Body-in-White Solutions for Automotive OEM & Tier

A new era in bonding metals and composites.

CONNECT WITH A 3M EXPERT

More than just strength. A full range of benefits for body-in-white.

Available in a full range of chemistries and characteristics, structural adhesives from 3M help you make it better in your body-in-white applications – and consistent, reliable strength is just the start. With 3M™ Structural Adhesives you can replace welds, nuts and bolts and other mechanical fasteners, helping reduce weight and simplifying manufacturing processes. Our structural adhesives are excellent isolators, creating greater possibilities in multi-material bonding. You can use materials such as aluminum, structural steel and lightweight composites in body-in-white assemblies without the concern of corrosion. Since our structural adhesives cure at low temperatures, you can achieve structural bonds with less heat and reduced process energy for more sustainable operations.

Critical structure for body-in-white

Critical Structure Solutions for Body-in-White

< PREVIOUS VIDEO NEXT VIDEO >

When strength and reliability are not optional
In this new era of bonding, 3M™ Structural Adhesives are formulated to stand up even in the toughest applications. Compared to traditional joining methods the use of toughened adhesives will improve the impact resistance of the structure and enhance its NVH performance. 3M adhesives are available with a range of modulus and elongations, which can help with varying degrees of energy absorption or transmission. Some of the two-part epoxy adhesives from 3M are toughened to prevent crack propagation in bonding vehicle constructions.

Featured solutions:

Automotive Structural Adhesives

3M™ Structural Adhesive Tape SAT1010
3M™ Structural Adhesive Tape SAT1100

Hem flange bonding made clean and simple.

Body-in-white hang-on parts

Solutions for Body-in-White Hang-on Parts

< PREVIOUS VIDEO NEXT VIDEO >

Not just better bonding. A better way.
Structural adhesives from 3M are excellent for OEM operations such as hem flange bonding. Two-part structural adhesive formulations can cure at room temperature, or can be spot-cured by induction for faster lockup. There’s less heat during manufacturing, reducing the chance of panel distortion and warpage and allowing for a greater range of curing environments such as before or after e-coats. You can also eliminate curing ovens as a process step, simplifying manufacturing and contributing to sustainability and emissions goals. Plus, reduced galvanic corrosion and fewer mechanical fasteners contributes to more efficient recycling and end-of-life processes for hang-on parts.

Featured solutions:

3M™ Structural Adhesive SA9822
3M™ Structural Adhesives 9816, 9820 and 9822

Multi-material bonding with less heat.

Strong. Lightweight. Sustainable.

Strong. Lightweight. Sustainable.

As body-in-white manufacturing trends toward the use of SMC/BMC, our cross-industry expertise allows 3M to provide 3M™ Glass Bubbles – microscopic, hollow glass microspheres that feature an extremely high strength-to-density ratio. Glass bubbles can replace heavier materials during resin production, compounding and molding without sacrificing the integrity of the panel. Glass Bubbles can reduce weight of SMC/BMC up to 45%, creating an ultralightweight composite to replace heavier steel and aluminum in body-in-white components.

Featured solutions:

3M™ Glass Bubbles for Sheet Molded Composites

We help you make it. Better.

Sustainability

Structural adhesives from 3M can also contribute to your sustainability and emissions goals. With fewer needs for curing ovens and energy-intense machinery, you can reduce heat in manufacturing to help lower emissions and energy costs as well as improve panel integrity.

Sustainability
Production efficiency

Our two-part, 3M structural adhesives for body-in-white demonstrate excellent rheology and can easily be dispensed and applied using fully automated equipment. These two-part, structural adhesives from 3M are capable of developing handling strength at room temperature or with short induction cycles, which will help to shorten process time and minimize part distortion. They are available in two-part liquid adhesives, single-layer structural epoxy adhesives in a tape format, and more. Our epoxy film tapes apply cleanly without squeeze-out, allowing for more consistent adhesive thicknesses and precise bondlines. Some adhesives expand during cure in standard e-coat ovens to provide gap filling.

Manufacturing and Assembly
Hem flange bonding

Structural adhesives from 3M are proven reliable for hem flange bonding. You can improve hem fill and reduce hem welds. 3M two-part adhesives are compatible with spot induction, so you can reduce the time and energy required for spot welding. They can also cure at room temperature without washout, reducing heat-related panel distortion. 3M adhesives and tapes designed for body-in-white are compatible with various dry film, draw and lube oils. They are also suitable for the latest techniques in metal-to-plastic injection joining.

3M™ Structural Adhesive Tape SAT1010

Need help finding the right solution?

3M is constantly working to meet the evolving challenges of automotive OEM and Tier suppliers worldwide. If you need help finding an existing solution or would like to talk about specific ideas you’re working on, get in touch with us.

CONTACT A 3M EXPERT

Explore more.

Close

All fields are required unless indicated optional
Business Email Address
First Name
Last Name
Describe your Challenge or Application
Company Name
Business Phone Number
Country/Region
Preferred Language
State or Province
Zip or Postal Code
Company Type
Job Role (Optional)
Other Job Role
Inquiry Type (Optional)
Area of Application
Application Type
Subscribe to Newsletter
Data Privacy
Marketing Consent
Profiling Consent
End Devices Consent
Consent Legal Text
3M takes your privacy seriously. 3M and its authorized third parties will use the information you provided in accordance with our Privacy Policy to send you communications which may include promotions, product information and service offers. Please be aware that this information may be stored on a server located in the U.S. If you do not consent to this use of your personal information, please do not use this system.
Submit

Our apologies...

An error has occurred while submitting. Please try again later...

Thank you!

Your form was submitted successfully

Close

Sign Up for The Science Inside

All fields are required unless indicated optional

Business Email Address
First Name
Last Name
Company Name
Country/Region
Job Role
3M takes your privacy seriously. 3M and its authorized third parties will use the information you provided in accordance with our Privacy Policy to send you communications which may include promotions, product information and service offers. Please be aware that this information may be stored on a server located in the U.S. If you do not consent to this use of your personal information, please do not use this system.
Submit

Thank You

We are excited to share with you 'The Science Inside' - our monthly newsletter featuring the latest trends, technologies and applications. You will receive an email confirmation momentarily. View previous article editions.

Help us create a more personalized experience for you by selecting your interest areas (below). Stay tuned for 3M product news and updates…

Communication Topics

Business email address
Battery & Powertrain

We put some of our most enduring and successful core technologies into today's ePowertrain/battery solutions.

Body-in-White & Chassis

Enabling lightweighting, dissimilar material bonding and structural integrity with precision and efficiency. Help improve ride quality with 3M wheel weights, adhesives, friction shims and damping materials.

Exteriors & Glass

Solutions to help you design lightweight, stylish vehicles that convey your most innovative ideas from the first.

HMI, Sensors & Electronics

Technologies for better viewability and improved information delivery; Tape-attached brackets for camera, humidity control and mirror sensors; Electronic control design solutions and more.

Interior

Creating a more comfortable ride for passengers and drivers – solutions in thermal management, NVH, styling and VOC.

Propulsion & Emission Solutions

From emission control to power density and heat management, 3M has solutions for EV, HEV and ICE powertrains.

Please check at least one area of interest.

3M takes your privacy seriously. 3M and its authorized third parties will use the information you provided in accordance with our Privacy Policy to send you communications which may include promotions, product information and service offers. Please be aware that this information may be stored on a server located in the U.S. If you do not consent to this use of your personal information, please do not use this system.

Submit Your Interests

Our Apologies...