Selecting Tape Materials:

• 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 functional requirements?
• What are the operating temperatures?
• Is flexibility needed? If so, to what extent?
• 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?
• Is the surface smooth or rough with burrs?
• Is chemical resistance required?

Another important factor is the lifespan of the unit. As power demands increase and more devices rely on electricity, reducing heat generation becomes a key concern. Thermal conductivity and moisture content play significant roles in this context.

In transformers, for example, the ideal material can increase load capacity without raising the temperature. Standards such as 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 valuable tools, offering guidance based on application and mechanical needs. “Our tapes are designed with higher stretch while maintaining their hold,” Curtis explains, highlighting their use in military, aviation, electronics, shielding, and motor applications.

To aid in the selection process, 3M offers testing services.

Testing as a Tool for Determining the Right Insulation Material

“Understanding specifications is crucial for holding, insulating, or mechanical applications. We can provide samples for you to test,” Curtis explains. This testing phase helps identify higher priority needs and allows for adjustments based on initial feedback.

Curtis emphasizes the importance of understanding the specific 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 the process,” Curtis notes, suggesting that clients consult their 3M or Sur-Seal expert for a deeper understanding.

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

Sur-Seal & 3M: A Strategic Partnership That Delivers

The partnership between 3M and Sur-Seal is the cornerstone of our success. Strong relationships like these deliver real value to 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 range of customizable options, our engineering and consulting services are an integral part of your project. We conduct thorough process evaluations and provide recommendations for improvement.

This approach is especially beneficial for emerging EV manufacturers who need access to major OEMs and manufacturers. Our network of contacts enables 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 and 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 known for its responsiveness and agility, particularly through our engineering solutions team 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 broader range of options and better-fit solutions for clients.

This relationship illustrates the importance of strategic partnerships in manufacturing. These collaborations combine expertise, technology, and customer-centric approaches 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 tailored solutions.

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

3M Insulating and Conductive Tapes Guide

Jay recommends 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.

You may also be interested in:

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