Q: Functionality and durability

Based on our current knowledge, the following functionality and durability can be expected from 3M Thermoscript foils. Generally, not less than the following times with vertical outdoor weathering, if the foils have been properly processed and applied according to 3M recommendations: Durability Outdoor use: 2-3 years Indoor use: virtually unlimited Shelf life 2 years Recommended storage conditions 23°C / 50% relative humidity. Storage of film/label rolls in polybags is recommended.

Q: Processing

Printing Screen / Letterpress / Flexo / Offset printing processes A color qualification test before series production is recommended. Note: It is advisable to test the base print for chemical resistance if necessary! Thermal transfer printing The special surface coating of 3M Thermoscript films Series 350E is very well suited for post-labeling using the thermal transfer printing process. The optical appearance and durability of the post-labeling depend on the ribbon used. To achieve an optimal print image, the printing speed and the transfer temperature of the printhead may need to be varied. Die-cutting Sharp knives, minimal web tension, and the use of double-sided siliconized liner are recommended to prevent the effects of possible adhesive bleed. Substrate pretreatment / Bonding See processing information KG-054

Q: Adhesive strength

Substrate 76745 / 7868E 7868EC / 76605(C) 7871E / 7871EC / 7872E / 7872EC / 7876E / 7876EC Aluminum 5.9 6.1 9.4 Stainless steel 6.6 7.2 11.0 Polycarbonate 5.8 5.3 8.5 Phenolic resin 5.4 5.5 8.9 ABS 5.2 5.8 8.2 Polystyrene 4.8 4.9 7.5 Polypropylene 4.8 4.8 7.3 HD polyethylene 3.0 3.3 5.1 LD polyethylene 2.8 3.8 5.8 Smooth powder coating 5.6 6.0 9.2 Measured according to Finat Test Method FTM 2 after 72 h storage at 70 °C. The stated adhesive strength values are average values. They are not suitable for specifications.

Q: Resistance

Resistance to Climatic Stress SFW 0.2 S DIN 50018 Stress 2 cycles no change. Foil bonded to stainless steel, tested with 72 h storage in standard climate 23/50, DIN 50014. Resistance to Chemicals and Solvents The foils are resistant to most mineral oils and greases, fuels, aliphatic solvents, weak acids, salts and alkalis, such as: Loading agent Loading time Result Heptane 4 h no complaints Petroleum 4 h no complaints Diesel 4 h no complaints Engine oil SAE 15W40 4 h no adverse effect Brake fluid DOT 4 1 h no adverse effect Windshield cleaner 4 h no complaints IPA 4 h no complaints Toluene 1 h no adverse effect MEK 1 h no adverse effect Industrial cleaner (lemon) 4 h no complaints Pril 4 h no complaints Acid (PH 4) 4 h no complaints Lye (PH10) 4 h no adverse effect Foil bonded to stainless steel, tested after 24 h storage in standard climate 23/50. The evaluation was carried out 1 hour after removing the samples from the test liquid containers. Low-temperature Resistance 3M 76605, 10 mm * 25 mm, was bonded to polypropylene ultracentrifuge tubes and glass tubes, and then stored for 4 hours at -196 °C in liquid nitrogen. 3M 76605 in 10 mm * 5 mm, was bonded to Nunc Cryovials and then stored for 2 months at -20 °C, -80 °C, and -196 °C. All bonded labels subsequently showed no changes after warming to room temperature.

Q: Specification

UL File MH18072 and CUL File MH18072 Explosion protection: 3M Thermoscript films 7871E and 7872EC are approved for use in potentially explosive atmospheres according to testing by VDE, DIN EN 50014, ATEX (Germany, Europe) and FM3600 (USA). The approvals apply in conjunction with Astromed RY and RRT thermal transfer ribbons.

Question 1

Product Description

Accepted Answer

3M Thermoscript films with adhesive series 350E solve a variety of labeling tasks. They are primarily characterized by excellent adhesion to powder-coated surfaces and slightly oily substrates. They are even UL-approved in conjunction with most powder coatings. Furthermore, they are suitable for bonding to low-energy substrates such as PE/PP. Variants with a thicker adhesive layer have proven effective on structured substrates.     3M Thermoscript films can be post-printed using thermal transfer printing. The glassine liner is particularly suitable for automatic dispensing processes. 
Brief description / Shipping labeling:
3M 7868E TT2 GW PET50-350E/20-65WG
3M 7868EC TT2 GW PET50-350E/30-65DWG
3M 7868EC TT2 GW PET50-350E/30-65DWG
3M 7871E TT2 GW PET50-350E/46-65WG
3M 7871EC TT2 GW PET50-350E/46-65DWG
3M 7872E TT2 PS PET50-350E/46-65WG
3M 7872EC TT2 PS PET50-350E/46-65DWG
3M 7876E TT2 GC PET50-350E/46-65WG
3M 7876EC TT2 GC PET50-350E/46-65DW
3M 76605 TT2 GW PET36-350E/25-65WG
3M 76605C TT2 GW PET36-350E/25-65DWG
3M 76745 TT2 PS PET50-350E/20-65WG

Question 2

Construction

Accepted Answer

Product
Color
Foil thickness in mm
Adhesive thickness in mm
Liner thickness in mm (g/m²)
Release liner

7868E
Gloss white
0,053
350E
0.030
0,056 (62)
Glassine paper, single-sided siliconized

7868EC
Gloss white
0,053
350E
0.020
0,056 (62)
Glassine paper, single-sided siliconized

7871E
Gloss white
0,053
350E
0.030
0,056 (62)
Glassine paper, double-sided siliconized

7871EC
Gloss white
0,053
3046
0.020
0,056 (62)
Glassine paper, single-sided siliconized

7872E
Gloss platinum
0,053
350E
0.030
0,056 (62)
Glassine paper, double-sided siliconized

7872EC
Gloss platinum
0,053
3046
0.020
0,056 (62)
Glassine paper, single-sided siliconized

7876E
Gloss transparent
0,053
350E
0.030
0,056 (62)
Glassine paper, double-sided siliconized

7876EC
Gloss transparent
0,053
3046
0.020
0,056 (62)
Glassine paper, single-sided siliconized

76605
Gloss white
0,036
350E
0.030
0,056 (62)
Glassine paper, double-sided siliconized

76605C
Gloss white
0,036
3025
0.020
0,056 (62)
Glassine paper, single-sided siliconized

76745
Gloss platinum
0,053
350E
0.020
0,056 (62)
Glassine paper, single-sided siliconized

Due to the aluminum metallization, the gloss platinum color is not recommended for bonding to circuit boards.

Question 3

Physical properties

Accepted Answer

Material
Polyester

Temperature resistance (bonded to aluminum)
-40°C to +150°C
no visible change

Dimensional stability (tested according to DIN 30646)
Index 02
(Shrinkage < 0.2%)

Dielectric strength (VDE 0303, T2)
Minimum value: 82.2 kV/mm
Average value: 84.1 kV/mm

Fire behavior in bonded state
Self-extinguishing after 15 seconds, does not drip

Opacity
Covers high-contrast substrate colors well

Salt spray (according to DIN 50021 SS)
150 hrs.
no adverse effect

Fungus
fungus-resistant, does not promote fungus growth

Substrate corrosion
does not cause corrosion on the bonded substrate

Adhesive
modified acrylate adhesive, Series 350E, suitable for difficult substrates such as polyethylene, polypropylene, powder coatings, and slightly oily substrates

Minimum bonding temperature
+4°C

Question 4

Functionality and durability

Accepted Answer

Based on our current knowledge, the following functionality and durability can be expected from 3M Thermoscript foils. Generally, not less than the following times with vertical outdoor weathering, if the foils have been properly processed and applied according to 3M recommendations:

Durability
Outdoor use: 2-3 years
Indoor use: virtually unlimited

Shelf life
2 years

Recommended storage conditions
23°C / 50% relative humidity. Storage of film/label rolls in polybags is recommended.

Question 5

Processing

Accepted Answer

Printing
Screen / Letterpress / Flexo / Offset printing processes
A color qualification test before series production is recommended.
Note: It is advisable to test the base print for chemical resistance if necessary!

Thermal transfer printing
The special surface coating of 3M Thermoscript films Series 350E is very well suited for post-labeling using the thermal transfer printing process.
The optical appearance and durability of the post-labeling depend on the ribbon used.
To achieve an optimal print image, the printing speed and the transfer temperature of the printhead may need to be varied.

Die-cutting
Sharp knives, minimal web tension, and the use of double-sided siliconized liner are recommended
to prevent the effects of possible adhesive bleed.

Substrate pretreatment / Bonding
See processing information KG-054

Question 6

Adhesive strength

Accepted Answer

Substrate
76745 / 7868E
7868EC / 76605(C)
7871E / 7871EC / 7872E / 7872EC / 7876E / 7876EC

Aluminum
5.9
6.1
9.4

Stainless steel
6.6
7.2
11.0

Polycarbonate
5.8
5.3
8.5

Phenolic resin
5.4
5.5
8.9

ABS
5.2
5.8
8.2

Polystyrene
4.8
4.9
7.5

Polypropylene
4.8
4.8
7.3

HD polyethylene
3.0
3.3
5.1

LD polyethylene
2.8
3.8
5.8

Smooth powder coating
5.6
6.0
9.2

Measured according to Finat Test Method FTM 2 after 72 h storage at 70 °C.
The stated adhesive strength values are average values. They are not suitable for specifications.

Question 7

Resistance

Accepted Answer

Resistance to Climatic Stress
SFW 0.2 S DIN 50018
Stress 2 cycles
no change.
Foil bonded to stainless steel, tested with 72 h storage in standard climate 23/50, DIN 50014.
 
Resistance to Chemicals and Solvents
The foils are resistant to most mineral oils and greases, fuels, aliphatic solvents, weak acids, salts and alkalis, such as:

Loading agent
Loading time
Result

Heptane
4 h
no complaints

Petroleum
4 h
no complaints

Diesel
4 h
no complaints

Engine oil SAE 15W40
4 h
no adverse effect

Brake fluid DOT 4
1 h
no adverse effect

Windshield cleaner
4 h
no complaints

IPA
4 h
no complaints

Toluene
1 h
no adverse effect

MEK
1 h
no adverse effect

Industrial cleaner (lemon)
4 h
no complaints

Pril
4 h
no complaints

Acid (PH 4)
4 h
no complaints

Lye (PH10)
4 h
no adverse effect

Foil bonded to stainless steel, tested after 24 h storage in standard climate 23/50.
The evaluation was carried out 1 hour after removing the samples from the test liquid containers.
 
Low-temperature Resistance
3M 76605, 10 mm * 25 mm, was bonded to polypropylene ultracentrifuge tubes and glass tubes, and then stored for 4 hours at -196 °C in liquid nitrogen.
3M 76605 in 10 mm * 5 mm, was bonded to Nunc Cryovials and then stored for 2 months at -20 °C, -80 °C, and -196 °C.
All bonded labels subsequently showed no changes after warming to room temperature.

Question 8

Specification

Accepted Answer

UL File MH18072 and CUL File MH18072
Explosion protection:
3M Thermoscript films 7871E and 7872EC are approved for use in potentially explosive atmospheres according to testing by VDE, DIN EN 50014, ATEX (Germany, Europe) and FM3600 (USA). The approvals apply in conjunction with Astromed RY and RRT thermal transfer ribbons.

Product	Color	Foil thickness in mm	Adhesive thickness in mm	Liner thickness in mm (g/m²)	Release liner
7868E	Gloss white	0,053	350E 0.030	0,056 (62)	Glassine paper, single-sided siliconized
7868EC	Gloss white	0,053	350E 0.020	0,056 (62)	Glassine paper, single-sided siliconized
7871E	Gloss white	0,053	350E 0.030	0,056 (62)	Glassine paper, double-sided siliconized
7871EC	Gloss white	0,053	3046 0.020	0,056 (62)	Glassine paper, single-sided siliconized
7872E	Gloss platinum	0,053	350E 0.030	0,056 (62)	Glassine paper, double-sided siliconized
7872EC	Gloss platinum	0,053	3046 0.020	0,056 (62)	Glassine paper, single-sided siliconized
7876E	Gloss transparent	0,053	350E 0.030	0,056 (62)	Glassine paper, double-sided siliconized
7876EC	Gloss transparent	0,053	3046 0.020	0,056 (62)	Glassine paper, single-sided siliconized
76605	Gloss white	0,036	350E 0.030	0,056 (62)	Glassine paper, double-sided siliconized
76605C	Gloss white	0,036	3025 0.020	0,056 (62)	Glassine paper, single-sided siliconized
76745	Gloss platinum	0,053	350E 0.020	0,056 (62)	Glassine paper, single-sided siliconized

Material	Polyester
Temperature resistance (bonded to aluminum)	-40°C to +150°C no visible change
Dimensional stability (tested according to DIN 30646)	Index 02 (Shrinkage < 0.2%)
Dielectric strength (VDE 0303, T2)	Minimum value: 82.2 kV/mm Average value: 84.1 kV/mm
Fire behavior in bonded state	Self-extinguishing after 15 seconds, does not drip
Opacity	Covers high-contrast substrate colors well
Salt spray (according to DIN 50021 SS)	150 hrs. no adverse effect
Fungus	fungus-resistant, does not promote fungus growth
Substrate corrosion	does not cause corrosion on the bonded substrate
Adhesive	modified acrylate adhesive, Series 350E, suitable for difficult substrates such as polyethylene, polypropylene, powder coatings, and slightly oily substrates
Minimum bonding temperature	+4°C

Durability	Outdoor use: 2-3 years Indoor use: virtually unlimited
Shelf life	2 years
Recommended storage conditions	23°C / 50% relative humidity. Storage of film/label rolls in polybags is recommended.

Printing	Screen / Letterpress / Flexo / Offset printing processes A color qualification test before series production is recommended. Note: It is advisable to test the base print for chemical resistance if necessary!
Thermal transfer printing	The special surface coating of 3M Thermoscript films Series 350E is very well suited for post-labeling using the thermal transfer printing process. The optical appearance and durability of the post-labeling depend on the ribbon used. To achieve an optimal print image, the printing speed and the transfer temperature of the printhead may need to be varied.
Die-cutting	Sharp knives, minimal web tension, and the use of double-sided siliconized liner are recommended to prevent the effects of possible adhesive bleed.
Substrate pretreatment / Bonding	See processing information KG-054

Substrate	76745 / 7868E	7868EC / 76605(C)	7871E / 7871EC / 7872E / 7872EC / 7876E / 7876EC
Aluminum	5.9	6.1	9.4
Stainless steel	6.6	7.2	11.0
Polycarbonate	5.8	5.3	8.5
Phenolic resin	5.4	5.5	8.9
ABS	5.2	5.8	8.2
Polystyrene	4.8	4.9	7.5
Polypropylene	4.8	4.8	7.3
HD polyethylene	3.0	3.3	5.1
LD polyethylene	2.8	3.8	5.8
Smooth powder coating	5.6	6.0	9.2

Loading agent	Loading time	Result
Heptane	4 h	no complaints
Petroleum	4 h	no complaints
Diesel	4 h	no complaints
Engine oil SAE 15W40	4 h	no adverse effect
Brake fluid DOT 4	1 h	no adverse effect
Windshield cleaner	4 h	no complaints
IPA	4 h	no complaints
Toluene	1 h	no adverse effect
MEK	1 h	no adverse effect
Industrial cleaner (lemon)	4 h	no complaints
Pril	4 h	no complaints
Acid (PH 4)	4 h	no complaints
Lye (PH10)	4 h	no adverse effect

Polyester Film 7871EC