BONN, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
At the 23rd annual German Research Organisation for Surface
Treatment (DFO – Deutsche Forschungsgesellschaft für
Oberflächenbehandlung) European Automotive Coating Conference held in
Bonn, Germany, in May 2016, Sven Radek, Group Leader for Process and
Application for Axalta Coating Systems (NYSE: AXTA) in its
Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region, examined the challenges
and opportunities that lightweight automotive design brings to coatings
systems used by car manufacturers (OEMs).
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Sven Radek, Group Leader for Process and Application for Axalta Coating Systems in its Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region. (Photo: Axalta)
“Lightweight vehicle construction is definitely driving innovation in
low-bake coatings,” Radek said. “Over the next 15 years, automotive
manufacturers will be replacing standard steel with high-performance
steel, aluminum, plastics and composites. They will also be cutting
weight from safety, communication and electrical components in an effort
to make vehicles lighter to reduce emissions and fuel consumption. These
changes will have a significant impact on coating systems, as many of
the new, lighter materials cannot withstand high-bake temperatures.”
Radek referenced the research that Axalta, a leading global manufacturer
of liquid and powder coatings, is conducting on new technologies that
hold the promise of integrating existing low-temperature paint system
solutions. To date, no comprehensive, integrated solution exists that
suits all application situations.
Radek explained, “Axalta is benefiting from its 150 years of experience
in coatings, in particular the technological insight from our refinish
paints. We can then work to transfer this knowledge into workable and
successful solutions for the OEM market.”
Axalta already has low-bake systems that cure faster and at lower oven
temperatures than traditional systems to help car manufacturers reduce
energy costs and enable them to use new materials. The company also has
an active development program for low-temperature topcoats and
electrodeposition coats, as well as for two coat (2K) fillers, 2K PUR
waterborn basecoats and 2K clearcoats that can cure at 80°C. With
sustainability and productivity at their core, many of Axalta’s new
systems share the ability to reduce the number of bake steps while
aiming to deliver the same full layer performance as traditional coating
processes.
Radek explained the existing low-temperature paint systems available for
plastic automotive parts, for trucks and buses, as well as for
specialized colors for customised OEMs that cure between 80°C and 125°C.
He also examined the benefits and disadvantages of different
technologies that allow curing at lower temperatures ranging from 70°C
to 120°C.
Finally, Radek presented possible process options for the future. One
scenario that is becoming popular again is UV drying on the paint line.
Axalta’s UV Monocure System, one of the company’s Harmonized Coating
Technologies™, replaces drying ovens with UV curing. This can reduce the
drying zone footprint by as much as 70%. He also discussed how new
robotic application will open up the possibility of reaching so-called
shadow zones – those that are very hard to reach during the coating
process.
Radek concluded, “The next decisive step is the integration of
individual low-temperature solutions – materials, processes, application
methods – and their transfer to pilot production. At Axalta, we take our
role as a strong partner to the automotive OEMs very seriously. Our aim
is to support them in achieving improved productivity, lower VOC
emissions, reduced energy consumption, and lower facility investment and
operation costs.”
The DFO European Automotive Coating Conference is attended by
professionals from the automotive manufacturing and paint industries and
aims to explore coating developments.
For more information on Axalta worldwide, please visit www.axaltacoatingsystems.com
About Axalta Coating Systems – Celebrating 150 Years in the Coatings
Industry
Axalta is a leading global company focused solely on coatings and
providing customers with innovative, colorful, beautiful and sustainable
solutions. From light OEM vehicles, commercial vehicles and refinish
applications to electric motors, buildings and pipelines, our coatings
are designed to prevent corrosion, increase productivity and enable the
materials we coat to last longer. With 150 years of experience in the
coatings industry, the 12,800 people of Axalta continue to find ways to
better serve our more than 100,000 customers in 130 countries every day
with the finest coatings, application systems and technology. For more
information visit axaltacoatingsystems.com
and follow us on Twitter @axalta and on LinkedIn.
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Source: Axalta Coating Systems