Product category:
Materials and components
News Release from: Corus Automotive | Subject: Envirobond
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 19 September 2005
Adhesive-coated strip cuts out Cr6
A novel hexavalent-chromium-free adhesive-coated metal for a wide range of automotive applications will help car makers meet the requirements of the ELV Directive.
New from Corus, Envirobond is a novel hexavalent-chromium-free adhesive-coated metal for use in a wide range of automotive applications that will help car makers remove the presence of this harmful material and importantly meet the requirements of the ELV (End of Life Vehicle) Directive An industry first for ferrous and nonferrous substrates, Envirobond is the result of several years' research and development work and investments of over GBP 150,000 in new machinery and production processes by Corus Firsteel Coated Strip, specialist manufacturing centre for prefinished metals, based in Walsall, West Midlands
Hexavalent chromium is commonly used in the production of adhesive-coated metals and has long been recognised as a dangerous carcinogen.
Corus Firsteel believes that as car makers work towards meeting the ELV directive, which includes the removal of this harmful substance as well as lead, mercury and cadmium, Envirobond will offer an alternative to manufactures' of components where pre-applied reactivatable adhesives are required, such as weather strips for the linings of doors, sunroofs, bonnets, boots, body side mouldings, brake shims and interior trim.
Commenting on this major breakthrough by Corus, Dr Dale Thomas, Business Development Manager Corus Firsteel Coated Strip, said: "For over 20 years we have been supplying the automotive industry with our products which are today found in almost all makes and models across Europe".
"As part of our commitment to work closely with our customers to continually offer innovative material solutions, we are delighted to launch Envirobond to the market which will help the industry meet the environmental requirements of the ELV Directive".
Dr Thomas continues: "Importantly, following rigorous testing both in-house and with customers, Envirobond has shown that it is more than capable of meeting the stringent quality requirements the industry demands without any loss in corrosion and adhesion performance".
"Critically, Envirobond can also be used on a full range of metal substrates for bonding to an extensive number of plastics and rubbers for use in many automotive applications".
Envirobond consists of one or two layers of specially developed resins applied to the metal substrate in a continuous coil-coating operation.
As the product is nontacky, Envirobond can be transported in coil form and can be easily "reactivated" after being supplied to the customer using either heat treatment or a combination of heat and pressure following which the rubber or plastic can then be added.
In conjunction with the development of Envirobond, Firsteel has also invested in new equipment offering additional benefits to its customers.
Central to this has been the commissioning of a state of the art traverse coil winding operation, which allows increased running length of coils helping to improve customers' productivity by removing the need to weld coils in-house.
The unit has been designed to spool an extensive range of metal grades and gauges. Request a free brochure from Corus Automotive ...
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