3M™ Fire Retardant Aluminum Tape
3M™ Fire Retardant Aluminum Tape 363 combines a fiberglass-reinforced aluminum backing with a silicone adhesive, offering strength and flexibility for demanding industrial applications. Approved by NATO under standard F.A.R. 25.853(a), it guarantees low combustion and compliance in the aerospace and defense sectors, ensuring safety in critical environments.
NATO certification and F.A.R. Standard 25.853(a)
F.A.R. 25.853(a), established by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and recognized by NATO, specifies fire resistance and low flammability requirements for materials used in aircraft and military environments. This certification ensures that 3M™ 363 Tape meets strict safety standards, specifically with regard to:
- Resistance to flame spread: The tape must resist exposure to open flames without contributing significantly to combustion, which is crucial in environments such as aircraft cabins or military vehicles where a fire can be catastrophic.
- Low smoke and toxic gas emission: When exposed to fire, the tape does not release significant amounts of smoke or hazardous gases, protecting people in confined spaces.
- Performance in extreme conditions: The tape maintains its physical and adhesive properties in a temperature range from -54°C to 316°C, ensuring reliability in hostile environments such as those encountered in military or aerospace operations.
Why is this certification significant?
Certification under F.A.R. 25.853(a) not only validates the tape’s fire resistance, but also ensures its suitability for applications where durability, thermal resistance, and adhesion are critical. For example:
- Military aerospace: In fighter jets or helicopters, 3M™ 363 tape is used to wrap cables and protect electronic components exposed to intense vibrations and high temperatures, such as in propulsion systems or fuel lines. Certification ensures that it will not fail under thermal or mechanical stress.
- Tactical vehicles: In tanks or armored transports, the tape protects wiring harnesses from abrasion and heat, maintaining the integrity of electronic systems in combat environments.
- Defense systems:Resistance to chemicals and UV rays allows it to be used on equipment exposed to harsh environmental conditions, such as outdoor military bases.
Technical details of the approval
F.A.R. 25.853(a) includes rigorous tests, such as:
- 60-second vertical burn test: Evaluates the material’s ability to resist flame spread over an extended period of time.
- Smoke density tests: Measures the amount of smoke generated during combustion, ensuring that it does not compromise visibility in enclosed spaces.
- Toxicity analysis: Verifies that combustion byproducts are not harmful to occupants.
3M™ 363 Tape, with its fiberglass-reinforced aluminum backing and silicone adhesive, passes these tests thanks to its robust construction and ability to reflect heat and resist environmental degradation.
Characteristics of 3M™ Fire Retardant Aluminum Tape
3M™ 363 Tape combines a fiberglass-reinforced aluminum backing with a silicone adhesive, offering strength and flexibility for demanding industrial applications.
- High mechanical strength: Reinforced with fiberglass, it withstands traction, punctures, and tears, making it ideal for harsh conditions.
- Exceptional thermal protection: Reflects heat and light, operating between -54°C and 316°C, with resistance to intermittent spikes.
- Advanced silicone adhesive: Ensures adhesion to uneven, metallic, or silicone surfaces, even in humid or chemical environments.
- Environmental durability: Resistant to fire, moisture, UV rays, and chemical agents, maintaining performance in adverse conditions.
- Flexibility and lightness: Adapts to curved or complex shapes, facilitating its application in dynamic structures.
- NATO approval: Meets strict safety and performance standards, verified for critical military and aerospace applications.
Main applications
- Aerospace: Envoltura reflectante para cables y conductos en aviones, protegiendo líneas de combustible y sistemas electrónicos expuestos a altas temperaturas y vibraciones, cumpliendo normativas de seguridad aérea.
- Automotive: Aislamiento térmico en sistemas de escape y mazos de cables en motores, resistiendo vibraciones y calor extremo en vehículos de alto rendimiento.
- Manufacturing: Protección de equipos en hornos industriales, sellado de juntas en cámaras de alta temperatura y agrupamiento de cables en entornos con movimiento constante.
- Military defense: Uso en equipamiento táctico para blindaje térmico y protección contra abrasión en vehículos y sistemas electrónicos, respaldado por la homologación OTAN.
- Energy: Aislamiento de tuberías y componentes en plantas petroquímicas, soportando exposición a químicos y calor.
Data Sheet
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