Finite Element Analysis for 3M tapes and adhesives

Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is a tool engineers use in product design and product performance analysis across nearly every industry. An engineer will create a rendering of an assembly with the finite element software and define each material of interest. In order to run simulations to predict performance, the model defines the parts’ geometries, their relation to one another and their material properties. Material properties are defined using a material model which describes the stress-strain response of the material. Material models are one of the main inputs of an FEA, and directly influence the accuracy of the user’s final FEA results. Unlike many metals and other standard engineering materials that can be simply modeled as linear-elastic materials, adhesives exhibit more complex types of mechanical behaviors when exposed to different loading conditions and thus require advanced testing and material calibration methods. 3M is uniquely positioned to characterize adhesive materials and provide advanced material models in a format compatible with a variety of finite element modeling software.

Pressure Sensitive Adhesives and Structural Adhesives have different material properties which make them suitable for use in different applications and it is important to understand how those properties will translate to the end use. FEA modelling is a tool that helps design engineers determine the right adhesive system for the application requirements.

You can request an MDC using the button below to 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.

• 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.

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.