SCHWALBACH, Germany, March 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Dow Automotive, provider of innovative plastic and bonding technologies, is expanding its portfolio of bonding systems for lightweight designs enabling the combination of different materials for lightweight solutions. In addition to plastic technologies for reducing weight of car bodies, Dow Automotive has developed a novel bonding system for the structural bonding of aluminium roofs with steel car bodies which was applied on the new BMW 7 Series. This demonstrates the effectiveness of bonding as an assembly technology for both lightweight constructions and mounting processes, crucial factors for the hybrid construction of materials where significant weight reduction advantages only come into play through use of a combination of materials.
In addition to specific assembly requirements such as a steel/aluminium combination that does not allow for any welding, the different thermal expansion coefficient of both materials is another crucial factor to take into account. "Here, Dow Automotive's new bonding system provides a sustainable solution in two respects," says Orhan Imam, Dow Automotive market development manager for 2K PU adhesives. "Compared to currently available adhesive systems, it is flexible enough to offset the different expansion coefficients while simultaneously guaranteeing the necessary structural system stability at even higher temperatures." Dow Automotive achieves this due to the improved glass transition temperature (Tg) of it its new 2-component (2K) PU adhesives, which demonstrate unique properties for this kind of adhesive system.
Together with BMW, which uses the steel/aluminium material mix in the production of its new 7 Series, Dow Automotive developed an improved 2K technology based on its BETAMATE 2K PU adhesive range. This is the first time a 2K bonding system has been directly used on the assembly line to assemble an aluminium roof module. In addition to its technological advantages with regard to flexibility and simultaneous stability, the solution developed for BMW also presents advantages during the assembly process and therefore also provides an economically attractive solution for OEMs.
About Dow Automotive
Dow Automotive, a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW) and its affiliates, is a leading global provider of technology-driven solutions that meet consumer demands for vehicles that are safer, stronger, quieter, lighter, cleaner, more comfortable and stylish. The organization provides plastics, adhesives, glass bonding systems, emissions control technology, films, fluids, structural enhancement and acoustical management solutions to OEM, tier, aftermarket and commercial transportation customers around the world. For additional information about Dow Automotive products, services, and application development centres, visit www.dowautomotive.com.
About Dow
With annual sales of $58 billion and 46,000 employees worldwide, Dow is a diversified chemical company that combines the power of science and technology with the "Human Element" to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. The Company delivers a broad range of products and services to customers in around 160 countries, connecting chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help provide everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and personal care products.
References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com.