Lightweighting
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Reducing Vehicle Weight with 3M Automotive Technology
When consumers look to buy a new car or truck, fuel economy is often at the top of their lists. This has made “lightweighting” – vehicle weight reduction or mass reduction – a major objective for the automotive industry. Lightweighting technologies by 3M make it easier for you to reach your weight reduction goals affordably and without sacrificing performance.
Tough challenges face today’s manufacturers and suppliers
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Whether you’re a manufacturer or auto industry supplier, there is pressure to reduce vehicle weight and improve fuel economy – all while keeping performance at its peak and your manufacturing costs in check, including:
- The 2025 Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standard of 54.5 MPG for cars and trucks in the United States
- The need to reduce mass in hybrid and electric vehicles to achieve maximum efficiency and range
- The challenge of reducing weight while retaining or improving performance and affordability
3M lightweighting solutions are stronger, lighter and quicker helping you reduced fuel usage and increase range.
Lightweighting Survey Reinforces Technology Trends
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If you’re in product development, weight reduction is already on your mind. And it’s going be more of a concern in the years ahead, according to a 2012 online survey the Society of Automotive Engineers’ (SAE) members conducted by Signet Research for 3M and SAE's Automotive Engineering International magazine. Here are the technology trends they believe will have the most impact in helping automakers meet fuel-economy targets.
Resources
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Less Metal, Lighter Ride with Acrylic Foam Tape SealsThe metal used in door and trunk seals adds significantly to the overall weight of your vehicle. Now, there’s a new way to attach the seal to the flange. The 3M tape system reduces weight in three ways:
- Removes metal from the extrusion
- Allows reduction of flange size around the body opening
- Enables use of lower gauge steel or aluminum body panels
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Case Study: Reducing Weight in Plastic PartsA global supplier of interior plastic trim components was facing a dilemma: How to reduce weight without sacrificing mechanical performance or aesthetics. Learn how Hanil E-Hwa and 3M teamed up to meet greenhouse gas reduction targets, reducing key component weight by 5-13% by replacing conventional talc filler with glass bubbles in a proprietary polypropylene compound.
