Ionbond – your partner for customized automotive coating solutions
You can already read it in our slogan: we are the surface engineers. When it comes to providing coating solutions for the automotive industry, that means understanding your application in depth and then designing the solution that meets your requirement. Through this distinctive approach, we can position ourselves as a true development partner, in addition to a high-quality coating provider.
Adding value from the earliest design stage
We have decades of experience designing and delivering coating solutions for the automotive sector, so we understand the cost and performance pressures that are at play. When we are involved at the earliest design stage of a new product, we can help guide the design to increase quality and reduce costs at the coating stage.
This includes such design choices as:
The early design stage is the ideal starting point for our involvement. In many cases, it is easier and cheaper to make changes that benefit the coating process before the manufacturing process is set in stone.
Placement of holes, for easier fixturing and increasing the loading capacity of the coating machine
Decisions about manufacturing processes, to reduce post-treatment
Making sure that the areas to be coated are placed for optimum coating quality and adhesion
Detailed questionnaires to guarantee optimum performance
As part of our design guidelines, we need to know the ins and outs of your design and manufacturing approach:
The base materials of the component and counterpart.
The hardness of the base material, including existing heat treatments, case hardening depth, tempering temperature, etc.
Intended manufacturing processes: cutting, grinding, or something else? Will any oils be used, which may require specific cleaning steps before coating?
The surface roughness characteristics of the component. A complex metric consisting of Ra, Rz, Rp, Rv, Rpk, Rvk and Rk, for which we have advanced analysis methods plus scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to visualize the surface quality.
The operating conditions of the component: dry or lubricated? For instance, will it be in contact with oils, additives, fuel, LNG, or hydrogen gas?
The expected temperature range in the application.
The shape of the component. It is important to see if we can design it so the functional surface areas face the sources in the machine, to get the best coating results. Conversely, the less important areas can be used for fixturing, etc.
Turning your information into a tailored coating solution
With this information, we can put together a thorough understanding of the tribological system the component will be part of. This is the basis for the design of the coating solution and the calculation of expected costs. Ionbond has a wide range of proven coatings, which can be tailored for optimum:
After this stage, the coating is ready for sampling and use. Often, we also do an improvement step. Not just to improve the coating, but sometimes also to reduce overengineering – perhaps a thinner coating is enough to meet the requirements, and we can scale back the coating thickness and save costs.
Hardness
Thickness
Composition
Multilayers to combine properties
Adjustment to lubrication
Necessity of running-in layers
Coating cycle design
Ensuring that the coating temperature does not exceed the tempering temperature, which may necessitate longer and more expensive coating processes.
When do we use this approach?
Our thorough assessment approach is important both for new designs and existing applications. For a new design, the benefits are obvious. But sometimes, an engine changes or a fuel type changes. In those cases, it’s important to reassess and adapt the coating to keep performing as expected in the new conditions.
Our trained engineers are looking forward to working with you on developing or upgrading the coating solution for your application. This process is supported by our Ionbond competence center, with extended analysis capacity.
Get in touch
Discuss your challenges with André Hieke
André Hieke, Global Segment Manager Automotive, will be glad to support you.
We will get back to you as soon as possible
André Hieke
Global Segment Manager Automotive
André Hieke
Global Segment Manager Automotive
Read and find articles crafted exact for you
Ionbond – your partner for customized automotive coating solutions
You can already read it in our slogan: we are the surface engineers. When it comes to providing coating solutions for the automotive industry, that means understanding your application in depth and then designing the solution that meets your requirement. Through this distinctive approach, we can position ourselves as a true development partner, in addition to a high-quality coating provider.
Ionbond coatings for next-generation autonomous driving
Did you know that PVD coatings might play an important role in bringing self-driving automobiles to market? Read more in our article, and come see us at IZB 2024 in Germany!
PVD for high-quality automotive design – a growing trend
More and more automotive designers are looking to physical vapor deposition (PVD) coatings to give their car interiors and exteriors an exclusive esthetic. PVD coatings are thin, durable, scratch and wear resistant, and have a premium look and feel. Ionbond is working with high-end car brands to deliver the optimum coating solution for their unique designs. Want to hear more about what we’re doing in this area? Come talk to us at IZB in Wolfsburg, 22-24 October 2024.
Watch our new corporate video!
At Ionbond, we are proud of what we have achieved. We have over 30 coating centers around the world, a fleet of high-tech coating machines and a wide range of proven, innovative PVD, CVD and PACVD coatings. More than that, we are proud to offer one of the largest network of surface engineers, ready to provide local support to our customers everywhere.
Ionbond visiting FABTECH in October!
Join us at our boothS30103 in Orlando, Florida (USA), from October 15 to 17 for the 2024 edition of FABTECH, North America’s largest trade show for metal forming and fabricating. We’re looking forward to showing our premium performance coatings for forming metals and non-ferrous metals, aluminum die casting as well as our developments in plasma nitriding for duplex coatings. In addition, we’d love to hear about your current projects and challenges in forming and molding.
New! Whitepaper on coating development for a hydrogen application
We are proud to present our whitepaper on developing coating solutions for components used in hydrogen, for instance in a hydrogen internal combustion engine. This is a lesser-known application of hydrogen technology for mobility – compared to the more well-known hydrogen fuel cells – yet with strong potential for specific applications such as long haul trucks and heavy duty construction vehicles. The whitepaper is available for download now! Let’s start with a little preview of what it covers.
Ionbond’s technological developments in cutting tool coatings in the USA
We’ve got several interesting pieces of news for cutting tool manufacturers in North and Latin America! With new technology in the Ionbond coating center in Duncan (South Carolina), it will be the second USA coating center after Madison Heights (Michigan) to offer the recently developed universal AuroraX™ Plus coating. In addition, both coating centers offer many of the other Ionbond Premium Plus PVD coatings, such as Tetrabond™ Plus, Hardcut™ Plus, Crosscut™ Plus and Maximizer™ Plus. Finally our coating center in Cleveland (Ohio) is expanding capacity with the installation of state-of-the-art CVD technology by the end of 2024.
Join the Ionbond Summer School about Duplex Coatings
We are excited to launch the first Ionbond Summer School program on Duplex Coatings. Discover and learn more about how to boost the performance of your forming application with duplex coatings and plasma nitriding in 5 insightfull lessons.
PVD coating solutions for hard chrome and PFAS replacement
Looking for non-toxic alternatives for hard chrome plating and PTFE coatings?
So have we! At Ionbond, we have developed PVD recipes that can provide a viable alternative to these common coatings, even in highly regulated industries like the aerospace sector. Sounds interesting? Read our article and let’s meet up at the Farnborough International Airshow to discuss your application.
Ionbond's Advanced Coating Solutions for the Aerospace Industry
As a leader in surface enhancement technology, Ionbond continues to set benchmarks in the aerospace sector with its innovative coating solutions. Our participation in prominent events such as the Farnborough International Airshow underscores our commitment to advancing aerospace technology.
NEW Whitepaper: Decorative PVD Coatings for low temperature on plastics
In the realm of product manufacturing, the quest for both aesthetic appeal and durability often leads to a common dilemma: how to make plastic components look more luxurious and stand up to the rigours of daily use. This is where the innovative use of Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) coatings offers a solution that enhances both the visual and functional quality of plastic parts across various industries.
Ionbond Sweden opens new, high-capacity coating center
Ionbond Sweden is opening a state-of-the-art coating centre. The new facility will triple the company's floor space and boost production capacity, enabling to better serve various sectors, including cutting, forming, automotive, decorative, and industrial components. The new plant is carbon-neutral and is 100% renewable energy-powered. It is the result of the company’s commitment to growth and sustainability. Ionbond Sweden is now ready to take on larger orders, further solidifying its reputation as a dependable global partner for high-quality coating solutions.