Technical information on 3M Scotchshield Safety and Security film applications for physical security, vandalism mitigation or other causes of glass breakage.

PEEL STRENGTH: This measures the force required to separate the glass from the film. The higher the peel strength the more force required to separate the film from the glass. Measured by doing an adhesion pull test (ANSI 297.1) in grams per inch (gr/in) or grams per centimeter (gr/cm), the 3M Scotchshield Ultra Safety and Security Window Film product will develop > 2500 gr/in (>984 gr/cm) adhesion before weathering and >3500 gr/in (>1,375 gr/cm) adhesion after weathering. A quality film product will have "Xenon Weathering" or "Carbon Arc Weathering" test results indicating what happens to peel strength over time. Such tests are performed in accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations 16, Chapter 11, Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Part 1201.4, Safety Standard for Architectural Glazing Materials and ANSI Z97.1 Specifications for safety Glazing Material used in Buildings.

TEAR STRENGTH: Indicates the force required to initiate tearing. It should be noted that there is no correlation between film thickness and tear strength. This fact is substantiated by ASTM, D 1004-94a "Standard Test Method for Initial Tear Resistance of Plastic Film and Sheeting." Section 3.1: "Tear resistance of plastic film or sheeting is a complex function of its ultimate resistance to rupture." Section 3.3: "The resistance to tear of plastic film and sheeting while partly dependent upon thickness, has no simple correlation with specimen thickness." The unique patented method of manufacturing 3M's 2-mil (13 layer), 4-mil (26-layer) or 6-mil (39-layer) film results in a product with extremely high resistance to tearing that is far greater than thicker polyester security films.

GRAVES AREA TEAR: The "Graves Area Tear Test" performed in accordance with ASTM, D1004-94a also take into consideration the elongation of the material being tested. This combination of elongation and resistance to tear gives Ultra films superior overall performance when compared with much thicker polyester films.

IMPACT TESTING: Indicates how many foot-pounds of impact a given material applied on glass can withstand. These standards know as ANSI Z97.1 and CPSC 16CFR have a maximum impact force of 400-ft. lbs. These impact tests also relate to tear strength and peel strength, because they both measure the force required for adhesive separation and tearing to occur. 3M obtains this rating by using micro thin layers of polyester in the film's construction. 3M micro-layered films are capable of achieving 400-ft.lb. impact ratings even though they are up to half the thickness of comparably performing polyester safety films.

PUNCTURE PROPAGATION TEAR: The distance that a material will tear after the film is penetrated is a key factor in the overall durability of a product that must hold or capture energy and remain intact. 3M Scotchshield Ultra Safety and Security Films frequently outperform polyester films that are more than twice as thick. Puncture Propagation Tear Resistance of Plastic Film and Sheeting are tested in accordance with ASTM D-2582-93.

TOTAL PERFORMANCE: It is important that all of the above tests are considered when specifying a safety and security film: peel strength, tear strength, Graves Area and puncture propagation all play a roll in the overall impact performance of the safety film product. "Pound for pound, mil per mil, there is no stronger security film than 3M Scotchshield Ultra Safety and Security Films".

WARRANTIES: Just as a security film specifier compares performance characteristics, a comparison of warranty coverage from prospective manufacturers should also be made. For example, 3M's warranty provides the end-user with the following protection:

The product will "maintain strength, tear and penetration resistant properties". Also the product will "maintain adhesion properties" without blistering, bubbling or delaminating from the glass. This indicates the confidence of 3M backed by our testing.

That coverage should a warranty claim arise, includes labor to remove existing film and labor and material to reinstall new film at no cost to the end-user. The specifier should read all warranties carefully since there is a variance to end-user coverage in the case of premature failure from one manufacturer to another. 3M, a 15 billion-dollar company, covers all warranties.

In closing, we recommend to all clients considering the addition of our security products for protection of personnel that they consider doing independent third-party testing of the film product in a systemic application. Our films have demonstrable performance characteristics, but the film product is only as powerful as the glazing system that it is applied to. Our safety products are part of the entire glazing system, including glass, gaskets, frame, attachment systems and surrounding structure, and so are dependant on the rest of the system to provide the protection required.

For more information about 3M™ Scotchshield™ Ultra Safety & Security Film or a glass risk assessment, please contact us today. Energy Control Consultants is proud to have been the authorized dealer for 3M™ architectural window films in the eastern Tennessee for over 20 years.

POLYESTER FILM: 3M is one of America's largest manufacturers of polyester film. Much of the 3M Scotchtint product line is performance engineered with 3M polyester materials. Because 3M understands polyester film, we use only top quality polyesters in our product.

METALLIZING: Very thin metallized layers are the key to sun control film performance. Three methods for coating thin film metal layers are utilized to engineer 3M Scotchtint Sun Control Window Films to meet customer performance requirements. Most competitors use only one method to coat metal layers. 3M can use all three alone or in conjunction with each other to enhance performance.

ADHESIVE SYSTEM: A solar control film is only as good as its adhesive system. For nearly 70 years, nobody has been better at adhesives than 3M. Only 3M Scotchtint products have a proprietary acrylic adhesive system developed by 3M especially for window film. When properly applied it will result in a clean, easy installation, that is long lasting with no bubbling, blistering or wrinkling. 3M's pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) is performance engineered to form an aggressive bond to the glass, and can be easily removed at the end of its useful life, unlike some chemical bond adhesive systems, that fuse to the surface of the glass and are difficult and costly to remove. 3M Scotchtint Window Films with 3M's unique adhesive system will give you overall performance long after some manufacturer's films have aged and deteriorated.

UV INHIBITORS: 3M Scotchtint Films utilize UV inhibitors in the adhesive system. With 3M Scotchtint Film, up to 99% of the ultra violet rays from the sun are stopped within the adhesive system. The adhesive system in 3M Scotchtint films is not significantly affected by UV rays over time and will not turn yellow. The 3M'' UV inhibitor system does not break down with time and will afford optimum performance for years to come. Because the UV inhibitors are in the adhesive, the film itself is protected from the damaging effects of the sun.

ABRASION RESISTANCE: 3M abrasion resistant technology allows for application of a very durable hard surface. This abrasion resistant coating reduces scratching or demetalizing when the film is bumped, touched or cleaned. This coating is tested according to ASTM-D1044, Standard Method of Test for Resistance of Transparent Plastics to Surface Abrasion. 3M's Abrasion Resistant Coatings have been time tested with over 30 years of film manufacturing and installation experience.

PRODUCT TESTING: 3M maintains world class testing facilities to assure 3M Scotchtint Film quality. 3M's indoor weathering facility is the largest of its kind in the world. Numerous programmed weatherometer cycles simulating solar energy in conjunction with humidity are utilized to evaluate longevity. An Independent Laboratory performs auxiliary testing that includes accelerated aging for up to 3,000 hours. In addition to weatherometers, outdoor testing in Florida and Arizona is performed. A Spectrophotometer is used to evaluate and monitor all film performance on glass. Prolonged testing assures long term film durability, adhesive performance, resistance to metallic corrosion, and maintenance of performance characteristics. The tests performed are published by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and are listed below.

ASTM-408: Standard Method for Total Normal Emittance by inspection Meter.
ASTM E-308: Standard Recommended Practice for Spectro-Photometry and Description of Color in CIE1931 (this is an indicator of luminous reflection and visibility).
ASTM-E903: Standard Methods of Test for Solar absorbance, reflectance and transmittance using an integrated sphere.
ASTM G-90: Standard Practice for Performing Accelerated Outdoor Weatherizing for Non-Metallic Materials Using Concentrated Natural Light.
ASTM G26: Xenon arc weathering to accelerate natural aging
ASTM E-84: Flammability is always a concern for commercial and residential structures. 3M Scotchtint Window Film meets the requirements for a Class "A" Interior Finish for building materials for both Flame Spread Index and Smoke Developed Values.

WARRANTY: 3M provides the most comprehensive limited warranty coverage in the industry. Some companies offer a longer warranty but are limited in the more costly removal and reapplication labor. In the event that 3M Scotchtint film is found to be defective, within the limited warranty period, the film will be replaced at no charge to the customer. This includes the labor cost of removal and reapplication free of charge. 3M has a 2 year, Glass Breakage and Seal Failure Warranty, if breakage is caused directly from the application of the film. Should the glass break or seal fail due to the film within two years of application, 3M will replace the glass (maximum $500.00 per window), and the applicator will replace the film. In addition, the 3M Warranty allows the use of ammonia cleaning agents.