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3M™ Friction Shims
- 3M ID B49000165
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Highlights
- Offers up to 5X increase in the coefficient of static friction even with dissimilar counterparts
- Allows same bolted connection to transmit significantly higher torque loads
- Increases design freedom by enabling higher loads and shear forces without the need to change parts or component sizes
- Simple drop-in solution typically requires no modifications to component design
- Enables downsized components by using smaller and lighter bolts and fasteners
3M™ Friction Shims consist of a nickel-coated steel substrate with partially embedded diamond particles. When placed between two mating surfaces in a bolted connection and applied with pressure, the diamonds “bite” into each surface to create a microform fit. This allows for a coefficient of static friction up to 5× greater than in a conventional bolted connection.
Higher Torque. Same Bolt Connection.
In automotive engineering, wind energy and many other industries, there is a general trend towards compact, lightweight designs with maximum power density – and high reliability. However, in order to transfer high loads in friction joints such as shaft-collar or bolt connections, the size or number of components typically needs to be increased. 3M™ Friction Shims offer a proven and cost-effective alternative: by increasing the coefficient of friction between components, they allow transmission of up to 4x higher torques – without requiring modification to the joint design.
Proven Reliability in a Variety of Industries
We have supplied millions of 3M friction shims for demanding automotive and motor sports applications, power generation and other industries where components must be reliably joined together to transmit forces and torques. Our technical specialists have many years of industrial experience, and conduct in-house testing to meet our customers' specific requirements. Thanks to this expertise and extensive testing, we have over 100 million friction shims in use with no reported failures in the field.
Automotive Applications
- Central bolt designs in crankshafts and camshafts
- Continuous variable timing
- Balancer shaft modules
- Shaft-to-collar connections
Suggested applications
- Automotive: Guard against shear force in the chassis and axles. Optimize power density in your ICE, hybrid and electric vehicles. 3M™ Friction Shims help OEMs strengthen the load-bearing capacity of static joints and boost torque transfer in torsional joints. We offer various grades that work on multiple mating surfaces such as aluminum, e-coated (cathodic-dip-coated), painted and composite-material surfaces.
- Robotics: Build a better robot. 3M™ Friction Shims fit within narrow engineering tolerances to help reinforce and protect precision components such as wrists, end-effectors, joints, links and grippers. By strengthening joints, 3M friction shims can help you enable smaller design size contact areas and thus smaller part dimensions. This helps reduce inertia and greatly facilitates fast and nimble robotic devices working in tight spaces
- Wind Energy: Optimize performance and reduce weight at the same time. 3M™ Friction Shims are used in flanges, bolted connections on the bed plate, fasteners, brakes and other wind turbine components. They can help you boost torque transfer in wind turbine designs while downsizing components and achieving substantial weight savings. This helps you meet restrictive size requirements, facilitate transport and reduce overall costs
- Aerospace: From airplanes to satellite systems and beyond, 3M™ Friction Shims go where the job is. They can withstand extreme conditions to help protect critical joints in aircraft structures and engines from loosening, fatigue, slippage and failure. In satellite systems, 3M friction shims can be used in the satellite bus, rotary actuators, robotic arms, antenna systems and more.
Typical properties
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