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
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