rn The market for electric motors and generators, the workhorses of industry, is heating up. As regulatory requirements to create more energy-efficient motors increase, 3M recognizes that the industry itself is changing for motor designers, manufacturers, and rebuilders.

rn With global competition and efficiency standards rising, the pressure is on for higher-efficiency motors that are smaller, faster, and lighter. In response, the demand is up for insulation systems with higher thermal conductivity, more corona resistance, and a higher thermal rating.

rn More efficient electric motors, often controlled with modern Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) drivers, are increasingly replacing pneumatic motors, internal combustion engines, and other types of motors (higher efficiency motors are typically larger and more expense to purchase, but cost less to run). That’s why 3M offers high performance insulation materials for both existing and new motor designs. And many 3M solutions are designed for easier insertion and application, helping provide a more efficient manufacturing process.

rn Excellent Voltage Endurance
rn If partial discharge or corona damage is a concern, 3M insulation with high inorganic content can help provide greater reliability. Unlike many insulating materials, however, those from 3M enable the continued performance of high temperature (higher density), high speed, and high efficiency motors.

rn 3M Solutions
rn Look to 3M for a broad range of insulation types – including flexible insulation, insulating and conductive tapes, and electrical insulating resins – since you are more likely to find a solution that works well in your application. In addition, 3M can service multinational manufacturers through their global distribution, technical support, and supply chain assistance.

rn 3M™ Scotchcast™ Powder Resins
rn 3M Scotchcast Powder Resins make excellent electrical insulation coatings in the construction of electric motors, and generators to cover rotor slots, stator slots, stator hair pin turns, end windings, and dynamo starter coils. These coatings create intimate contact with substrate materials and reduce surface irregularities of the soft-magnetic laminations. Also, they can be used to encapsulate motors for wire sizes greater than or equal to 16 AWG (1.31 mm²). These resins have outstanding dielectric, adhesion, thermal, mechanical, chemical resistance, and moisture resistance characteristics.

rn 3M™ Flexible Insulation Materials
rn Our line of 3M Flexible Insulation Materials – particularly 3M TufQUIN laminates, DMD High Performance Flexible Laminates -- are used for a range of applications in electric motors and generators. Typical flexible insulation products for motors are hybrid PET film laminates that exhibit toughness for easy and reliable slot insertion along with excellent varnish absorption for quieter running and corona resistance. The good varnish absorption and excellent voltage endurance give reliable motor performance even with PWM drivers. The higher thermal conductivity of our insulation products help motors and generators run cooler or enable smaller, low-cost constructions.

rn 3M™ Electrical Insulating Tapes
rn 3M Electrical Insulating Tapes are made from a broad range of backings and adhesives to meet the demanding requirements of different motor or generator applications. Some more popular tapes for motor and generators applications include composite tapes for industrial and appliance motors, filament tapes for handheld tool motors, and glass cloth tapes for high temperature or high power motors. 3M tapes are recognized in the industry for their excellent performance and dependability.

rn Product Solutions for Electrified Transportation Motor Applications