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High strength steel
Corrosion protection of steel is an important feature to maintain functionality in demanding applications. Our Anti-corrosion coatings provide a uniform black/silver appearance, modify friction / conductivity characteristics as well as improving abrasion resistance and paint adhesion.
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Plastics
The polymers that are being used for decorative trim, electronic components, displays and in-mold electronics are modified to provide; style, individuality, functionality, value, and reliability in various automotive applications. Our surface coatings are applied to plastics to improve aesthetics, haptic feel, and durability.
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Aluminum
Aluminum is used in Chassis, battery packs, thermal management systems, powertrain, interior and exterior parts. For many automotive applications the performance needs to be further enhanced using various surface technologies.
Lightweight
introduction
We understand protecting and enhancing aluminum, plastic and high strength steels.
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For over 50 years we have been developing technology which treats these materials. Today, our compliant products exceed most automotive requirements:
- Protecting aluminum in vehicles from corrosion
- Plating plastic chromium vehicle trim
- Protecting steel fasteners from substrate and contact corrosion
For a company which supplies products and expertise worldwide for all these needs. ESI Automotive. Already on it.
lightweight trends
Lightweight materials for vehicle weight reduction
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Aluminum in vehicles
To enable car weight reduction, new alloys and castings have been developed. This allows designers to make further use of aluminum in cars.
According to European-aluminum, The amount of aluminum in cars is around 150 kg. This could rise to 196 kg by 2025. The significance of this? 100 kg of aluminum in vehicles reduces CO2 emissions by up to 8g per kilometre travelled.
High strength steels have an important role in vehicle weight reduction
Automotive engineers and material suppliers are investing in research and development of lightweight, high strength, readily formable materials. For example, high strength steel suppliers are developing generation three (gen-3) steels which have very high tensile strength as well as high elongation; hence, they can be cold formed.
what you need to know
About surface coatings used in reducing vehicle weight
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Aluminum surface treatments
Aluminum in vehicles needs protecting. It also needs coatings which improve paint adhesion. These coatings must provide both corrosion resistance and meet organic coating adhesion tests. They must also be free of hexavalent chromium.
Our Iridite conversion coatings and Oxidite anodizing products are proven over many years. They are all chromium-free.
Plating on Plastics (POP)
Describes the electroplating of decorative metals onto ABS* based plastic.
First the ABS need is metalized. This achieved by etching the surface. Then coating the roughened surface with traces of a precious metal. This process provides 'seeds' for depositing the copper, nickel and chromium layers.
Coatings for high strength steels
High strength steel needs coatings to provide corrosion resistance. On threaded fasteners they should meet predefined coefficient of friction ranges. Being high strength, coatings should also prevent the risk of hydrogen embrittlement.
For example, ZinKlad 1000 coatings have a high a surface hardness of 500 HVN. This makes them ideal for self-thread cutting threads, as they will not be removed on assembly.
*Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
our expertise
Worldwide supplier of surface treatment technology
We are global, providing innovative chemicals for surface treatment of aluminum, plastics and high strength steel.
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With dedicated OEM and Tier 1 teams, we provide expertise. This enables automotive engineers to specify compliant coating technology. |
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Our state-of-the art integrated technology enhances future automotive designs and meets environmental regulations. |
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A single information point across the automotive supply chain. We provide expertise in coatings for applications such as powertrain, interior / exterior trim and chassis components. |
Quality Performance Systems
We supply and develop QPS standards that meet and exceed OEM specifications.
We validate applicators by
- Auditing
- Inspecting
- Testing
We track and report results on a global scale to be able to service and improve performance.
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frequently asked questions
Surface coatings are applied to a broad range of metal and non-metal surfaces.
These coatings have functional and decorative properties which include uses, such as:
- Improving wear and tear.
- Providing corrosion resistance.
- Decorative uses, such as improving aesthetics.
To enable car weight reduction, new alloys and castings have been developed. This allows design of aluminum brake calipers, chassis and drive train components. Read more >
Lightweight materials for cars enable weight reduction. In production vehicles these are usually aluminum, high strength steels and plastics. Read more >
ESI Automotive focuses on; extending power range and efficiency in electric vehicles (EVs); safety in radar and vision systems for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and Displays and in-mold electronic structures (D&IME), in particular, integrated touchscreen films. The hero car images highlight these main application areas. Read more >
The ESI Automotive initiative helps automotive manufacturers, their supply tiers, PCB board fabricators and surface finishing applicators to meet the evolving demands of the automotive industry.
ESI Automotive have forged strong connections with automotive manufacturers all over the world. Those relationships led us to understand that the needs of the automotive industry are changing. These changes include integration of surface finishing technology, hardcoated films, advanced circuitry and joining materials. Read more>
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