3M is a major global supplier of materials and finished parts to automotive manufacturers and their suppliers. 3M produces over 1,000 different products for the automotive industry used in the following application areas—Body, Paint, Chassis, Powertrain, Exterior and Interior. These solutions are found both on the vehicle as well as in the manufacturing plant.
It all started with sandpaper—3M's first product. 3M revolutionized the process of automotive surface preparation when it introduced its 3M™ Wetordry™ Abrasive in 1915. And, in 1926, 3M invented masking tape specifically to enable automotive paint shops to achieve razor-sharp separations in two-tone paint jobs.
In the decades since, these early products were followed by a diverse array of innovations including:
- Acoustic insulation products
- Acrylic foam and very high bond tapes
- Adhesives and other fastening systems
- Cabin air filtration products
- Catalytic converters mounting systems
- Decorative and protective film products
- Electrical and lighting components
- Fluoroelastomers for hoses, seals and gaskets
- Identification products for badging and nameplates
- Microspheres for lightening plastics
- Noise damping products
- Plant safety and environmental products
- Security labeling and identification materials
These products are manufactured and supplied by several 3M business units organized as 3M Automotive to serve automotive manufacturers and supplier customers. 3M operates automotive innovation centers around the world, offering sales and technical support for automotive manufacturing operations.
If you have product specification responsibilities for an automotive manufacturer or tier supplier and would like more detailed information about 3M solutions for a wide variety of automotive design, engineering and manufacturing challenges, please Contact Us by e-mail.
