CGR Products converts 3M™ Thinsulate™ for a variety of markets, from die cut thermal insulation parts for apparel, to heat sealed acoustic insulation for automotive.
3M™ Thinsulate™ is a form of synthetic fibers, thinner in diameter than polyester fibers that make up thermal and acoustic insulation.
3M™ Thinsulate™ was first introduced in 1979 and is widely used in apparel for items such as gloves, jackets, boots and sleeping bags. Originally designed for clothing, Thinsulate™ has also been used heavily in the automotive markets for both thermal insulation and sound dampening.
Automotive Thinsulate™
CGR Products converts high volumes of 3M™ Thinsulate™ for the automotive OEM markets. Thinsulate™ used in automobiles range from die cut panels for sound deadening of door panels, to die cut roof panels for acoustic and thermal insulation of convertible tops.
3M™automotive Thinsulate™ such as SM600L provides a reliable acoustic solution for various automotive applications. Incorporating only a few square centimeters of the material into components during fabrication greatly improves sound insulation and allows for greater efficiency. The benefits of 3M™ Thinsulate™ for automotive applications include:
- Quieter cars — Providing excellent acoustic absorption, especially for middle- to high-frequency ranges, 3M™ Thinsulate™ allows for overall quieter vehicle operation.
- Lighter cars — Made of lightweight polyester and polypropylene non-woven fibers, 3M™ Thinsulate™ can be used to fabricate lightweight automotive components without sacrificing quality.
- Easy bonding — This versatile material can be easily attached using ultrasonic welding, double-sided tape, or mechanical clips.
- Resistance to moisture and mildew — Absorbing minimal moisture, 3M™ Thinsulate™ is water repellent and mold resistant, eliminating the risk of odor and obviating the need for additional waterproof layers.
Heat Sealed Thinsulate™
CGR Products supplies custom cut 3M™ Thinsulate™ to the automotive industry utilizing a heat seal around the perimeter of the part. Some of the benefits of a heat seal include:
- Preventing contaminants into the part. If your part is located in an area prone to dust, dirt or any other foreign contaminants, a heat seal is an ideal way to keep much of the substance out of the part.
- CGR can supply custom cut Thinsulate™ in a variety of ways, such as individual parts stacked in a box, or perforated on a roll. If a heat seal is used, the parts will retain their shape and remain stable dimensionally.
- Visually Appealing. If you have a die cut part that is visible, you may be interested in a heat sealed edge. This type of edge will provide a more finished look as opposed to an open, fibrous part.
Apparel Thinsulate
3M™ Thinsulate™ is lightweight and used in the appeal industry that has many benefits such as flame resistance, lightweight, and water resistance. It helps trap heat generated from the body while allowing moisture to escape. Some key factors of Thinsulate™ products are.
- Lightweight – Very fine microfibers help trap and hold body heat.
- Flame Resistant – Uses flame-resistant fibers. Specifically designed to provide warmth in environments where accidental exposure to flames, heat or electric arc can occur. Designed for use in oil, gas and electrical environments.
- Down Alternative – A loose fill insulation that acts like down when dry and is warmer than down when wet.
- Water Resistant – Made from hydrophobic fibers. It keeps users comfortable and dry with less weight.
Thinsulate™ Die Cutting
At CGR Products, we are proud to be a Preferred Converter for 3M™. A major benefit of CGR Products die cutting Thinsulate ™ is to allow manufacturers to concentrate on the end product while we utilize our machinery for maximum yield and throughput.
For High Volumes and large parts, CGR Products uses 2 Bruno die cutting presses capable of 84″ x 75″ per hit. This large format can easily accommodate dies of multiple patterns that maximize savings. The automation of these presses greatly reduces cutting times of a typical knife cutter found in many industries.
CGR Products offers Rotary Die Cutting for high volumes and heat sealed Thinsulate™. Heated dies can also be used to seal two or more layers of material together. Depending on the part size, we can incorporate other cutting capabilities such as automated die cut stamping. — visit our custom cutting page to learn more.
Performance Data and More
For more information about 3M™ products, access our Material Libary and click the 3M™ header with technical data, performance information and more.
