Automotive

Powder coating for the automotive industry

Powdertech Surface Science has a long-standing reputation as a technically advanced provider of powder coating and chromate-free TiZr passivation pre-treatment services for aluminium products, serving OEM and Tier 1 companies in the automotive industry.

After more than twenty years working with clients in this sector, we have considerable knowledge of your needs and challenges. You require precision, technical expertise and timeliness, whether managing low-volume, fast turnaround prototype parts or tightly controlled PPAP and PSW processes. Our responsibility is to help you meet your commitments.

Exceptional quality & industry standards in automotive powder coating

Powder coated parts of car interior — Appreciating the importance of aesthetics

Process control at the highest level to deliver the best in aesthetics, durability and corrosion protection.
TiZr chromate-free passivation treatment optimised to enhance adhesive bonding or welding.
Our process meets:
- JLR specification STJLR.50.5002B - with Gardobond® X 4591
- Tesla specification TS-0002074 - with Gardobond® X 4707
- VW/Audi specification TL82428
- Morgan specification MMC 1.27
- BMW 9702
Gardobond etch passivation techniques and Henkel Bonderite M-NT 2040 give equivalent levels of protection
We use Iridite NCP where needed. This is a surface treatment developed in response to ELV, RoHS and WEEE directives, and specified by regulated industry sectors such as aerospace, defence, automotive and medical.
Experts in surface treatments for aluminium alloys and magnesium
Advanced coating technology and testing equipment on-site at our state of the art facility
Access to PhD Material Science technical knowledge in our team
We can arrange final despatch and EDI management into the OEMs
We offer sub-assembly

Developing new surface treatments

Powdertech Surface Science is more than just a processing facility. We have a wealth of knowledge and expertise in automotive powder coatings and surface treatments and work with Tier 1 companies and OEMs to develop and improve coating systems. This work is underpinned by our continuing participation in ongoing UK and EU funded research programmes.

PowderBond, our innovative system for strongly bonding polypropylene to metal without the need for structural adhesive, was developed under one such programme. Joining light weight metals such as aluminium to composite materials has a pivotal role to play for successful designs in the rapidly growing electric vehicle sector.

““Dependable, reliable, they know what they are doing””

— Technical Director, Leading automotive Tier 1

Laboratory equipment for testing the properties of powder coatings — Laboratory testing of all systems and development of new coatings

Typical applications

TiZr for enhanced adhesive bonding or welding on automotive components including chassis components, front end carriers, wheel carriers etc.
Powder coating for corrosion protection on exposed components such as spare wheel carriers, roof racks,
Surface treatments for light weight materials used in electric vehicles such as battery box enclosures,

Some of the clients we work with:

Land Rover
Morgan
Volvo
McClaren
JVM Castings
Fablink
Danecca

““It is the team’s experience and reliability, combined with a willingness to work together in partnership that cements our working relationship with Powdertech.””

— JVM Castings

Automotive surface treatment case studies

Many of our clients are carrying out work with NDAs attached, including prototype development, so we cannot talk about them. Here are a few we can mention.

Commercial Case Studies

Advanced surface treatment technologies for lightweighting in electric vehicles

Two critical aluminium surface treatments delivered by Powdertech Surface Science feature in the Watt Electric Vehicle Company (WEVC) eCV1 electric van.

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TiZr enhanced bonding in Nichols N1A Supercar

We are extremely proud that our optimised TiZr passivation service has ensured secure bonding in the aluminium chassis of such a magnificent vehicle - the Nichols N1A Supercar.

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Optimised TiZr conversion coating for enhanced structural bonding.

Optimized TiZr passivation ensured strong aluminium panel bonding for the Morgan Super 3 chassis, and secure bonding on to powder coated interior door panels.

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