All-in-One Process Portfolio for Every Need in Metal Surface Treatment

As a leading company in metal surface treatment processes, Henkel Adhesive Technologies offers a range of Bonderite solutions for OEMs and suppliers looking to machine new alloys and multi-metal materials while enhancing sustainability. Faced with tighter regulatory requirements and growing consumer awareness of fuel efficiency and reduced emissions, automotive manufacturers have begun to prefer very lightweight and mixed metals that provide significant weight savings instead of traditional steel sheets or galvanized alloys. In 2016, BENSELERGroup, a leading supplier to many European automobile manufacturers, opened a new facility in Germany dedicated to cathodic dip coating (CDC) of automotive body parts and structural components. The facility, with a capacity of approximately 1,000 square meters of metal surface coating per hour, relies on various processes addressing major cost, performance and sustainability issues in metal pre-treatment offered by Henkel. Deoxidation and chromium-free conversion using Bonderite M-NT 2040, which is based on revolutionary phosphate-free Henkel technology focused on aluminium components, multi-metal and lightweight metal surfaces, is achieved. The final step before dip coating of steel parts is a special three-cationic zinc phosphating process. Both techniques activate the substrate and create an ideal surface for subsequent priming and excellent corrosion protection.

The comprehensive Bonderite portfolio includes nickel-free, chromium-free and zinc-free innovative processes for almost every metal substrate. This provides customers with a "total solutions" package of chemistry and expert coating across the entire value chain before, during and after pre-treatment.

Recent developments include highly specialized formulations such as Bonderite M-NT 160/161 for magnesium/zirconium and M-NT 400 for aluminium/titanium. In addition to M-NT TecTalis, a new M-ZN two-step process is available for steel or galvanized steel with aluminium combinations. With the development of Bonderite M-NT 160/161, Henkel underscored its unique position as a surface treatment specialist for lightweight metals. The advanced process can not only be used in the conversion phase of magnesium/aluminium hybrid surfaces, but is also the world's only solution at the end of the day for providing magnesium parts for paint preparation. Depending on component size and complexity, successful conversion can be carried out between 15 and 180 seconds. At ambient temperatures between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius, the chromium-free process improves paint adhesion on the substrate while creating a layer that provides better protection against corrosion. In addition, customers conducting comprehensive metal surface treatment operations can benefit from the unique Lineguard process control equipment found in Henkel's modular equipment and software configurations. Lineguard has state-of-the-art PLC, sensor and HMI technology adapted and seamlessly integrated to provide total system solutions tailored to each customer's individual needs, from chemical pre-treatment and pumps to automatic process data collection and comprehensive documentation. This, combined with Henkel's global capabilities, creates a highly cost-effective "single customer representative" approach. Suppliers such as BENSELER-Group can benefit from this comprehensive offering, gaining a competitive edge in surface treatment by capitalizing on lightweight reduction opportunities opened up by new alloys and multi-metal materials in the automotive and other key industries. Bonderite and Lineguard are registered trademarks of Henkel and/or its subsidiaries in Germany and other locations.