Q: Functionality and durability

Based on our current knowledge, the following functionality and durability can be expected from 3M™ Polyester Films: Generally not below the following times with vertical outdoor weathering, provided the foils have been properly processed and applied according to 3M recommendations: Unprinted 2 years with proper storage Recommended storage conditions: 23°C / 50% relative humidity

Q: Processing

Printing Screen / Flexo / Letterpress / Offset and Thermal Transfer Printing processes A color qualification test before series production is recommended Thermal Transfer Printing The surface of 3M 7868, 7871, 7872, 7873, 7876 and 7879 is particularly smooth, to enable precise labeling with thermal transfer printing. The optical appearance and durability of the subsequent labeling depend on the combination of printing system and ribbon. A list of UL/CSA ribbon recommendations can be requested. Die-cutting Rotary die-cutting, sharp knives, and minimal web tension are recommended, to avoid possible adhesive squeeze-out. Substrate Pre-treatment / Application See processing information KG-054

Q: Adhesive strength

7868 7871/7872/7873/7879 7876/7903/7905/7908/7909 Stainless steel 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 Lightly textured powder coating 9 14 12 Measured according to DIN 30646 or ASTM D3330 after 72h storage in standard climate 23/50. The stated adhesive strength values 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 adverse effect 98% relative humidity at +38°C 120h No adverse effect Water pH 4 4h No adverse effect Water pH 10 4h No adverse effect Isopropanol 4h No adverse effect Diesel oil at +23°C 4h No adverse effect Hydraulic oil 4h No adverse effect Acetone 4h No adverse effect Brake fluid 4h No adverse effect Engine oil (10W30) at 121°C (250°F) 4h No adverse effect Cleaner (Formula 4901M) 4h No adverse effect Antifreeze 4h No adverse effect Toluene 4h No adverse effect White spirit at +23°C 24h No adverse effect n-Heptane at +23°C 24h No adverse effect 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 Recognized: 7868, 7871, 7872, 7873, 7876, 7879F, 7903, 7905, 7908, 7909 File MH 16411 for indoor and outdoor applications. CSA Recognized: 7868, 7871, 7872, 7873, 7879F, 7903/7908 File 99316 for indoor and outdoor applications. 7876/7905/7909 in progress ISO 9002: The manufacturer’s quality assurance system is certified according to DIN ISO 9002.

Question 1

Product Description

Accepted Answer

3M Polyester Films with adhesive series 350 solve a variety of labeling tasks. They are particularly characterized by excellent adhesion to powder-coated surfaces and slightly oily substrates. They are even UL-approved in combination with most powder coatings. Furthermore, they are suitable for application on low-energy, structured substrates such as PE/PP. The variants with thicker adhesive coating have proven effective on structured substrates.    
Typical applications 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 with thermal transfer printing.
The FL versions are additionally optimized for automatic dispensing.
The versions with dimensionally stable release liner have been designed for sheet printing.

Material
Polyester

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

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

Release Liner / Protective Film
7868, 7871, 7873, 7875, 7876: densified paper, siliconized on one side, for roll processing.
FL versions: polyester film liner for improved dispensing.
7903, 7905, 7908, 7909: dimensionally stable, double-sided polyethylene-coated paper for sheet processing.

Minimum Application 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
Glossy white
0,05
0,028
0,08 (90)
Densified paper, siliconized on one side

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

7871FL
Glossy white
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
Glossy silver
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
Glossy silver
0,084
0,046
0,038 (52)
Polyester Film Liner

7903
Glossy silver
0,05
0,046
0,17 (147)
Dimensionally stable paper

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

7908
Glossy white
0,05
0,046
0,17 (147)
Dimensionally stable paper

7909
Brushed silver
0,05
0,046
0,17 (147)
Dimensionally stable paper

Question 3

Physical properties

Accepted Answer

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

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

Opacity
Covers high-contrast colors of the substrate well

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

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 below the following times with vertical outdoor weathering, provided the foils have been properly processed and applied according to 3M recommendations:

Unprinted
2 years with proper storage
Recommended storage conditions: 23°C / 50% relative humidity

Question 5

Processing

Accepted Answer

Printing
Screen / Flexo / Letterpress / Offset and Thermal Transfer Printing processes
A color qualification test before series production is recommended

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

Die-cutting
Rotary die-cutting, sharp knives, and minimal web tension are recommended,
to avoid possible adhesive squeeze-out.

Substrate Pre-treatment / Application
See processing information KG-054

Question 6

Adhesive strength

Accepted Answer

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

Stainless steel
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

Lightly textured powder coating
9
14
12

Measured according to DIN 30646 or ASTM D3330 after 72h storage in standard climate 23/50.
The stated adhesive strength values 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 adverse effect

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

Water pH 4
4h
No adverse effect

Water pH 10
4h
No adverse effect

Isopropanol
4h
No adverse effect

Diesel oil at +23°C
4h
No adverse effect

Hydraulic oil
4h
No adverse effect

Acetone
4h
No adverse effect

Brake fluid
4h
No adverse effect

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

Cleaner (Formula 4901M)
4h
No adverse effect

Antifreeze
4h
No adverse effect

Toluene
4h
No adverse effect

White spirit at +23°C
24h
No adverse effect

n-Heptane at +23°C
24h
No adverse effect

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

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

7876/7905/7909
in progress

ISO 9002:
The manufacturer&#8217;s quality assurance system is certified according to DIN ISO 9002.

Material	Polyester
Available Colors	7868 glossy white, 7871 glossy white, 7873 platinum glossy, 7875 glossy silver, 7876 glossy transparent, 7878 matte silver, 7903 glossy silver, 7905 glossy transparent, 7908 glossy white, 7909 brushed silver
Adhesive	Modified acrylic adhesive, Series 350, suitable for difficult substrates such as polyethylene, polypropylene, powder coatings, and slightly oily substrates.
Release Liner / Protective Film	7868, 7871, 7873, 7875, 7876: densified paper, siliconized on one side, for roll processing. FL versions: polyester film liner for improved dispensing. 7903, 7905, 7908, 7909: dimensionally stable, double-sided polyethylene-coated paper for sheet processing.
Minimum Application Temperature	+4°C

Product	Color	Foil thickness in mm	Adhesive thickness in mm	Release liner in mm (g/m²)	Release liner
7868	Glossy white	0,05	0,028	0,08 (90)	Densified paper, siliconized on one side
7871	Glossy white	0,05	0,046	0,08 (80)	Densified paper, siliconized on one side
7871FL	Glossy white	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	Glossy silver	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	Glossy silver	0,084	0,046	0,038 (52)	Polyester Film Liner
7903	Glossy silver	0,05	0,046	0,17 (147)	Dimensionally stable paper
7905	Glossy transparent	0,05	0,046	0,17 (147)	Dimensionally stable paper
7908	Glossy white	0,05	0,046	0,17 (147)	Dimensionally stable paper
7909	Brushed silver	0,05	0,046	0,17 (147)	Dimensionally stable paper

Temperature resistance (adhered to aluminum)	-40°C to +150°C
Dimensional stability (tested according to DIN 30646)	Index 02 (Shrinkage < 0.2%)
Opacity	Covers high-contrast colors of the substrate well
Salt spray (according to DIN 50021 SS)	150h – no adverse effect
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 before series production is recommended
Thermal Transfer Printing	The surface of 3M 7868, 7871, 7872, 7873, 7876 and 7879 is particularly smooth, to enable precise labeling with thermal transfer printing. The optical appearance and durability of the subsequent labeling depend on the combination of printing system and ribbon. A list of UL/CSA ribbon recommendations can be requested.
Die-cutting	Rotary die-cutting, sharp knives, and minimal web tension are recommended, to avoid possible adhesive squeeze-out.
Substrate Pre-treatment / Application	See processing information KG-054

	7868	7871/7872/7873/7879	7876/7903/7905/7908/7909
Stainless steel	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
Lightly textured powder coating	9	14	12

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

UL Recognized:	7868, 7871, 7872, 7873, 7876, 7879F, 7903, 7905, 7908, 7909	File MH 16411 for indoor and outdoor applications.
CSA Recognized:	7868, 7871, 7872, 7873, 7879F, 7903/7908	File 99316 for indoor and outdoor applications.
	7876/7905/7909	in progress
ISO 9002:	The manufacturer’s quality assurance system is certified according to DIN ISO 9002.

Polyester Film 7905