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Scotchlite™
Diamond Grade™Conspicuity Sheeting
Series 981
Product Bulletin 981 July 1997
Health and Safety Information
Read all heath hazard, precautionary, and first aid
statements found in the Material Safety Data
Sheet and/or product label of chemicals prior to
handling or use.
Description
3M™ Scotchlite™ Diamond Grade™
Conspicuity Sheeting Series 981 is a highly
retroreflective prismatic sheeting designed to
mark the sides and rear of vehicles for enhanced
visibility and detection. The reflective sheeting
consists of prismatic lenses that are formed in a
transparent, synthetic resin, sealed and backed
with a pressure-sensitive adhesive and clear poly
liner. Applied to properly prepared substrate
Diamond Grade sheeting should provide seven
year field performance.
Product Code Color
981-10 Solid White
981-32 11" Red/7" White
981-326 6" Red/6" White
981-71 Solid Yellow
981-72 Solid Red
Series 981-10, 981-32, 981-326 and 981-72 meet
or exceed all FMMVSS 108 requirements, includ-
ing DOT-C2 Certification Mark.
• 1", 1.5", 2", 3" and 4" wide x 50' rolls
• Available in red, white, and alternating red/white,
yellow
• High brightness
• Wide angularity to almost 90˚ from
perpendicular
Easy to apply
• Aggressive Pressure Sensitive Adhesive
• Easy to remove liner
• Available with premask
• Precut pieces, or cut pieces on a roll
Durable
• Presealed edges
• Non-metallic construction to prevent corrosion
• Full 7 year warranty (non-prorated)
Color Product Code Size DOT Mark
White 981-10 2", 3", 4" x 50yds (Edge Sealed) Yes
Red/White 981-32 1", 1-1/2", 2", 3", 4" x 50yds (Edge Sealed) Yes
(Alternating Pattern)
Red/White 981-326 1", 1-1/2", 2" x 50yds (Edge Sealed) Yes
(Alternating Pattern)
Yellow 981-71 1", 1-3/4", 2" x 50 yds (Edge Sealed) No
Red 981-72 2", 3", 4" x 50 yds (Edge Sealed) Yes
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Coefficient of Retroreflection
Measurements are made in accordance with ASTM E-810 "Standard Test Method for Coefficient of
Retroreflective Sheeting" in terms of candlepower per foot-candle per square foot (candelas per lux per
square meter).
1Observation Angle 0.2˚ 0.5˚
2Entrance Angle -4˚ 30˚ 45˚ 60˚ -4˚ 30˚ 45˚ 60˚
981 Typical Values White 900 700 600 140 600 300 130 100
(FMVSS 108 Requirement) (250) (250) (60) (N/A) (65) (65) (15) (N/A)
981 Typical Values Red 210 180 160 30 160 95 45 20
(FMVSS 108 Requirement) (60) (60) (15) (N/A) (10) (10) (4) (N/A)
981 Typical Values Yellow 590 350 170 70 365 200 105 50
1Observation Angle - the angle formed by the light beam striking the reflective surface and the light beam returning to the
observer (from 800 feet, a motorist normally views a marking at approximately an 0.2˚ observation angle).
2Entrance Angle - the angle formed by a light beam striking a surface at a point and a line perpendicular to the surface at the
same point.
Typical Physical Properties
The following technical information should be considered typical only and should not be used for specification
purposes.
Property FMMVSS 108 Requirement Series 981 Typical Value
Thickness (Caliper) No requirement 0.014" - 0.016"
Whiteness
Reflective Limit Y > 15 White 45 White
ASTM E1164 > 2.5 Red 5 Red
Gloss No requirement 100
ASTM D523 @ 85˚
Dimensional Stability < 1/8" change on No measurable change
ASTM D4956 9" x 9" panel
Flexibility - wrap around No cracking No cracking
0.125" mandrel @ 32˚F (0˚C)
High pressure wash test No requirement Passes
45˚ angle, 1200 psi, 8" away
Adhesion
90˚ Hanging Weight < 2" (55mm) movement) 0.2" (4 mm)
ASTM D4956
Minimum Application Temp. 60˚F (15˚C)
Instron Peel Adhesion*
12"/min., 90˚ pullback No requirement Degreased aluminum 5.3 lb/in (.95 kg/cm)
Prepainted panel 3.0 lb/in (0.55 kg/cm)
Stainless steel 6.0 lb/in (1.1 kg/cm)
FRP 2.5 lb/in (0.52 kg/cm)
Tedlar™ 3.0 lb/in (0.54 kg/cm)
Aluminum Rail 3.5 lb/in (0.56 kg/cm)
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Property FMMVSS 108 Requirement Series 981 Typical Value
Chemical Resistance No requirement Not affected by toluene, #2 diesel
SAE J1967 fuel, gasoline (leaded) kerosene, TSP
detergent, xylene, dilute metal
brighteners
Corrosion Resistance
ASTM B-117 Salt Spray No requirement No effect 1000 Hours
Impact Resistance
Room Temperature No damage outside impact No damage outside impact
100 in-lb, 5/8" tip
Cold temperature No requirement No damage outside impact
60 in-lbs at -20˚F
Product Maintenance
Cleaning
Routine washing is recommended for maximum
performance. The following cleaning methods are
recommended.
• Wash with sponge, cloth or soft brush using
water and detergent.
• Automatic truck wash.
• Standard hand spray high pressure washing
(1200 psi with wand held at least 12” from the
surface at an angle less than 45˚ from perpendic-
ular.
• When using metal brighteners, follow manufac-
turer’s recommendations for dilution.
Thoroughly rinse from sheeting after soaking
vehicle.
Storage
• Cool, dry area out of direct sunlight
• Temperature 65-75˚F (18-24˚C) humidity
30-50%.
• Store rolls horizontally, in carton or in original
packaging.
• Store sheets flat.
Shelf Life
• Apply 981 sheeting within two years of receipt
of material.
General Performance Considerations
Series 981 sheeting will provide maximum dura-
bility when:
• 3M recommended procedures are followed.
• Sheeting is applied to vertical surfaces.
• Actual durability will be based on actual
customer use, field testing, exterior exposed
testing and artificial weathering testing.
Durability can be reduced if recommended
techniques are not followed:
• Failing to cut sheeting around rivets, seams and
body panels.
• Improperly used high pressure cleaning.
• Spillage of chemicals or solvents.
• Improper application or surface preparation.
Warranty
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
(3M) warrants that 3M™ Scotchlite™ Diamond
Grade™ Conspicuity Sheeting Series 981 sold by
3M to be used for truck and trailer conspicuity
markings in the United States and Canada will
remain effective for its intended use and meet the
stated minimum values for coefficient of retrore-
flection for seven years, subject to the following
provisions:
Minimum Coefficient of Retroreflection
Candelas per foot candle per Sq. Ft.
Candelas per Lux per Square Meter
(.2˚ Observation and -4˚ Entrance)*
Sheeting Color (FMVSS 108 Requirement)
White 250
Red 60
*All measurements shall be made after cleaning according
to 3M recommendations and in accordance with ASTM E
810 “Standard Test Method for Coefficient of
Retroreflection of Retroreflective Sheeting.”
If Diamond Grade conspicuity sheeting is
processed and applied to a vertical +20˚ surface in
accordance with all 3M application and fabrica-
tion procedures provided in 3M’s product bul-
letins, information folders, technical memos
(which will be furnished to the agency upon
request), including the exclusive use of 3M
process colors and clear coatings, and recom-
mended application equipment; and
If the marking deteriorates due to natural causes;
such as fading, cracking, peeling, lifting, discol-
oration or the coefficient of retroreflection is less
than the minimum herein specified; 3M’s sole
responsibility and purchaser’s and user’s exclusive
remedy shall be that 3M will provide full replace-
ment of the 3M materials for seven years from the
date of installation.
Conditions
Such failure must be solely the result of design or
manufacturing defects in the Diamond Grade con-
spicuity sheeting and not of outside causes such
as: improper fabrication, handling, maintenance
or installation; use of process colors, thinners, or
coatings not made by 3M; use of application pro-
cedures not recommended by 3M; applied to a
surface at greater than +20˚ from vertical; failure
of substrate; exposure to chemicals, abrasion and
other mechanical damage from fasteners used to
mount the marking; collisions, vandalism or mali-
cious mischief.
3M reserves the right to determine the method of
replacement.
Replacement sheeting will carry the unexpired
warranty of the sheeting it replaces.
Claims made under this warranty will be honored
only if 3M is notified of a failure within a reason-
able time, reasonable information requested by
3M is provided, and 3M is permitted to verify the
cause of the failure.
Limitation and Liability
3M’s liability under this warranty is limited to
replacement as stated herein, and 3M assumes no
liability for any incidental or consequential dam-
ages, such as lost profits, business or revenues in
any way related to the product regardless of the
legal theory on which the claim is based. THIS
WARRANTY IS MADE IN LIEU OF ALL
OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED
TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MER-
CHANTABILITY, OF FITNESS FOR A PARTIC-
ULAR PURPOSE, AND ANY IMPLIED WAR-
RANTY ARISING OUT OF A COURSE OF
DEALING OR OF PERFORMANCE, CUSTOM
OR USAGE OF TRADE.
Literature Reference
Application Instructions for Scotchlite Diamond
Grade Conspicuity Sheeting Series 981 IF 4.9
FOR INFORMATION OR ASSISTANCE
CALL:
1-800-553-1380
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Traffic Control Materials Division
3M Center, Building 225-5S-08 3M Canada 3M Mexico, S.A. de C.V.
P.O. Box 33225 P.O. Box 5757 Apartado Postal 14-139 Printed on recycled paper
St. Paul, MN 55133-3225 London, Ontario N6A 4T1 Mexico, D.F. 07070 75-0300-5346-8
