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Significant Accounting Policies - Basis of Presentation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2017 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Jun. 30, 2017 | Mar. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Sep. 30, 2016 | Jun. 30, 2016 | Mar. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015
Net sales | $ 7,990 | $ 8,172 | $ 7,810 | $ 7,685 | $ 7,329 | $ 7,709 | $ 7,662 | $ 7,409 | $ 31,657 | $ 30,109 | $ 30,274
Operating expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cost of sales | $ 4,094 | $ 4,059 | $ 4,020 | $ 3,882 | $ 3,736 | $ 3,867 | $ 3,817 | $ 3,698 | 16,055 | 15,118 | 15,351
Selling, general and administrative expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 6,626 | 6,311 | 6,233
Research, development and related expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,870 | 1,764 | 1,757
Gain on sale of businesses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (586) | (111) | (47)
Total operating expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 23,965 | 23,082 | 23,294
Operating income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 7,692 | 7,027 | 6,980
Other expense (income), net |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 144 | (26) | 157
Income before income taxes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 7,548 | 7,053 | 6,823
ASU 2017-07 Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost | Previously Reported |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 31,657 | 30,109 | 30,274
Operating expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cost of sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 16,001 | 15,040 | 15,383
Selling, general and administrative expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 6,572 | 6,222 | 6,229
Research, development and related expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,850 | 1,735 | 1,763
Gain on sale of businesses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (586) | (111) | (47)
Total operating expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 23,837 | 22,886 | 23,328
Operating income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 7,820 | 7,223 | 6,946
Other expense (income), net |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 272 | 170 | 123
Income before income taxes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 7,548 | 7,053 | 6,823
ASU 2017-07 Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost | Change |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Operating expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cost of sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 54 | 78 | (32)
Selling, general and administrative expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 54 | 89 | 4
Research, development and related expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 20 | 29 | (6)
Total operating expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 128 | 196 | (34)
Operating income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (128) | (196) | 34
Other expense (income), net |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ (128) | $ (196) | $ 34

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- Definition The aggregate costs incurred during an accounting period to research and develop new products/technologies when the technological feasibility has not been reached, and related expenses, which primarily include technical support provided by 3M to customers who are using existing 3M products; internally developed patent costs, which include costs and fees incurred to prepare, file, secure and maintain patents; and amortization of acquired patents. + References No definition available. + Details
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