3M Adhesive Putty Ingredients

Limestone

• Limestone is the most prevalent ingredient in 3M Scotch Removable Adhesive Putty and makes up 55 to 65 percent of the product by weight. It is a naturally occurring mineral with a chemical composition of calcium carbonate. Limestone is a grayish-white, non-toxic powder.

Talc

• Talc, a natural mineral that is composed of magnesium silicate hydroxide, is the second most prevalent ingredient in 3M Scotch Removable Adhesive Putty. It makes up 15 to 25 percent of the product and is a transparent crystal.

Butylene Polymers

• Butylene polymers bind the limestone and talc together and help to give the putty its adhesive properties. These chemicals are obtained from the refining of crude oil. The exact nature and chemical names of the polymers used in 3M Scotch Removable Adhesive Putty are considered a trade secret. These substances make up 7 to 17 percent of the product by weight.

Petroleum Hydrocarbon

• A petroleum hydrocarbon compound is included in this adhesive putty to improve the elasticity of the putty and make it easy to stretch, shape and remove. Petroleum hydrocarbons are chemicals that are derived from crude oil and include hydrogen and carbon atoms (an example is paint thinner). 3M does not reveal the specifications or chemical name of the petroleum hydrocarbon that makes up 5 to 10 percent of Scotch Removable Adhesive Putty.

Titanium Dioxide

• The whitish pigment titanium dioxide, a common component of many types of paint, makes up 1 to 5 percent of Scotch Removable Adhesive Putty. It is a crystalline powder produced from reactions of the metal titanium and serves as a colorant.

Unsaturated Fatty Acids

• Unsaturated fatty acids make up 1 to 2 percent of Scotch Removable Adhesive Putty. The precise composition of these acids, which occur in animal and vegetable fats and oils, are not known. They are included to make the putty easier to remove.