In this blog, we focus on meeting environmental regulations with thermal spray solutions.
In 2021, the Auto Environmental Guide was released and the global auto industry has faced challenges as governments, manufacturers, and consumers collectively race towards electrification and decarbonisation.
Although environmental regulations for automakers vary from country to country, there are some common standards and regulations that are typically expected to be upheld in most countries. This is because they are the primary standards that are imposed to address the environmental concerns we face.
But how can thermal spraying solutions help automakers meet these regulations if they vary? We’ll tell you.
What Are The Common Environmental Regulations?
Emission Standards
Governments have set limits on the amount of pollutants that a vehicle can emit and these usually cover pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), and greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO2).
Automakers are required by regulation to develop vehicles that meet such emissions standards which usually can be achieved through using advanced technologies like filters and converters.
Fuel Efficiency Standards
Another established standard governments introduced was the fuel efficiency or fuel economy standard. This regulates the amount of fuel a vehicle consumes per distance travelled. Such standards aim to reduce the overall fuel consumption in the world as well as the associated greenhouse gas emissions that are caused by fuel consumption.
Hybrid powertrains, lightweight materials, and electric vehicles (EVs) are some of the ways automakers have attempted to fulfil this specific standard. Automakers are being more actively encouraged to improve the efficiency of their vehicles using such technologies.
End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) Regulations
The purpose of the ELV regulation is to address how vehicles can be properly disposed of and recycled once they are no longer useful or functional. Therefore, automakers are required to consider these elements when they’re designing vehicles so that the disposable of hazardous materials is safe.
Chemicals and Hazardous Materials
These regulations govern the use and managing of various chemicals and hazardous materials that may be used in the automotive manufacturing process. They aim to minimise the impact that any such materials might have on the environment as well as human health.
This includes substances such as mercury, cadmium, lead, and other harmful materials.
Recycling and Sustainable Initiatives
Over the years, many countries and regions have been more encouraged and, therefore, made more of an effort to use recycled or sustainable materials. The Environmental Regulations have standards that require automakers to adopt sustainable manufacturing practices or to promote the use of recycled materials.
Such regulations may vary in specificity from country to country but they will most likely be related to meeting relevant goals:
- The percentage of recycled content in vehicle components
- Reducing water usage
- Improving energy efficiency
- Waste reduction
How Can Thermal Spraying Solutions Help Automakers Meet Environmental Regulations?
Thermal spraying solutions can actually play a significant role in helping automakers meet environmental regulations.
Protection Against Corrosion
Thermal spraying techniques are known to provide significant protection for automotive components against corrosion. Applying a corrosion protection coating to parts like engine components, exhaust systems, or chassis, automakers can not only protect them but also enhance their durability and longevity.
In the long run, this helps to reduce the necessity for frequent replacements, ultimately reducing waste and consumption of resources.
Light-weighting
As per the auto environmental regulations, and the evolution of technology, automakers strive to reduce the overall weight of vehicles in order to improve their fuel efficiency whilst reducing emissions.
Thermal spraying, then, can be used to apply a lightweight and high-strength coating to a component to help reduce the weight of the vehicle. Coatings such as aluminium or magnesium alloys.
A lighter vehicle often requires less fuel to operate, therefore emitting fewer greenhouse gases.
Wear Resistance
Wear resistance is one of the ultimate strengths of thermal spray coatings and it’s what makes them so suitable for the automotive industry. Coating engine cylinders, pistons, or bearings with a wear-resistant coating, for instance, can seriously improve their durability. The coating helps to reduce friction, optimising the efficiency of the engine.
The result of this is improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.
Thermal Barrier Coatings
TBCs protect engine components and are typically applied through thermal spraying techniques. They can help to protect the exhaust manifolds or the combustion chambers from high temperatures.
The insulation that TBCs provide, as well as the reduction in heat transfer, can improve efficiency of both the engine and the exhaust system. If thermal management is improved then it can help automakers meet regulations as it lowers emissions and reduced fuel consumption.
The Impact of Coating Processes
Although the application of thermally sprayed coatings offers exceptional environmental benefits due to improved performance and efficiency, it’s also important to consider the environmental impact of the coating process itself.
There are efforts being made to develop thermal spray processes that are more environmentally friendly – think low-emission thermal spray technologies and coatings with reduced or complete elimination of hazardous materials.
Overall, the thermal spray coatings are just one part of the efforts automakers are making to meet environmental regulations. More often than not, these coating techniques are being used alongside other technologies and strategies that are working to address the environmental concerns in the automotive industry.
Protect Your Vehicles
It’s important that your vehicles are protected. Not only so that they meet environmental regulations but also so that their overall performance is improved.
That’s exactly why Alphatek provides thermal spray coatings for the automotive industry. Our coatings for exterior panels, EGR valves, and turbochargers, means you can trust us to protect your vehicles.
Our service of metal spraying helps to improve your service by protecting the method of transportation delivering goods, supplies or freight.
Reach Out to Alphatek
Plenty of the thermal spray coatings we provide are developed and customised to satisfy the specific application requirements of our customers. Some are provided based on a client’s demands but all are used and provided with the greatest standard.
Every industry needs coatings that offer protection against a variety of issues: corrosion, abrasion, wear, high temperatures. Our thermal coatings provide exactly that. The application requirements can seem limitless but our in-house collective coating experience spans over a century.
That’s a long time – we’ve seen a lot. And we know how to deliver a high-quality service.
The many benefits to our customers is demonstrative of Alphatek’s expanding global reputation of our performance coating services. Come and see us in person, we welcome everyone. Conveniently, we are located just 20 miles north of Manchester.
Send us an inbox via postbox@alphatek.co.uk or call us on 01706 821 021.
