Automotive

While the change to autonomous vehicle technology is influencing many aspects of vehicle development, the most noticeable area for drivers and passengers will likely be the interior.

Temperature is an important consideration throughout the entire vehicle development process. The most prominent example is inside the car where driver and passenger comfort are taken into account. The issue with thermal expansion is that when one substrate grows faster than another during heating, potential issues can arise including distortion and joint stress.

Chemistry, while not always visible to the naked eye, plays a significant role as an enabler of these technologies, transforming the vehicle from the inside out.

The reliability and safety needs of today’s automotive industry requires all parts to be fully sealed against fluids, gases and other external influences. These gaps can be catastrophic because corrosive fluids and moisture can intrude and spread throughout electronic parts and components, causing them to fail.

Faced with tighter regulatory demands and growing consumer awareness of better fuel efficiency and reduced emissions, automotive manufacturers and suppliers are increasingly moving from traditional steel sheet or galvanized alloys to mixed and very lightweight metals that offer significant savings.

Lightweight construction, costs and sustainability continue to challenge the metals processing industry. Helping customers to keep the lead in this dynamic market, Henkel offers a comprehensive package of surface treatment process, product and service solutions for virtually all needs of single-alloy or multi-metal substrates.