Q: Functionality and durability

Based on our current knowledge, the following functionality and durability can be expected from 3M™ polyester films: Generally not under the following times for vertical outdoor weathering, if the foils have been properly processed and bonded according to 3M recommendations: Unprinted 2 years when stored correctly Recommended storage condition: 23°C / 50% relative humidity

Q: Processing

Printing Screen / flexo / letterpress / offset and thermal transfer printing processes A color qualification test prior to series production is recommended Thermal transfer printing The surface of 3M 7868, 7871, 7872, 7873, 7876 and 7879 are particularly smooth, to enable exact labeling in thermal transfer printing. The optical appearance and the resilience of the subsequent labeling depend on the combination of printing system and ink ribbon. A list with UL/CSA ink ribbon recommendations can be requested. Die-cutting Rotary die-cutting, sharp blades and minimal web tension are recommended to avoid possible adhesive leakage. Substrate Pretreatment / Bonding See Processing Information KG-054

Q: Adhesive strength

7868 7871/7872/7873/7879 7876/7903/7905/7908/7909 Steel, stainless 23 27 25 Polycarbonate 20 26 24 Glass 22 27 25 Polypropylene 13 23 20 HD-Polyethylene 11 16 14 LD-Polyethylene 9 15 14 Smooth powder coating 18 24 21 Slightly textured powder coating 9 14 12 Measured according to DIN 30646 or ASTM D3330 after 72h storage in standard climate 23/50. The adhesive force values indicated are average values. They are not suitable for specifications.

Q: Resistance

Resistance to Climatic Stress SFW 2.0 S DIN 50018 Stress 2 cycles: no change Foil bonded to stainless steel, tested after 72h 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 Distilled water 24h No objection 98% relative humidity at +38°C 120h No objection Water pH 4 4h No objection Water pH 10 4h No objection Isopropanol 4h No objection Diesel oil at +23°C 4h No objection Hydraulic oil 4h No objection Acetone 4h No objection Brake fluid 4h No objection Engine oil (10W30) at 121°C (250°F) 4h No objection Cleaner (Formula 4901M) 4h No objection Antifreeze 4h No objection Toluene 4h No objection White spirit at +23°C 24h No objection n-Heptane at +23°C 24h No objection Foil bonded to stainless steel, tested after 24h storage in standard climate 23/50. The evaluation was carried out 1 hour after removing the samples from the test liquid containers.

Q: Specification

UL-approved: 7868, 7871, 7872, 7873, 7876, 7879F, 7903, 7905, 7908, 7909 File number MH 16411 for indoor and outdoor applications. CSA-approved: 7868, 7871, 7872, 7873, 7879F, 7903/7908 File number 99316 for indoor and outdoor applications. 7876/7905/7909 in progress ISO 9002: The quality assurance system of the manufacturing plant is certified according to DIN ISO 9002.

Question 1

Product Description

Accepted Answer

3M polyester films with the 350 adhesive series solve a variety of labeling tasks. They are characterized above all by excellent adhesion to powder-coated surfaces and slightly oily substrates. They are even UL-approved in conjunction with most powder coatings. In addition, they are suitable for bonding to low-energy, textured substrates such as PE/PP. The variants with a thicker adhesive application have proven themselves on textured substrates.    
Typical areas of application include:

Product labeling and barcoding in the automotive industry
Product labeling and barcoding in steel production
Product labeling and barcoding in mechanical engineering
Inventory labeling

The products with protective cover for roll processing can be subsequently labeled using thermal transfer printing.
The FL versions are also optimized for automatic dispensing.
The versions with climate-stable protective paper have been designed for sheet printing.

Material
Polyester

Available colors
7868 white glossy,
7871 white glossy,
7873 platinum glossy,
7875 silver glossy,
7876 transparent glossy,
7878 silver matte,
7903 silver glossy*,
7905 transparent glossy*,
7908 white glossy*,
7909 silver brushed*

Adhesive
Modified acrylate adhesive, 350 series, suitable for difficult substrates such as polyethylene, polypropylene,
powder coatings and slightly oily substrates.

Protective paper / protective film
7868, 7871, 7873, 7875, 7876: silicone-coated, compacted paper on one side for roll processing.
FL versions: Polyester film carrier for improved dispensing.
7903, 7905, 7908, 7909: climate-stable paper coated with polyethylene on both sides for sheet processing.

Minimum bonding temperature
+4 °C

* Material is suitable for sheet processing

Question 2

Construction

Accepted Answer

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

7868
White Glossy
0,05
0,028
0,08 (90)
Densified paper, siliconized on one side

7871
White Glossy
0,05
0,046
0,08 (80)
Densified paper, siliconized on one side

7871FL
White Glossy
0,05
0,046
0,038 (52)
Polyester Film Liner

7872
Platinum glossy
0,05
0,046
0,08 (80)
Densified paper, siliconized on one side

7872FL
Platinum glossy
0,05
0,046
0,038 (52)
Polyester Film Liner

7873
Silver Glossy
0,05
0,046
0,08 (80)
Densified paper, siliconized on one side

7876
Glossy transparent
0,05
0,046
0,08 (80)
Densified paper, siliconized on one side

7879FL
Silver Glossy
0,084
0,046
0,038 (52)
Polyester Film Liner

7903
Silver Glossy
0,05
0,046
0,17 (147)
Climate-stable paper

7905
Glossy transparent
0,05
0,046
0,17 (147)
Climate-stable paper

7908
White Glossy
0,05
0,046
0,17 (147)
Climate-stable paper

7909
Silver brushed
0,05
0,046
0,17 (147)
Climate-stable paper

Question 3

Physical properties

Accepted Answer

Temperature resistance (bonded to aluminum)
-40°C to +150°C

Dimensional stability (tested according to DIN 30646)
Code number 02 (shrinkage < 0.2%)

Opacity
Covers high-contrast colors of the substrate well

Salt spray (according to DIN 50021 SS)
150h – no objection

Fungus
Fungus resistant, non-fungus promoting

Substrate corrosion
Does not cause corrosion on the adhered substrate

Question 4

Functionality and durability

Accepted Answer

Based on our current knowledge, the following functionality and durability can be expected from 3M™ polyester films:
Generally not under the following times for vertical outdoor weathering, if the foils have been properly processed and bonded according to 3M recommendations:

Unprinted
2 years when stored correctly
Recommended storage condition: 23°C / 50% relative humidity

Question 5

Processing

Accepted Answer

Printing
Screen / flexo / letterpress / offset and thermal transfer printing processes
A color qualification test prior to series production is recommended

Thermal transfer printing
The surface of 3M 7868, 7871, 7872, 7873, 7876 and 7879 are particularly smooth,
to enable exact labeling in thermal transfer printing.
The optical appearance and the resilience of the subsequent labeling depend
on the combination of printing system and ink ribbon.
A list with UL/CSA ink ribbon recommendations can be requested.

Die-cutting
Rotary die-cutting, sharp blades and minimal web tension are recommended
to avoid possible adhesive leakage.

Substrate Pretreatment / Bonding
See Processing Information KG-054

Question 6

Adhesive strength

Accepted Answer

7868
7871/7872/7873/7879
7876/7903/7905/7908/7909

Steel, stainless
23
27
25

Polycarbonate
20
26
24

Glass
22
27
25

Polypropylene
13
23
20

HD-Polyethylene
11
16
14

LD-Polyethylene
9
15
14

Smooth powder coating
18
24
21

Slightly textured powder coating
9
14
12

Measured according to DIN 30646 or ASTM D3330 after 72h storage in standard climate 23/50.
The adhesive force values indicated are average values. They are not suitable for specifications.

Question 7

Resistance

Accepted Answer

Resistance to Climatic Stress
SFW 2.0 S DIN 50018
Stress 2 cycles: no change
Foil bonded to stainless steel, tested after 72h 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

Distilled water
24h
No objection

98% relative humidity at +38°C
120h
No objection

Water pH 4
4h
No objection

Water pH 10
4h
No objection

Isopropanol
4h
No objection

Diesel oil at +23°C
4h
No objection

Hydraulic oil
4h
No objection

Acetone
4h
No objection

Brake fluid
4h
No objection

Engine oil (10W30) at 121°C (250°F)
4h
No objection

Cleaner (Formula 4901M)
4h
No objection

Antifreeze
4h
No objection

Toluene
4h
No objection

White spirit at +23°C
24h
No objection

n-Heptane at +23°C
24h
No objection

Foil bonded to stainless steel, tested after 24h storage in standard climate 23/50.
The evaluation was carried out 1 hour after removing the samples from the test liquid containers.

Question 8

Specification

Accepted Answer

UL-approved:
7868, 7871, 7872, 7873, 7876, 7879F, 7903, 7905, 7908, 7909
File number MH 16411 for indoor and outdoor applications.

CSA-approved:
7868, 7871, 7872, 7873, 7879F, 7903/7908
File number 99316 for indoor and outdoor applications.

7876/7905/7909
in progress

ISO 9002:
The quality assurance system of the manufacturing plant is certified according to DIN ISO 9002.

Material	Polyester
Available colors	7868 white glossy, 7871 white glossy, 7873 platinum glossy, 7875 silver glossy, 7876 transparent glossy, 7878 silver matte, 7903 silver glossy, 7905 transparent glossy, 7908 white glossy, 7909 silver brushed
Adhesive	Modified acrylate adhesive, 350 series, suitable for difficult substrates such as polyethylene, polypropylene, powder coatings and slightly oily substrates.
Protective paper / protective film	7868, 7871, 7873, 7875, 7876: silicone-coated, compacted paper on one side for roll processing. FL versions: Polyester film carrier for improved dispensing. 7903, 7905, 7908, 7909: climate-stable paper coated with polyethylene on both sides for sheet processing.
Minimum bonding temperature	+4 °C

Product	Color	Foil thickness in mm	Adhesive thickness in mm	Release liner in mm (g/m²)	Release liner
7868	White Glossy	0,05	0,028	0,08 (90)	Densified paper, siliconized on one side
7871	White Glossy	0,05	0,046	0,08 (80)	Densified paper, siliconized on one side
7871FL	White Glossy	0,05	0,046	0,038 (52)	Polyester Film Liner
7872	Platinum glossy	0,05	0,046	0,08 (80)	Densified paper, siliconized on one side
7872FL	Platinum glossy	0,05	0,046	0,038 (52)	Polyester Film Liner
7873	Silver Glossy	0,05	0,046	0,08 (80)	Densified paper, siliconized on one side
7876	Glossy transparent	0,05	0,046	0,08 (80)	Densified paper, siliconized on one side
7879FL	Silver Glossy	0,084	0,046	0,038 (52)	Polyester Film Liner
7903	Silver Glossy	0,05	0,046	0,17 (147)	Climate-stable paper
7905	Glossy transparent	0,05	0,046	0,17 (147)	Climate-stable paper
7908	White Glossy	0,05	0,046	0,17 (147)	Climate-stable paper
7909	Silver brushed	0,05	0,046	0,17 (147)	Climate-stable paper

Temperature resistance (bonded to aluminum)	-40°C to +150°C
Dimensional stability (tested according to DIN 30646)	Code number 02 (shrinkage < 0.2%)
Opacity	Covers high-contrast colors of the substrate well
Salt spray (according to DIN 50021 SS)	150h – no objection
Fungus	Fungus resistant, non-fungus promoting
Substrate corrosion	Does not cause corrosion on the adhered substrate

Printing	Screen / flexo / letterpress / offset and thermal transfer printing processes A color qualification test prior to series production is recommended
Thermal transfer printing	The surface of 3M 7868, 7871, 7872, 7873, 7876 and 7879 are particularly smooth, to enable exact labeling in thermal transfer printing. The optical appearance and the resilience of the subsequent labeling depend on the combination of printing system and ink ribbon. A list with UL/CSA ink ribbon recommendations can be requested.
Die-cutting	Rotary die-cutting, sharp blades and minimal web tension are recommended to avoid possible adhesive leakage.
Substrate Pretreatment / Bonding	See Processing Information KG-054

	7868	7871/7872/7873/7879	7876/7903/7905/7908/7909
Steel, stainless	23	27	25
Polycarbonate	20	26	24
Glass	22	27	25
Polypropylene	13	23	20
HD-Polyethylene	11	16	14
LD-Polyethylene	9	15	14
Smooth powder coating	18	24	21
Slightly textured powder coating	9	14	12

Loading agent	Loading time	Result
Distilled water	24h	No objection
98% relative humidity at +38°C	120h	No objection
Water pH 4	4h	No objection
Water pH 10	4h	No objection
Isopropanol	4h	No objection
Diesel oil at +23°C	4h	No objection
Hydraulic oil	4h	No objection
Acetone	4h	No objection
Brake fluid	4h	No objection
Engine oil (10W30) at 121°C (250°F)	4h	No objection
Cleaner (Formula 4901M)	4h	No objection
Antifreeze	4h	No objection
Toluene	4h	No objection
White spirit at +23°C	24h	No objection
n-Heptane at +23°C	24h	No objection

UL-approved:	7868, 7871, 7872, 7873, 7876, 7879F, 7903, 7905, 7908, 7909	File number MH 16411 for indoor and outdoor applications.
CSA-approved:	7868, 7871, 7872, 7873, 7879F, 7903/7908	File number 99316 for indoor and outdoor applications.
	7876/7905/7909	in progress
ISO 9002:	The quality assurance system of the manufacturing plant is certified according to DIN ISO 9002.

Polyester Film 7903