Test the right stem density, adhesive system, and fastening strength before committing to full rolls. 3M™ Dual Lock™ Trial Bags offer short-length samples engineered for quick evaluation on your specific substrates, whether you are bonding metals, composites, HSE plastics, or coated surfaces.
Why Choose 3M™ Dual Lock™ Trial Bags?
Trial Bags remove the risk from material qualification. Instead of purchasing full rolls, you can evaluate actual 3M Dual Lock performance under your own environmental, load, and surface conditions. Each strip features 3M’s signature reclosable mushroom-head interlock system, which provides up to five times the tensile and shear holding power of traditional hook-and-loop closures.
They are ideal when you need to confirm:
• Required stem density (170/250/400) for the correct balance of shear strength and re-engagement life
• Compatibility with high surface energy (HSE) substrates such as aluminium, stainless steel, and glass
• Performance on low surface energy (LSE) plastics when paired with the correct adhesive system
• Pull-apart resistance, cycling endurance, vibration damping, and reusability
Trial Bags give engineers, fabricators, OEMs and makers the confidence to select the right Dual Lock configuration before scaling.
Technical Specifications
Although each Trial Bag varies by SKU, most include:
• Mushroom-shaped stems that engage with a tactile “snap” indicating full closure
• High tensile and shear strength, depending on stem density
• Indoor/outdoor durability, including UV and moisture resistance for selected acrylic-adhesive versions
• Adhesive options (depending on bag):
– High-performance acrylic adhesives for metals, HSE plastics, powder coat, and painted surfaces
– LSE-friendly adhesive variants for polypropylene and polyethylene
• Temperature resistance (product dependent): typically from –30°C to +90°C
• Cycle life that supports repeated opening and closing without significant loss in holding power
These short test lengths let you confirm real-world behaviour including edge lift, dwell time, cure characteristics, and bond integrity under load.
Application Guide
To maximise the holding power of 3M™ Dual Lock™ fasteners:
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Prepare the substrate. Clean with isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and allow the surface to dry. Low surface energy plastics may benefit from 3M Primer 94.
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Apply firm pressure. Dual Lock adhesives are pressure-sensitive and bond best with uniform pressure across the full surface.
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Allow dwell time. Acrylic adhesives build strength over 24–72 hours. Avoid loading the fastener prematurely.
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Engage the stems completely. Slide pieces into alignment, then press until you hear/feel the “snap” of full engagement.
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Test cycling performance. Evaluate how the chosen stem density responds to repeated opening/closing under real project conditions.
FAQs
Are 3M Dual Lock Trial Bags reusable?
Yes. The Dual Lock reclosable fastener system can be opened and re-engaged many times without major loss of shear or tensile strength.
Do Trial Bags include adhesive-backed and non-adhesive options?
Depending on the SKU. Some include plain-back (no adhesive) for sewing, mechanical fastening, or liquid adhesive use. Others include factory-applied 3M acrylic adhesives for bonding to metals, plastics, or composites.
Will it work on powder-coated surfaces?
Most acrylic adhesive versions bond well to powder coat, provided the surface is cleaned and full cure time is observed.
Can I test different stem densities in one order?
Yes. Trial Bags are specifically designed to let you compare performance between 170, 250, and 400 stem combinations.