Known for its rich history of technological innovation, 3M offers products of renowned quality to protect commercial and residential properties, and 3M safety film is no exception. 3M™ Authorized Dealers have installed 3M™ Safety & Security Window Film on facilities and homes worldwide.

3M™ Safety and Security Window Film is available in series of varying budgets and performance standards, including the Safety Series, Ultra Series and Ultra Prestige Series. Here is a look into the science behind this film.

How 3M Safety Film Works

3M security film helps keep broken glass intact in the event of a forced entry or explosion, deterring intruders and reducing the risk of shard-related injuries. It can be easily applied to any window or glass surface to safeguard against forced impacts and explosive blasts. Window security film installation is fast and disruptions to daily operations are little to none. Thoroughly evaluated through both shock-tube and open-air arena explosive testing, these films can refurbish virtually any glass to meet glazing code requirements.

Intruders naturally look to glass doors and windows for access into buildings. With 3M safety film, their entry can be hindered long enough to provide first responders with valuable time to arrive on scene. Research has proven that forced entries can take up to two minutes longer where security film is applied.

In addition to steadfast security, 3M safety films offer 99% ultraviolet light rejection that preserves interior furnishing and substantially reduces air conditioning costs. Air conditioning savings alone can yield payback in as little as three years.

Protective window films consist of plied or micro-layered compositions, depending on the series. Versatile fabrications allow safety films to meet most case-specific standards, accounting for visual designs, performance and budgets. For instance, the triple-plied Safety S140 offers a break strength of 350lbs per inch with a thickness of 14 millimeters, while the micro-layered Ultra 800 features a tensile strength of 31,500 psi with a thickness of 8 millimeters. Both performance figures are elsewhere unmatched, despite their respective products’ compositional distinction.

Also, security window films can be further reinforced with the 3M™ Impact Protection Adhesive Attachment System. This adhesive solution is designed to anchor film to its glass frame, providing additional support once the glass is broken.

Safety & Security Window Film can be paired with 3M™ Privacy Window Film and 3M™ Fasara Glass Finishes for additional privacy and design.

3M™ Safety & Security Window Film, Safety Series

The Safety Series is 3M’s most affordable line of security film, consisting of four variations of polyester films that range from single to triple-plied: the Safety S40, Safety S70, Safety S80 and Safety S140.

All Safety Series films provide a tensile strength of 25,000, while break strength and other technical factors vary in accordance with film thickness and construction.

3M’s slightest window film, the Safety S40, is single-plied and measures at merely four millimeters thick. Despite its slimness, the S40 holds a break strength of 100lbs per inch and peel strength of over four pounds per inch.

The series’ other single ply film, the Safety S70, is considerably stronger than the S40, possessing a break strength of 175lbs per inch and peel strength of over five pounds per inch. Despite its impressive performance, the S70’s single ply construction allows for it to retain a slimness of seven millimeters.

3M extends a double-plied alternative in their Safety S80, which maintains a reliable break strength of 200lbs per inch.

The Safety S140 is the Safety Series’ strongest film, possessing a break strength of 350lbs per inch by means of its triple-plied, 14-millimeter construction. This performance figure is the highest projected among 3M window films. 3M recommends S140 film for superior deterrence against forced entries.

3M™ Scotchshield™ Safety & Security Window Film, Ultra Series

The Scotchshield™ Ultra Series couples 3M’s patented micro-layered film with tear-resistant technology for one of the industry’s most dependable security window films. Micro-layered film is inherently stronger than polyester, allowing Ultra Series film to post a tensile strength of 31,500 psi while maintaining an eight-millimeter thickness.

This series’ sole product, the Ultra 800, provides a break strength of 253lbs per inch and peel strength of over six pounds per inch. Its elongation at break, which stands at 135%, is highest among 3M safety films. Also, its innovative construction allows for 1,075lbs of tear resistance.

Additionally, the Ultra 800’s micro-layered composition permits excellent light transmission without compromising ultraviolet obstruction, which stands at 99%.

3M™ Scotchshield™ Safety & Security Window Film, Ultra Prestige Series

Ultra Prestige film supplements the Ultra Series’ micro-layered and tear-resistant technologies with superb solar reduction. This film is available in two variations: the Ultra PR S50 and Ultra PR S70.

S50 and S70 films share equal thickness and endurance, of which include a tensile strength of 27,000 psi, break strength of 215lbs per inch and peel strength of over four pounds per inch. Both are 8 millimeters thick and have 120% elongation at break. Ultra Prestige film also withstands 1,100lbs before tearing.

Although they match in strength, S50 and S70 films differ in solar reduction. S50 film can inhibit as much as 46% of solar heat and glare, whereas S70 film can resist as much as 38% of solar heat and 23% of glare. These figures vary in accordance with glass type, which can be clear, double clear, tinted or double tinted. Independently of glass type, however, both films reject 99.9% of ultraviolet light.

Speak with a Local Expert about 3M Safety Film

For more than 25 years, Accent Distributing has worked with 3M solutions. As a 3M™ Authorized Distributor, Accent Distributing has an experienced staff willing to help improve your building security.

Accent Distributing can assist with specifying and bidding any project. The film distributor also can pair you with a security film expert in your community.

For more information, contact Inside Sales at InsideSales@AccentDistributing.com or (941) 922-5268.