Lapping Film final polish products give you a new dimension of consistency and control for
polishing ceramic fiber optic connectors. These advanced polishing films are engineered to last
longer, for higher yields, less rework and lower costs per part.
3M lapping films deliver consistent results, reducing the need for costly rework. And they easily
produce optimal fiber height and outstanding visual quality, helping finished connectors meet
Telecordia standards.
These films contain proprietary high performance silica and resins coated on 3 mil films. 3M final
polish products are part of a complete lineup of lapping films designed for fiber optic connector
polishing. They provide precision alternatives to messy slurries that require time-intensive cleanup.
When used together as an integrated system, these matched 3M technologies can deliver even
greater process improvements, while helping to simplify sourcing and recordkeeping.
The 3M Final Polish Products Family
Choose the right combination of speed, control and durability to match the needs of your application.
Film
865X
Features
High quality. Lasts 2 to 3x longer
than our original final polish films.
Maintains good fiber heights with
tight standard deviation.
Polishing Machine Compatibility
Easy to use on most common machine types.
Product Configuration
Available in discs, sheets
and rolls.
Standard and custom sizes.
Available in discs, sheets
and rolls.
Standard and custom sizes.
863X
Polishes more slowly than 863XW. For use on most polishing machines and
fixtures, including machines that run at higher
Offers more controlled cut rate.
speeds and higher pressures.
Designed for use on machines that run at lower
Available in discs, sheets
speeds and lower pressures.
Higher mineral content than 863X,
and rolls.
863XW
Can be used on IPC (Individual Pressure
for faster polishing.
Control) fixtures that allow connectors to float Standard and custom sizes.
independently under lower pressures.
Fiber Height for Number of Uses
on 2.5mm and 1.25mm Ceramic Connectors
30
20
Fiber Height
(nm)
10
0
-10
-20
-30
-40
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Uses
3M Film 865X – 2.5mm
3M Film 863X – 2.5mm
Competitor 1 – 2.5mm
Competitor 2 – 2.5mm
3M Film 865X – 1.25mm
Competitor 1 – 1.25mm
Actual usage could be longer or shorter depending on equipment, connectors, and process conditions.
2
3M
™
Lapping Films – Engineered for Improved Polish Quality and Productivity
3M
™
Lapping Film 865X Backreflection Results
25
20
Frequency
15
10
5
0
Fiber optic connector end face quality
after 3M
™
Lapping Film 865X final
polish. Picture at 800X magnification.
55
56
57
58
59
Backreflection (-db)
60
61
Using 3M
™
Lapping Films 865X, 863X/863XW for your final polishing step helps you
easily meet Telecordia backreflection standards.
Suggested polishing sequences with 3M
™
Lapping Film Final Finish Products
Select your polishing sequence based on the type of connector and polishing equipment
specifications. These recommended sequences provide typical starting points. Your actual process
may vary, depending on your equipment and finish requirements. 3M offers a full line of additional
lapping films.
Step
Product
3M ID
Micron
Grade
Mineral
Pad
Color Hardness Time Speed Pressure
(durometer) (sec) (rpm) (g/conn)
Charcoal
Purple
or White
White
70-80
70-80
70-80
30-60 130-150
150
Consistency
+
High Quality
End Face
2.5 mm UPC Connectors (Option 1)
Denub-Epoxy 3M Lapping
461X or 462X 9, 5 or 3 Silicon Carbide
Removal
Film
™
3M Diamond 661X, 661XU, 1 or 0.5 Diamond
Step 2
Lapping Film 660XV or 662XW
3M Lapping
Step 3
865X*
NA Silicon Dioxide
Film
™
30-60 130-150 150-225
60-90 130-150 150-225
+
Life
Long
2.5 mm UPC Connectors (On slow or low pressure machine
s)
Denub-Epoxy
Removal
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
3M Lapping
461X
15 Silicon Carbide
Film
3M Diamond
6
Diamond
Lapping Film
3M Diamond 661X, 661XU,
3
Diamond
Lapping Film 660XV or 662XW
3M Diamond
1 or 0.5 Diamond
Lapping Film
3M Lapping
865X*
NA Silicon Dioxide
Film
Charcoal
Brown
Pink
Purple
or White
White
60-70
60-70
60-70
60-70
70-80
30
60
45
45
Fixed
Fixed
Fixed
Fixed
100-200
100-200
100-200
100-200
100-200
That’s the Value
of 3M
™
Lapping
Film 865X
90-120 Fixed
2.5 mm APC Connectors
Denub-Epoxy 3M Lapping
461X
15 Silicon Carbide
Removal
Film
Cutting Angle
661X
15 or 30 Diamond
3M Diamond
Step 2
3
Diamond
Lapping Film 661X, 661XU,
660XV or 662XW 1 or 0.5 Diamond
Step 3
Step 4
3M Lapping
Film
865X*
NA
Charcoal
Orange
Pink
Purple
or White
Glass
Glass
70-80
70-80
70-80
30-60 130-150
150
30-60 130-150 150-225
60-90 130-150 150-225
Silicon Dioxide White
1.25 mm LC and MU Connectors
Denub-Epoxy
Removal
Step 2
Step 3
3M Lapping 461X or 462X 9, 5 or 3 Silicon Carbide
Film
3M Diamond 661X, 661XU, 1 or 0.5 Diamond
Lapping Film 660XV or 662XW
3M Lapping
865X*
NA Silicon Dioxide
Film
Charcoal
Purple
or White
White
80-90
80-90
80-90
3
30-60 100-120 75-125
30-60 100-120 100-150
30-90 100-120 100-150
*Films 863X or 863XW are also available for final polish applications.
3M
™
Lapping Films
Important Notice:
Before using this product, you must evaluate it and determine if it is suitable for your intended application. You assume all risks and liability
associated with such use. Please consult the 3M product technical data sheet and Material Safety Data Sheet before use.
Warranty; Limited Remedy; Limited Liability:
3M’s product warranty is stated in its Product Literature available upon request. 3M MAKES NO OTHER WARRANTIES
INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. If this product is defective within the
warranty period stated above, your exclusive remedy shall be, at 3M’s option, to replace or repair the 3M product or refund the purchase price of the 3M product. Except
where prohibited by law, 3M will not be liable for any indirect, special, incidental or consequential loss or damage arising from this 3M product, regardless of the legal