Automotive: Weatherstrip New Product Introduction
3M3MAutomotive
Weatherstrip New Product Introduction
3M™ Acrylic Plus Weatherstrip Tape WT4112
© 3M 2007. All Rights Reserved.
3M Automotive: Weatherstrip New Product Introduction
Situation Analysis
 3M Automotive is a leading supplier of weatherstrip
tapes used by automotive manufacturers around the
world.
 Some automotive manufacturers are moving toward
alternative paints that demonstrate:


Low surface energy
Scratch/mar resistance
Tape products that are currently available in
the market do not bond satisfactorily to some
of these new paint systems.
3M Automotive: Weatherstrip New Product Introduction
3M Automotive’s Objective
3M Automotive continuously improves its product portfolio
to meet the evolving needs of automotive manufacturers &
key suppliers globally by introducing new products that
adhere well to a wide variety of paint systems.
3M Automotive: Weatherstrip New Product Introduction
Product Features
3M™ Acrylic Plus Weatherstrip Tape WT4112
Excellent initial tack to painted substrates compared to existing products.
Improved stress relaxation (compared to 3M ST1200 tape) in the tape core
to withstand a significant amount of stress.

Required performance in more challenging applications, e.g., primary seals
Bonds to a variety of paints including the new low surface energy paints.
Less sensitive to cold temperatures than existing AFT type products.
•
•
Suitable for the “just-in-time” business model used by many auto manufacturers
Heaters on the assembly line may not be required.
Black color

Aesthetically pleasing
3M Automotive: Weatherstrip New Product Introduction
WT
4 1 12
WT4112
1.2mm Caliper/Thickness
Gen IV
WT = Weatherstrip Tape
3M WT4112 tape is a new weatherstrip tape using 3M Acrylic
Plus Tape technology
- Heat-activated adhesive technology
- 1.2 mm caliper/thickness
- Black color
- Optimized for sealing applications
Designed for new paint systems and demanding applications
- Primary door seals
- Seals on new scratch- and mar-resistant paints
3M Automotive: Weatherstrip New Product Introduction
3M WT4112 Tape: Product Construction
Tape core optimized for
weatherstrip applications.
Relaxes and accommodates
complex forces.
Heat-activated adhesive on seal side
is the same heat-activated adhesive
as 3M ST1200 Tape and 3M 5404
Tape products.
Standard E2 Heat-Activated Adhesive
New
Blended Acrylic Core
New JL-1 Paint Side Adhesive
New KL-1 Low Release Liner
Not Drawn to Scale
New liner to provide proper release
characteristics; similar to 3M
ST1200 Tape
3M WT4112 Tape adhesive on
paint side is the same adhesive as
3M EX4011 Tape
3M Automotive: Weatherstrip New Product Introduction
90 Degree Peel Data
Aluminum to Uregloss
(Low Surface Energy Paint System used in Shreveport)
70
N/12.7mm
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
20 min RT
72 Hr RT
5404
Accelerated
Age
ST1200
Mineral
Spirits
WT4112
Cycle
GM Spec*
Humidity
3M Automotive: Weatherstrip New Product Introduction
90 Degree Peel
EPDM to DCT5555 - Traditional Paint System
80.00
70.00
N/12.7mm
60.00
50.00
40.00
30.00
20.00
10.00
0.00
72 Hr RT
5404
250 hr 175F
ST1200
WT4112
250 hr Humidity
DCX Spec
3M Automotive: Weatherstrip New Product Introduction
Background, New Test Method
The “Smiley Test”
1.
Realistic (complex) stresses
2.
Fail in a reasonable time (high stresses)
3.
Differentiate by time to failure
4.
Extensive use of customer’s seals in 3M tape
development work, not EPDM flat stock.
Pluck/Peel
Forces
Link to “Smiley Test” video
Elongation
(Stretch) Stress
3M Automotive: Weatherstrip New Product Introduction
Product Overview: Target Customer Profiles
Target customer #1 would be… an Automotive OEM
developing a “Primary Door Seal” application.
Target customer #2 would be… an Automotive OEM or
Weatherstrip Vendor developing a “demanding” application
and 3M’s current products are not performing as desired.
Target customer #3 would be… an Automotive OEM or
Weatherstrip Vendor developing an application involving a
“difficult to bond to” paint and 3M’s current products are not
performing as desired.
Target customer #4 would be… an Automotive OEM
developing a “Global Vehicle Platform”
that will be assembled in multiple countries
with a variety of paints and
demanding a Global Product from their tier suppliers.
3M Automotive: Weatherstrip New Product Introduction
Weatherstrip Vendor VOC
Customer A
Customer A is currently using 3M 5404 Tape for a seal
frame for the sliding back window on full-size GMT900
pickups, manufactured at Arlington, Janesville and Mexico.
We substituted 3M WT4112 Tape without adjusting the
settings on the machine, and it performed the same as
the 3M 5404 Tape through the die cutting, bonding, and
tabbing with 3M 5400 tabbing tape. Tape bonding to the
frames was complete. The tabs appeared to bond
acceptably and as well as the tab bonds to 3M 5404 Tape.
Shari Loushin & Brad Babb
3M Automotive: Weatherstrip New Product Introduction
Weatherstrip Vendor VOC
Customer B
We were able to fully bond 0.5” of 3M WT4112 Tape on 3
‘Customer B’ profile samples. Failure mode of tape to rubber was
rubber tear. Customer commented that “that is what we like to
see.”
Rob was impressed with the tape demo (PSA versions of 3M’s
WT, ST and 5404 tapes on Shreveport paint).
Comments from customer included:
•
Wants to see a tape that sticks better on powder coats
used in RV and large truck market. Thinks 3M WT4112
Tape may be the answer for those applications.
•
WT would be appropriate in applications where the seal
is put under immediate stress.
Shari Loushin & Brad Babb
3M Automotive: Weatherstrip New Product Introduction
Weatherstrip Vendor VOC
Customer C
First lamination trials were running quite good, without changing
any settings and parameters (same parameters than 3M ST1200
Tape). There was solely one small issue with a so called "tunnel"
effect, which was resolved by turning up the air temperature and the
pressure a little bit.
‘Customer C’ was very satisfied with that trials.
We took some meters of laminated material with us and will perform
some testings according BMW spec. We will keep you updated.
Kind regards,
Marcus Kucharz
3M Automotive: Weatherstrip New Product Introduction
FAQs for 3M WT4112 Tape
 What splicing tape should be used?
3M WT4112 Tape is spliced the same as 3M ST1200 Tape.
3M recommends using 3M Splicing Tape 253 with 3M
WT4112 Tape.
 What tabbing tape should be used?
3M WT4112 Tape is tabbed the same as 3M ST1200 Tape.
3M recommends using 3M Heat Bond Tabbing Tape 5300
with 3M WT4112 Tape.
 How does it slit compared to 3M ST1200 Tape?
Internal and external slitting trials have indicated that this
material behaves in a manner very similar to 3M ST1200
Tape. Customers used to processing 3M ST1200 Tape
should be able to process 3M WT4112 Tape with at most
minimal equipment adjustments.
3M Automotive: Weatherstrip New Product Introduction
FAQs for 3M WT4112 Tape
 What kind of processing changes are required compared to 3M
ST1200 Tape set-up?
3M WT4112 Tape contains the same heat bond adhesive as does 3M
ST1200 and 5404 Tapes. Customers with experience laminating these
heat bond tapes should be able to laminate 3M WT4112 Tape with
minimal equipment adjustments.
 What other thicknesses are available?
As of June 2007 there is only the 1.2mm caliper product available. Other
product thicknesses will be considered based on business justification.
 What is the PSA equivalent?
3M EX4011 Tape contains the same adhesive for paint adhesion as does
3M WT4112 Tape and the core properties are similar. 3M EX4011 Tape is
expected to perform in many sealing applications where a heat-activated
tape cannot be used.
3M Automotive: Weatherstrip New Product Introduction
FAQs for 3M WT4112 Tape
 Will there be any products being phased out?
No products (i.e., 3M ST1200 or 5404 Tapes) will be phased
out because of the introduction of 3M WT4112 Tape.
 What is the pricing of 3M WT4112 Tape?
3M WT4112 Tape is to be considered a premium product for
niche applications and will be priced 5-15% above 3M
ST1200 Tape pricing levels.
3M Automotive: Weatherstrip New Product Introduction
Questions???
3M Automotive: Weatherstrip New Product Introduction
Thank You