Sur-Seal & 3M: Working Together to Deliver the Best Electrical Solutions

Our Collaboration with 3M Strengthens Us and Adds More Value for Our Customers

At Sur-Seal, we highly value the relationships we build with others. Whether it's with our customers, suppliers, or partners, our success relies heavily on strong teamwork, clear communication, and a commitment to excellence.

Our long-standing partnership with the team at 3M Electrical Materials Division (EMD) is proof of the power of these kinds of alliances. Curtis Frye from 3M and Sur-Seal’s Jay Wolfenbarger share insights about this key relationship, especially within the automotive and Electric Vehicle (EV) sectors.

3M Electrical Materials Division: Electrical Tape Solutions

“Our Electrical Materials Division provides solutions for traditional transformers, motors, appliances, EVs, automotive, and certain electronics. We specialize in flexible insulation and heat shrink tubing, such as covering lead wires on devices or appliances. We offer liquid or powder resins to cover stacks... and some electronic specialty products in general,” Curtis shares.

Insulating tapes are central to 3M EMD’s product line—essential for motors, transformers, and electronics.

“We have numerous types of electrical tapes—or insulating tapes—with many options for customization—most commonly, our customers choose discreet, solid, or flexible paper. We focus a lot on enhanced or modified materials to meet specific needs or applications,” adds Curtis.

3M Insulating and Conductive Tapes Guide 

3M Electrical Tapes Product Guide

Three Key Factors in Choosing Electrical Tape

Picking the right tape for your application involves balancing the adhesive system, the backing, and the thermal value. The aim is to find the perfect match for form, function, and process.

1. Adhesive System: Silicone, acrylic, and rubber each bring unique benefits like temperature resistance and tackiness.
2. Backing: The choice of backing material is crucial for durability and suitability for the application.
3. Thermal Value: As per UL’s thermal classes, tapes must withstand different thermal environments.

It’s also worth noting that the features of any given tape interact in a give-and-take relationship. In other words, one quality in abundance will offset another. Therefore, to pick the right product, it’s essential to understand the priorities of your application in terms of function.

At 3M, our EMD experts are here to help you through this decision-making process.

You can start by exploring our product catalog, which includes questions for application consideration when determining your ideal product.

How to Select the Ideal Electrical Tape for Your Needs

While we encourage customers to initiate the selection process early, it’s important to note that it requires a multi-layered approach involving the following considerations:

• Application
• Temperature
• Mechanical challenges
• Agency approvals

We always recommend involving your 3M and Sur-Seal experts from the beginning to identify a potential solution. Why? By getting us involved as early as possible in the process, we can ensure that design considerations, properties it needs to stand up to, and application compatibility are all addressed from the outset, saving you time and money.

Questions to Ask During the Tape Material Selection Process:

• What material or substrate does the tape need to insulate or apply to?
• Who applies it? How will it be applied?
• What’s required?
• What are the operating temperatures?
• Is flexibility required? If so, how much?
• Will secondary cooling be needed?
• Is there a risk of splash or exposure? Is the exposure continuous, submerged, or occasional?
• Does the product need to include a resin, powder, or coating to bond?
• Is it smooth or rough with burs?
• Does it require chemical resistance?

Another vital factor is the lifespan of the unit. In a world where power demands are rising and connected devices use more power, reducing heat generation becomes a primary concern. Thermal conductivity and the inherent moisture content of materials play significant roles in this context.

In transformers, for example, the ideal material can increase load capacity without a corresponding increase in temperature. Standards such as 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 resources, offering guidance based on application and mechanical needs. “Our tapes are designed with higher levels of stretch while maintaining their hold,” Curtis adds, highlighting their suitability for specialized applications in the military, aviation, electronics, shielding, and motor products.

To assist in the selection process, 3M offers testing services.

Testing as a Way to Determine Insulation Materials

“Understanding the specifications is crucial for holding, insulating, or mechanical applications. We can provide samples for you to test,” Curtis explains. This testing phase often reveals higher priority needs, allowing for adjustments based on initial feedback. Curtis emphasizes the importance of understanding the specific demands of each application.

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 time frames?
• Mechanical or winding stresses, such as folds, sharp edges, and burrs
• How will the material be integrated into your equipment?
• Is the material under compression? Is it sealed, encapsulated, or saturated?
• How does it respond to thermal stresses?

“Test methods are a critical component for your consideration,” Curtis notes, suggesting that clients consult their 3M or Sur-Seal expert for more detailed understanding.

Thorough testing allows us to consider aspects like heat effect, voltage, and mechanical stress. The goal of testing is to find the ideal product based on the desired lifespan of the unit and by balancing various properties.

Sur-Seal & 3M: A Model Partnership

The 3M and Sur-Seal partnership is the cornerstone of our success. Relationships like these provide excellent value for us and our customers.

As a distributor or converter, our role at Sur-Seal ensures the value-added benefits of flexible terms, inventory management, and the handling of scheduling, particularly for smaller orders.

Additionally, we 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 utilization and minimal waste.

Beyond Electrical Materials: Sur-Seal & 3M as Your Strategic Partners

The advantages of working with distributors and converters like Sur-Seal go beyond logistics. While we offer a range of customizable options for your product, our engineering and consulting services are part of your project. We conduct thorough walk-through evaluations of processes, providing recommendations for improvement.

This approach is particularly beneficial for emerging Electric Vehicle (EV) manufacturers worldwide who seek access to major Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and manufacturers. Our intimate network of individuals and entities allows us to offer services like die-cutting and managing the terms of engagement.

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, especially evident in our engineering solutions team based in Cincinnati. Our team works closely with 3M to rapidly prototype solutions, demonstrating the Sur-Seal commitment to meeting customer needs and providing solutions efficiently.

3M, with its robust technology development and applications groups across the US, Europe, and Asia, stays abreast of global industry 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 suggest using 3M’s product selection guides as a starting point to begin selecting project materials, followed by engaging their technical team for more nuanced solutions.

The guides provide step-by-step instructions for asking the necessary questions to narrow your selection to the ideal choices.

3M Insulating and Conductive Tapes Guide

Jay emphasizes using 3M’s ‘Protect and Insulate’ guide to make informed choices in insulating and conductive tapes.

As always, your 3M and Sur-Seal team members are standing by, ready to engage with you as early as possible, ensuring you get 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