3M™ Dual Lock™ Reclosable Fasteners: Revolutionizing the Auto Industry with Debondable Interior Solutions

The ‘piece part’ versions of the reclosable fastener are designed to be attached to a variety of substrates without the use of adhesive. The fastener can then be mated to a second Dual Lock fastener attached to a piece of trim or other part – when the two fasteners mate, the two parts are firmly secured. When two pieces of Dual Lock Reclosable Fasteners are pressed together, the stems flex and the mushroom heads slide past each other. After passing the opposing mating piece, the stems snap back into their original position and the opposing mushroom heads interlock. These fasteners can provide high tensile strength but can be opened by simply cleaving or peeling open the closure. Alignment and re-alignment are easy, and no special tools are required for installation.

3M Dual Lock piece parts are more than just a fastening technology; it enables easy disassembly, an essential requirement of circular design principles. The uniqueness of 3M Dual Lock lies in its "Debond-on-Demand" feature. Unlike traditional adhesives or fasteners that often require time-consuming removal processes, Dual Lock can be debonded and reattached with minimal effort. This characteristic has far-reaching implications, especially in automotive interior applications.

Product Features
 

• Interlocking mushroom-shaped heads snap together for a strong, fast and easy attachment
• Can be opened and re-closed in high cycle applications
• Provides hidden component attachment, preventing disruption on the show surface
• Strong holding power helps reduce rattling and vibration of components
• Does not require any special tools or processing equipment for installation
• Audibly snaps together to form a secure, dependable and repeatable attachment
• Mates with other stem densities to achieve a variety of engagement and disengagement forces

In the context of the automotive industry, where vehicles have finite lifespans, 3M Dual Lock's ability to be easily opened and closed becomes invaluable. When it's time for a vehicle to retire or undergo a refurbishment process, 3M Dual Lock piece parts enable the simple removal and replacement of interior components with minimal effort. This can help reduce material waste by enabling disassembly of components for separation into various waste streams and/or reuse purposes. All of which contributes to a more circular economy within the automotive sector.