3M™ Scotch-Weld™ Structural Adhesive Film AF 30
Harmonization Code : 3506.91.90.99 | Prepared glues and other prepared adhesives, not elsewhere specified or included; products suitable for use as glues or adhesives, put up for retail sale as glues or adhesives, not exceeding a net weight of 1 kg ; Adhesives based on polymers of headings 3901 to 3913 or on rubber; Other ; Other
Main features
- Thermosetting Structural Adhesive Film
- 5, 10, and 12 mil Thicknesses
- Flexible Extremely-Low-Flow Film
Product Description
3M™ Scotch-Weld™ Structural Adhesive Film AF 30 is a light-brown, unsupported thermosetting adhesive film developed for structural bonding of metals and high-strength epoxy and phenolic laminates. Available in nominal cured thicknesses of 5, 10 and 12 mil, the film combines documented shear and peel performance with flexibility, toughness and extremely low flow. It can be pressure-, heat- or solvent-tacked before assembly. For metal bonding, 3M™ Scotch-Weld™ Structural Adhesive Primer EC-1660 is a documented compatible primer. Cure performance depends on bondline temperature, time and uniformly applied pressure, so the bonding process should be established for the specific materials, equipment and required joint properties.
Key features
- Unsupported thermosetting film: supplied as a flexible film with a protective liner for controlled placement in structural bonding operations.
- Three nominal cured thicknesses: 5 mil (0.127 mm), 10 mil (0.254 mm) and 12 mil (0.305 mm).
- Documented shear and peel performance: laboratory data are reported for primed aluminum joints under defined cure and test conditions.
- Flexible, tough and very low flow: supports controlled bondline placement while limiting adhesive movement during cure.
- Multiple tacking options: may be pressure-, heat- or solvent-tacked in position before assembly and cure.
- Compatible primer system: 3M™ Scotch-Weld™ Structural Adhesive Primer EC-1660 is documented for use with AF 30 in metal bonding.
Applications / Suitable for
- Structural bonding of metals and high-strength epoxy or phenolic laminates.
- Aircraft component bonding where the documented substrate, preparation, pressure and cure requirements are appropriate.
- Helicopter component bonding and other transportation assemblies requiring evaluation of a heat-cured structural adhesive film.
TDS, SDS & Technical Documents
Technical Specifications
General Properties
Additional Information
3M™ Scotch-Weld™ Structural Adhesive Film AF 30
An unsupported, thermosetting adhesive film for structural bonding of metals and high-strength epoxy and phenolic laminates. AF 30 combines high shear and peel strength with flexibility, toughness, and extremely low flow, and is supplied in three nominal cured thicknesses for controlled adhesive-layer selection.
Flexible, unsupported structural adhesive film protected by a removable liner.
Film construction and handling characteristics
Available film constructions
The values below are representative or typical and should not be used for specification purposes. Nominal caliper is reported in the cured state.
| Property | 5 mil | 10 mil | 12 mil |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form | Flexible unsupported film protected by a suitable liner | ||
| Color | Light brown | Light brown | Light brown |
| Nominal cured caliper | 0.005 in (0.127 mm) |
0.010 in (0.254 mm) |
0.012 in (0.305 mm) |
| Weight | 0.023–0.035 lb/ft² (113–172 g/m²) |
0.0500–0.0630 lb/ft² (245–309 g/m²) |
0.063–0.075 lb/ft² (309–368 g/m²) |
| Volatile content | Less than 6.0% | Less than 6.0% | Less than 6.0% |
| Shrinkage | 3% maximum | 5% maximum | 5% maximum |
Volatile content was measured on a 2–4 g sample cured for 1 hour at 350°F (177°C). Shrinkage was measured after 24 hours at 75°F (24°C) in a horizontal position.
Control surface preparation, pressure, heat-up rate, and cure
AF 30 requires clean bonding surfaces and a controlled heated cure. Time, bondline temperature, pressure, heating rate, substrate preparation, and curing equipment can affect final bond properties. Application-specific trials are recommended to establish suitable conditions.
Typical platen-press relationship between bondline temperature rise rate and cure pressure.
Film application sequence
Follow the current product packaging, Technical Data Sheet, and Safety Data Sheet for storage and handling requirements. The SDS identifies the product for industrial or occupational use, directs storage away from heat and amines, and requires suitable exposure controls and personal protective equipment. Provide a ventilated curing enclosure exhausted outdoors or to a suitable emission-control device.
Temperature-dependent aluminum overlap shear
Typical 5 mil AF 30 results on EC-1660-primed 2024-T3 clad aluminum. Specimens used a 1 in (25.4 mm) width and 1/2 in (12.7 mm) overlap. The published cure applied 150 psi (1.034 MPa), a 200°F/min (111°C/min) bondline temperature rise, and 60 ± 1 minutes at 350 ± 2°F (177 ± 1.1°C).
| Test temperature | MMM-A-132 Type I minimum | Average shear strength | Failure type |
|---|---|---|---|
| −67 ± 2°F (−55 ± 1.1°C) | 2500 psi (17.2 MPa) | 3400 psi (23.4 MPa) | Cohesive |
| 75 ± 2°F (24 ± 1.1°C) | 2500 psi (17.2 MPa) | 4000 psi (27.6 MPa) | Cohesive |
| 180 ± 2°F (82 ± 1.1°C) | 1250 psi (8.6 MPa) | 2350 psi (16.2 MPa) | Cohesive |
| 250°F (121°C) | Not applicable | 1400 psi (9.6 MPa) | Cohesive |
| 300°F (149°C) | Not applicable | 1100 psi (7.6 MPa) | Cohesive |
Laboratory results are representative or typical only and are not product specifications or universal joint-design values.
Aluminum T-peel performance
Typical 5 mil AF 30 results on EC-1660-primed 2024-T3 clad aluminum specimens peeled at 90° to the bondline with a jaw-separation rate of 20 in/min (508 mm/min).
| Test temperature | T-peel |
|---|---|
| −67°F (−55°C) | 8 lb/in (35 N/25 mm) |
| 75°F (24°C) | 35 lb/in (156 N/25 mm) |
| 180°F (82°C) | 18 lb/in (80 N/25 mm) |
Environmental and sustained-load test evidence
Published MMM-A-132 Type I Class 2 data for 10 mil AF 30 with EC-1660 document tensile-shear performance after controlled exposure to salt-water spray, elevated-temperature humidity, tap water, JP-4 fuel, anti-icing fluid, hydraulic oil, and Type III hydrocarbon fluid. The results apply to the stated primed aluminum specimens, exposure periods, cure conditions, and test configuration.
These laboratory results do not establish universal chemical compatibility, service life, qualification, or performance for other substrates, geometries, preparations, cure cycles, or exposure conditions.
Supported bonding contexts
Evaluate AF 30 for your structural bonding process
Contact Krayden to discuss film thickness, substrate preparation, EC-1660 primer use, pressure and cure requirements, technical-document review, sample availability, and application-specific testing for aircraft, helicopter, or other transportation assemblies.
