When casting aluminium automotive components, those castings may suffer from porosity defects that can lead to problems in parts such as engine blocks, cylinder heads, and compressors. Porosities are small holes or cracks that can be permeated by fluids or gases. They appear in castings as they change from a liquid to a solid state.
Similarly, troubling microscopic leak paths may occur in electronic assemblies when joining dissimilar materials. Aggressive substances can penetrate into the components, potentially causing short circuits, corrosion and loss of power or other issues.
Such castings and electrical components need to be sealed to ensure they do not leak and that they provide appropriate resistance to chemicals, aggressive fluids and high operating temperatures in the field.
LIGHTWEIGHTING
Markus Alterauge, global business director - Loctite Impregnation Solutions (LIS), notes that automakers are continuing the drive to reduce weight, cut costs and improve fuel efficiency, safety and comfort – all of which point to the need for a high-quality sealing solution.
This, he says, is where a solution like Henkel’s complete Loctite Impregnation Solutions (LIS) product portfolio comes in. Not only does it offer impregnation resins and systems, he points out, but also a customised service through external, as well as tailored, on-site impregnation service centres. Through LIS, Henkel offers the automotive industry a fully automated impregnation system, with its high-tech resins delivering consistent quality sealing performance, states the company.
He points to Henkel’s ambitious growth plan, organically and by acquisition, to accelerate business development and expand its global leading position for impregnation. The claim is that, once Henkel professionally seals components, customers can expect maximum sealing rates, zero damage or distortion, and clean, ready-to-use parts for the subsequent processing steps, while achieving greater levels of sustainability by minimising resin usage, energy costs and shortening the processing time.
IMPREGNATION ADVANCES
In 2015, Alterauge says, the company made a big step forward on the impregnation solutions front. “We opened our first two such centres in Asia-Pacific – in Suzhou and Tianjin, China – and we are working to expand our LIS footprint across other key markets worldwide. At the end of 2015, we acquired the US firm Magna Tech Manufacturing, the North American market leader in vacuum impregnation service with 11 service locations in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
“Magna Tech has developed long-standing relationships with more than 250 North American OEMs and suppliers that service various segments of the automotive industry. Their strong service approach fits perfectly to the Henkel strategy,” he adds.
Henkel also offers a customised impregnation service, whereby it brings its LIS capabilities directly to customers’ facilities. The service – certified to TS 16949 standards –reduces transportation costs and relieves the customer of having to invest in equipment and personnel to manage that process, adds the company. For more information, go to: www.loctiteimpregnation.com.
