Our Partnership with 3M Strengthens Our Capabilities and Enhances Value for Customers

At Sur-Seal, we believe that strong relationships are the foundation of success. Whether it's with customers, suppliers, or partners, our ability to deliver high-quality solutions depends on collaboration, clear communication, and a shared commitment to excellence.

One of our most valuable partnerships is with the 3M Electrical Materials Division (EMD). This relationship has proven to be a powerful force in the automotive and electric vehicle (EV) industries. Curtis Frye from 3M and Jay Wolfenbarger from Sur-Seal discuss how this partnership continues to evolve and meet the needs of today’s demanding markets.

3M Electrical Materials Division: Innovating Electrical Tape Solutions

"The 3M Electrical Materials Division offers a wide range of products tailored for traditional transformers, motors, appliances, EVs, and automotive applications," explains Curtis Frye. "We specialize in flexible insulation and heat shrink tubing—ideal for covering wires and components. We also provide liquid or powder resins for stack coverage and various electronic specialty products."

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

"We offer multiple types of electrical tapes, including paper-based options like solid, flexible, or discreet varieties. Our focus is on developing materials that can adapt to specific application requirements," adds Curtis.

3M Insulating and Conductive Tapes Guide

3M Electrical Tapes Product Guide

Three Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Electrical Tape

Selecting the right tape involves balancing adhesive properties, backing material, and thermal performance. The goal is to find a solution that fits your application’s form, function, and process requirements.

1. Adhesive System: Options like silicone, acrylic, and rubber each offer unique advantages such as temperature resistance and tackiness.
2. Backing Material: The choice of backing affects durability and suitability for different applications.
3. Thermal Performance: Tapes must meet UL standards for thermal stability and withstand varying environmental conditions.

It's important to note that these features often trade off against one another. Therefore, understanding your application’s top priorities is crucial when making a selection.

At 3M, our EMD team is here to help guide you through this decision-making process. You can start by exploring our product catalog, which includes helpful questions to consider during the selection process.

How to Choose the Best Electrical Tape for Your Needs

While we encourage early engagement in the selection process, it's essential to take a multi-layered approach. Consider the following factors:

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

We always recommend working with both 3M and Sur-Seal experts from the beginning. By involving us early, we can address design considerations, material compatibility, and performance expectations upfront, saving you time and costs.

Questions to Ask During the Tape Selection Process:

• What material or substrate will the tape be applied to?
• Who will apply the tape, and how?
• What are the functional requirements?
• What are the operating temperature ranges?
• Is flexibility required, and if so, to what extent?
• Will secondary cooling be needed?
• Is there any exposure risk? Is it continuous, submerged, or occasional?
• Does the product need resin, powder, or coating for bonding?
• Is the surface smooth or rough with burrs?
• Does it require chemical resistance?

Another key factor is the expected lifespan of the unit. As power demands grow and connected devices consume more energy, managing heat becomes increasingly critical. Thermal conductivity and moisture content play significant roles in this context.

In transformers, for example, the right material can boost load capacity without increasing 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 insights based on application and mechanical needs. “Our tapes are designed with higher stretch while maintaining their hold,” says Curtis, 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 for Selecting Insulation Materials

“Understanding specifications is key for holding, insulating, or mechanical applications,” explains Curtis. “We can provide samples for you to test.” This testing phase often reveals hidden 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 integrate 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 for your consideration,” Curtis notes, suggesting 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 is to find the ideal product based on the desired lifespan of the unit and by balancing various properties.

Sur-Seal & 3M: A Strong and Strategic Partnership

The Sur-Seal and 3M partnership is at the heart of our success. These kinds of collaborations provide 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 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 and converters like Sur-Seal go beyond logistics. While we offer a wide range of customizable options, 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 Electric Vehicle (EV) manufacturers who need access to major Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and other industry players. Our extensive 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 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 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 illustrates the importance of strategic partnerships in the manufacturing industry. These partnerships 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 starting with 3M’s product selection guides to begin 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 and find the best fit for your application.

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, your 3M and Sur-Seal team is ready to engage with you early, ensuring you receive 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