3M Friction

Shims
A smarter solution for lightweight
automotive development
The trend: Do more with less.
With every new car model, automotive
manufacturers face increasing pressures in a
complex development process:
• Less time – shorter development cycles
• Less testing – greater use of simulation tools
• More variety – the same base engine is used for
an entire platform and many power variations
• Less weight – downsize to reduce CO2
emissions

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The goal: Pack more power in less space.
Higher power density 280
Development
• Need to meet increasingly 260 effort to reduce
stringent CO2 requirements 240 CO2 emission

Normalized to NEDC Test Cycle

US (FTP75/US06)
• Requires re-engineering to 220
Europe (NEDC)
achieve weight reductions 200
Japan (JC08)

CO2 (g/km)
180
• Increases development China (NEDC)

160 S.Korea (NEDC)

time and costs
India (proposed)
140
Brazil
120
100
80
60
2002 2005 2008 2011 2014 2017 2020 2023 2026 2029
Source: IHS
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The challenge: No room for error.
• Torque limits: • Time limits:
Existing applications often Late-stage design changes lead to
run close to torque delays & higher cost
transfer limits
• Safety limits:
Slipping connections
result in engine failure
• Simulation limits:
Even sophisticated tools
cannot predict all potential
failure conditions

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So how do you reduce
engine weight and
bulk – without
sacrificing power?

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 s

The solution: 3M™ Friction Shims

Engineered to help you

get a grip.

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Get a grip with 3M™ Friction Shims.

• Increase coefficient of friction ➔ transmit higher torque loads

• Reduce vehicle weight ➔ meet lower emissions standards
• Reduce risk of slippage ➔ increase margin of safety
• Fit within narrow engineering tolerances ➔ no design change required

3M™ Friction Shims consist of a coated steel shim with

partially embedded diamonds. When the shim is placed
4x
higher
between two components in a bolted connection, the friction
diamonds “bite” into the surface, creating a microform fit coefficient
and significantly increasing friction between the two parts.

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Scenario 1: Engine downsizing
3M™ Friction Shims
The goal: enable a significant
Dµ Reduce vehicle mass without reduction in
component
sacrificing performance
size.
The options:
T Reduction of torque means loss of
performance
FN Increase in tightening force limited by
Dµ
μ  FN  T
bolt size/grade and component 2
material strength Many of our variables are fixed,
except for the coefficient of friction.
µ Increase of friction coefficient
with 3M™ Friction Shims

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Scenario 2: Performance upgrade
3M™ Friction Shims
can transmit approx. 4x
The goal: higher torques than
T Increase power for existing design conventional systems

The options:
Dµ Enlargement of friction radius
requires design changes
FN Increase in tightening force limited by Dµ
μ  FN  T
bolt size/grade and component 2
material strength Many of our variables are fixed,
except for the coefficient of friction.
µ Increase of friction coefficient
More friction, more torque!
with 3M™ Friction Shims

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Now, you have the power!
With 3M™ Friction Shims, you can That gives you the freedom and flexibility
reduce component size and increase you need to design lighter, more powerful
performance – all while allowing a and reliable engines and power trains.
greater margin for safety.
What can 3M Friction Shims do for you?

µ without Additional µ with 3M™ Friction Shims

3M™ Friction
Shims Downsizing Performance Safety Factor
Increase

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 A widely adopted solution for higher power density.
There are millions of 3M™ Friction Shims on the road today. And
the applications are growing:

• Crankshaft central bolt designs: sprockets, pulleys,

torsional vibration dampers
Current

• Camshaft: sprocket, variable valve timing

• Flexplate
• Steering

• Electric powertrain
Potential

• Light weight construction connections

• Axles
• Chassis and sub-frame
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Performance today – and down the road.
• Reliable technical solution
for millions of vehicles
• Manufacturing certified to
ISO TS 16949
• Awards from global car
manufacturers:

More than
150,000,000
3M™ Friction Shims in use with no reported field failure

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3M™ Friction Shims: Driven by innovation.
Use 3M™ Friction Shims as a standard
design element in order to help:
• Increase engineering design flexibility
• Achieve power density targets with
downsizing, increasing performance
• Increase safety factor with greater
torque capacity
• Help maintain project timelines

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3M Friction
™

Shims
Functional Principle, Technical Data
& Application Information
Functional principle
3M™ Friction Shims are thin steel foils with an electroless nickel / diamond coating

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Functional principle: Load Transfer in Bolted Joints

1. Shear Joint: the applied loading is 2. Rotating or Torque Joint

at right angles to the fastener axis

Dµ
FN S μ  FN  T
2
S

μ  FN  S

Both types of joints require two factors: preload, or clamping force, and
friction.
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Functional principle
The microscale diamond interlocking results in an increase of the static friction coefficient
up to a factor of 3 - 5 depending on the material combination, roughness and flatness.

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Functional principle

Structure of 3M™ Friction Shim surface

with diamonds embedded in nickel matrix

Mating surface after joining

and disassembling

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 Functional properties

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 How to select the right grade->
Depending in the roughness of matting surfaces
Roughness
of mating surface

Grade 10 Rz < 10 μ m

Grade 25 Rz < 25 μ m

Grade 35 Rz < 35 μ m
20 μm

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3M™ Friction Shims: Examples of coefficients of static friction

Note: For application specific data tests need to be carried out with test specimens
made out of component representative material and surface machining.
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Proven long term durability for several material combinations

The effect of a dynamic preloading (107

load cycles with up to 80 % of maximum
torque) is very limited and depends on
contact materials. In some cases, in
particular when softer materials are the
counterparts, a slight increase in static
friction coefficient has been found.

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3M™ Friction Shims: Typical specification

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Typical powertrain application examples
Camshaft

Flywheel

Crankshaft

Cam Phaser

Crankshaft Sprocket Torsional Vibration Damper

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 s

The Solution: 3M™ Friction Shims

FAQs

© 3M 2015. All Rights Reserved. 25

 Frequently Asked Questions:

Can 3M™ Friction Shims be re-used?

Under controlled conditions a connection using friction shims can be disassembled and reassembled
several times, as long as no slippage had occurred. It has to be ensured that the surfaces are in clean
condition.

What is the life time of 3M friction shims?

When installed in a joint, there is unlimited lifetime and no reduction in performance over time as long as
there is no slippage.

How long can 3M friction shims be stored?

Under normal storage conditions (no excessive moisture) shims can be stored for several years. They
should be kept in the sealed screw tube or – in case of larger parts – wrapped in VCI paper.

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 Frequently Asked Questions:
Which coefficient of friction (COF) can be achieved?
The COF is a system property. There are many parameters which have an influence on the resulting COF
(material of mating components, surface treatment / roughness, flatness etc.). As 3M has no control over
all system parameters in the application, 3M therefore cannot exactly predict or even guarantee any COF
value. If our requirements (surface roughness, minimum pressure) are met, typically a factor in the range of
3 – 5 can be achieved.

What is the influence of material hardness of the mating parts?

The diamond particles of the 3M™ Friction Shims get pressed into the surface of the mating parts which
results in an increase of the COF. Once they are completely pressed in, the resulting COF stays fairly
constant, even if the pressure increases. With increasing hardness of the parts there is more pressure
needed to reach this saturation effect. On most materials a significant COF increase is already achieved at
50 N/mm² surface pressure.

What is the minimum / maximum pressure for an application?

Depending on material hardness a significant COF increase is already achieved with 50 N/mm². There are
applications with as much as 1200 N/mm² surface pressure. Most applications however are in the range of
80 – 250 N/mm².
© 3M 2015. All Rights Reserved. 27
 Frequently Asked Questions:

What counterpart materials work with 3M™ Friction Shims?

In general, any type of ‘metals’. We have experience with carbon steel, stainless steel, cast iron, aluminum,
titanium, etc. Because of the basic technical principle of micro locking, we see potential of using shims
with a variety of counterpart materials, including glass fibers and carbon fibers.

Are 3M friction shims protected against corrosion?

The coating itself does not corrode. It also sufficiently protects the base part (C75S steel) against corrosion
when stored in screw tubes or wrapped in VCI paper. Once installed there is no more risk for corrosion
under normal conditions. For severe conditions (as described by the salt spray test) regular shims do not
offer sufficient protection. In such a case we can offer shims with a base part of stainless steel. This
requires additional process steps.

© 3M 2015. All Rights Reserved. 28

 Frequently Asked Questions:
What are the maximum part dimensions that can be coated?
Our coating baths allow for a maximum part size of 840 x 480 mm.

Are there standard parts or a catalogue of parts?

No, we only produce parts according to customer drawings or customer specifications. We will assist with
design suggestions for the individual application.

Can you supply coated sheets and let the customer cut the parts himself?
It is not possible to create the dimensions by cutting from a coated sheet. Each cutting process (also laser
cutting and water jet cutting) creates a burr or a bulge on the edge which is larger than the diamonds
sticking out of the surface. This would disturb the functionality of the shim.

© 3M 2015. All Rights Reserved. 29

 Frequently Asked Questions:
What methods are there for attaching 3M™ Friction Shims to components?
There are several methods:

- Using tabs on the ID or OD of the shim. This is the lowest cost solution as it is built into the design of the
shim. However, this requires a groove on the mating part.

- Laser spot welding. This is the safest version. It eliminates the risk of losing a 3M friction shim.

- Clips (3D shim).

Laser welding:
3M™ Friction Shims on
GJS 400 steel
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Thank you!

© 3M 2015. All Rights Reserved. 31

 Warranty, Limited Remedy, and Disclaimer: Many factors beyond 3M’s control and uniquely within user’s
knowledge and control can affect the use and performance of a 3M product in a particular application. User is solely
responsible for evaluating the 3M product and determining whether it is fit for a particular purpose and suitable for
user’s method of application. User is solely responsible for evaluating third party intellectual property rights and for
ensuring that user’s use of 3M product does not violate any third party intellectual property rights. Unless a different
warranty is specifically stated in the applicable product literature or packaging insert, 3M warrants that each 3M
product meets the applicable 3M product specification at the time 3M ships the product. 3M MAKES NO OTHER
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WARRANTY OR CONDITION OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR ANY
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OF A COURSE OF DEALING, CUSTOM OR USAGE OF TRADE. If the 3M product does not conform to this
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purchase price.

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the 3M product, whether direct, indirect, special, incidental or consequential, regardless of the legal theory asserted,
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Technical Information: Technical information, recommendations, and other statements contained in this document
or provided by 3M personnel are based on tests or experience that 3M believes are reliable, but the accuracy or
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