Technologies
Modern cars are comprised of thousands of individual parts made up from many different materials including both metals and non-metals. Electroplating technology plays a crucial role in helping to achieve the physical and mechanical properties necessary to meet the stringent requirements of the Automotive Industry:
- Chrome (VI) free passivated Zinc or Zinc alloy coatings improve corrosion protection for metal parts.
- Additional top-coats increase the corrosion protection by preventing the dehydration of the passivate layer when exposed to high temperatures, and can provide a defined coefficient of friction – see COVENTYA FINIGARD process.
- Electroless Nickel layers increase the wear resistance.
- Decorative systems, such as Copper-Nickel-Chrome process, both enhance the appearance of metal and plastic parts and significantly improve their corrosion resistance.
- Electroplating is indeed a necessary tool to all Automotive Engineers and Designers.
Processes
The global organization of COVENTYA is emphasized by its local offices located next to the Automotive Industry and its Supplier Industry. Up to date technologies are available for corrosion protection, functional requirements and decorative surfaces.
With the expertise of our local technicians, we will help you select the processes that will best meet your requirements and achieve the best features. Our close relationship to Decision Makers in the Automotive Industry will allow you to enjoy tailor-made developments.
Based upon these developments, we achieved approvals for most of the OEM’s on many of our products. COVENTYA’s ISO TS 16949 certification highlights the high quality level.
Innovations
COVENTYA was one of the first companies to introduce trivalent passivates to the Automotive Industry in 1997. LANTHANE 310 was the first passivate to be approved by Renault and Opel. This was followed by LANTHANE TR 175, which is now the world’s most popular nano-particle based trivalent passivate. Both of the products were crucial in the efforts of replacing hexavalent chromates with high performance trivalent passivates.
We also introduced Performa Membrane Systems for use in alkaline Zinc-Nickel electrolytes to prevent the formation of detrimental by-products from forming at the anode during electrolysis. These membranes are synonymous with improving productivity as they significantly increase cathode efficiency.
We lately introduced the SILKEN Line, a truly innovative pre-treatment technology for plating on plastics (POP). It is particularly well suited for parts used on the interiors of automobiles or for parts that require matte or satin finish. SILKEN ETCH 301, for example, is a pre-plate etching process with significantly reduced hexavalent Chrome content.
