WACKER Now Serving the Automotive Sector

WACKER Now a Direct Supplier to the Automotive Industry Munich-based chemical group WACKER is advancing its silicone business unit's specialization in the electromobility sector. Certain divisions of silicone production have now been successfully certified to automotive standard IATF 16949. As a result, WACKER can now supply silicone products developed and manufactured according to IATF-certified processes to automobile manufacturers and OEMs. The certifications are valid for the Burghausen facility in Germany and selected company divisions at the Zhangjiagang site in China. Corporate functions supporting and controlling the production process have also been certified. [caption id="attachment_135023" align="aligncenter"] WACKER's thermally conductive silicone gap fillers optimize thermal transfer between an electronic circuit that heats during operation and a cooling element. With successful certification to IATF 16949 standard, Munich-based chemical group WACKER can now supply directly to automobile manufacturers as well as system and module suppliers. (Photo: WACKER)[/caption] TÜV NORD CERT, through successful certification, confirms that WACKER's quality management system fully meets the requirements of IATF 16949 standard. Certified production facilities produce two-component silicone rubber formulations cured with an addition reaction at room temperature to create silicone elastomers. Among others, SEMICOSIL®, ELASTOSIL® and WACKER SilGel® serve as heat-conducting gap fillers, silicone adhesives and potting compounds. Silicones have become indispensable materials in electric vehicles. Potting compounds made from silicone rubber reliably protect embedded and control electronics against vibration, moisture and dirt. Thermal gap fillers improve thermal management of electric vehicle batteries and power electronics, which generate significant heat during operation or charging and therefore require reliable cooling. [caption id="attachment_135024" align="aligncenter"] WACKER's silicone gels have been specifically developed for electronics component manufacturers. Certain products can be cured at room temperature or elevated temperatures. Gels that cure rapidly under UV radiation are also available. (Photo: WACKER)[/caption] With the electromobility revolution, WACKER is driving strong demand for these types of silicones. Robert Gnann, President of WACKER SILICONES, said, "The automotive industry is a key sector, not only for Germany but generally, and will remain so" and added, "Demand for high-performance materials, including our silicones, is steadily increasing. The timing is perfect for WACKER to achieve IATF certification. With our innovative silicone portfolio, we will support the automotive industry in meeting its productivity, efficiency and quality targets." IATF 16949 was developed in 2016 by leading automobile manufacturers in Europe and North America. It combines fundamental requirements accepted by the automotive industry and quality management standards. The aim is to minimize quality risks and continuously improve the reliability of production and the supply chain. Certification to IATF 16949 is the most important prerequisite for direct collaboration between supplier and automobile manufacturer. With successful certification, WACKER can now supply silicone products directly to automobile manufacturers and their system and module suppliers. Duke Cho, who heads both the Wacker Chemicals Korea subsidiary and the Industrial Solutions business unit of the WACKER SILICONES division, said, "Our customers require not only high-quality products but also a reliable partner that can provide custom solutions fully meeting the industry's strict guidelines and processes. The certification demonstrates that we can fully meet these challenges and requirements in manufacturing and quality management. Our business in electromobility will benefit significantly from this." Potting Compounds, Silicone Adhesives and Gap Fillers for E-Mobility Silicone elastomers are indispensable in automotive engineering, particularly in electromobility, for meeting future technical demands. Whether in electric motors, power electronics, displays, fuel cells, batteries or sensors, WACKER silicones protect sensitive electronics and support thermal management. In this way, they provide a reliable, economically viable solution to support fundamental industry trends such as vehicle electrification and connectivity as well as autonomous driving. WACKER's thermally conductive silicones are preferentially used for thermal management in electric cars because they effectively dissipate heat. They maintain the same material properties between -50°C and +180°C and, for special grades, up to +230°C. Depending on design, thermal gap fillers, silicone encapsulants and adhesives as well as thermally conductive pastes are suitable for efficient cooling of components. WACKER's potting compounds and gap fillers are used, among other things, for the thermal connection between battery modules and cooling systems or for protecting and cooling power electronics.   Source