Our Partnership with 3M Strengthens Our Ability to Serve You Better

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

One of our most valuable partnerships is with the 3M Electrical Materials Division (EMD). This long-standing relationship has allowed us to offer innovative solutions in electrical materials, especially in the automotive and electric vehicle (EV) industries. Jay Wolfenbarger from Sur-Seal and Curtis Frye from 3M discuss how this partnership continues to drive value for both companies and their clients.

3M Electrical Materials Division: Innovating Electrical Tape Solutions

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

Insulating tapes form the core of 3M EMD’s product line—essential for motors, transformers, and electronics.

“We have a wide range of electrical tapes, including insulating tapes, with many customization options. Most commonly, customers choose paper-based tapes that are either solid, flexible, or discreet. We focus on developing enhanced or modified materials to meet specific needs and applications,” adds Curtis.

3M Insulating and Conductive Tapes Guide

3M Electrical Tapes Product Guide

Three Key Considerations When Selecting Electrical Tape

Selecting the right tape involves balancing the adhesive system, the backing material, and the thermal properties. The goal is to find a solution that fits your application in terms of form, function, and process.

1. Adhesive System: Options like silicone, acrylic, and rubber offer different benefits, such as temperature resistance and tackiness.
2. Backing: Choosing the right backing material is essential for durability and suitability for the application.
3. Thermal Value: As defined by UL standards, tapes must withstand varying thermal environments.

It’s important to note that the performance of any given tape often involves trade-offs. One feature may be stronger while another is weaker. Therefore, understanding your application’s priorities is crucial when making a selection.

At 3M, our EMD experts are here to help you make the best choice based on your needs.

You can start by exploring our product catalog, which includes helpful questions to guide your decision-making process.

How to Choose the Right Electrical Tape for Your Application

We recommend starting the selection process early, but it’s important to understand that it requires a multi-layered approach involving several factors:

• Application requirements
• Operating temperature range
• Mechanical challenges
• Agency approvals

We always encourage customers to engage with 3M and Sur-Seal experts from the beginning. By doing so, we can address design considerations, material properties, and application compatibility early on, saving time and costs.

Key Questions to Ask During Tape Selection

• What material or substrate will the tape be applied to?
• Who will apply the tape, and how?
• What are the specific requirements?
• What are the operating temperatures?
• Is flexibility required, and to what extent?
• Will secondary cooling be needed?
• Is there a risk of exposure to moisture, splash, or immersion?
• Does the product require resin, powder, or coating for bonding?
• Is the surface smooth or rough with burrs?
• Is chemical resistance necessary?

Another critical factor is the expected lifespan of the unit. With increasing power demands and more connected devices, managing heat becomes essential. Thermal conductivity and material moisture content play significant roles in this context.

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

3M’s brochures and selection guides are invaluable resources, offering guidance based on application and mechanical needs. “Our tapes are designed with higher stretch while maintaining strength,” Curtis notes, 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 Evaluating Insulation Materials

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

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 adds, suggesting that clients consult with their 3M or Sur-Seal expert for more detailed insights.

Thorough testing helps us evaluate 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 Built on Trust

The Sur-Seal and 3M partnership is central to our success. These kinds of relationships deliver great value to 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 along benefits like special pricing, stock management, and value-added fabrication services such as cutting to length, packaging, kitting, and applying tape to cards for optimal use and minimal waste.

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

The advantages of working with distributors like Sur-Seal go beyond logistics. While we offer customizable options for your product, our engineering and consulting services are integral to your project. We conduct thorough process evaluations and provide recommendations for improvement.

This approach is especially beneficial for emerging EV manufacturers seeking access to major OEMs and manufacturers. Our network 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 strengths of this partnership:

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

Sur-Seal’s approach is fast and adaptable, especially evident in our Cincinnati-based engineering team. They work closely with 3M to rapidly prototype solutions, demonstrating our commitment to meeting customer needs efficiently.

3M, with its global technology development and application teams across the U.S., Europe, and Asia, stays ahead of industry trends. Their global product development experts are well-equipped with knowledge and resources, making them an invaluable partner. They encourage early project engagement for a broader range of options and better-fit solutions.

This relationship shows the importance of strategic partnerships in manufacturing. Combining expertise, technology, and a customer-centric approach leads to superior solutions and services.

Jay Wolfenbarger: “Our partnership allows us to quickly provide solutions through slitting, die-cutting, and kitting, maximizing 3M’s high-quality 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 starting with 3M’s product selection guides to begin choosing the right materials for your project, followed by engaging their technical team for more detailed solutions.

The guides provide step-by-step instructions to help you ask the right questions and narrow down your choices.

3M Insulating and Conductive Tapes Guide

Jay recommends using 3M’s ‘Protect and Insulate’ guide to make informed decisions about insulating and conductive tapes.

As always, our 3M and Sur-Seal team is ready to assist you from the very beginning, ensuring the best results and 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