Covestro Partners with Desmodur for Digital Application of Automotive Coatings

Image - solutions.covestro.com

• Effective, customized production
• Covestro provides support with digital technology expertise and raw materials
• Elimination of overspray and covering steps
• Reduction of energy consumption

2D printing technology offers automotive and coatings manufacturers great opportunities to combine precise digital application of coatings with flexible, customized production. The result is an efficient coating with the quality of a conventional spray application. Covestro supports customers and partners in the transition to the modern process with its extensive expertise in digital printing technology and with Desmodur® polyurethane raw materials.

Covestro will showcase the development during Digital Expo 2021, September 14-16. For more explanations, join the webinar with digital printing and coatings experts Dr. Fabian Schuster and Dr. Inga Noll on September 15 starting at 3 pm CEST.

In conventional automotive OEM coating, multi-layer, 1- or 2-component coatings are typically applied by spray. Polyurethane coatings based on Desmodur® hardeners from Covestro used for this purpose feature proven good chemical, scratch and weather resistance, they are high-gloss and represent the state of the art in automotive OEM coatings.

However, spray application causes overspray and high energy consumption during drying, but above all during conditioning of the process air. In addition, in the case of multicolor painting, the painted body parts have to be masked with films at great expense for protection. If, in the future, paints with different functions are to be applied that are particularly resistant to UV radiation, bird droppings or stone chips, for example, the process becomes even more complex.

Advantage of digital printing

Digital printing makes efficient use of coating quantities, and there is no overspray. Car manufacturers can also dispense with covering steps, thus reducing investment costs for painting equipment. Instead, individual colors and functions can be implemented efficiently. Aliphatic Desmodur® raw materials ensure non-yellowing coatings with additional, proven benefits.

The project is part of a comprehensive program with which Covestro is systematically driving forward digitalization. One of the three pillars of the "Digital@Covestro" program is the development of new business models and digital technical services. One focus area is a more efficient production at customers and the digitization of entire value chains. The two other pillars of the program are focused on digital operating processes in the company's own production and the development and use of digital chemical trading platforms.

About Covestro:

With sales of EUR 10.7 billion in 2020, Covestro is among the world’s largest polymer companies. Business activities are focused on the manufacture of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative, sustainable solutions for products used in many areas of everyday life. In doing so, Covestro is becoming fully circular. Its main customers are the automotive and transport industries, the construction industry, the furniture and wood processing industries, and the electrical, electronics, and household appliance industries. Other sectors include sports and leisure, cosmetics, healthcare and the chemical industry itself. As of the end of 2020, Covestro produces at 33 sites worldwide and employs around 16,500 people (converted to full-time positions).

Forward-looking statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Covestro AG management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development, or performance of the company and the estimates provided here. These factors include those discussed in Covestro’s public reports. These reports are available at www.covestro.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to make them conform to future events or developments.

For 3D Printing, Polymaker and Covestro Launches Versatile Materials

Polymaker, a market leader in advanced 3D printing products, announced the launch of three new polycarbonate-based 3D printing materials each with unique properties commonly used in various industries. Polymaker has partnered with Covestro to bring these new materials to market, thus enabling the access to materials well known to industry professionals and optimised for 3D printing.The three new materials consist of:

Polymaker™ PC-ABS – a blend of already commonly used 3D printing materials, polycarbonate and ABS. The advantages of this blend are high impact and heat resistantancy and easy processing. The polycarbonate boosts the heat resistance and toughness of the material while the ABS contributes to the good processing properties. This PC-ABS is also specialized for surface finishings, i.e. by electroplating and metallization, providing a good approach for post processing.

Polymaker™ PC-ABS uses Covestro’s Bayblend family as its base material which is a commonly used plastic in the automotive and information technology industry today. Polymaker™ PC-PBT – this polymer blend combines the good chemical resistance of PBT with the strength and toughness of polycarbonate. Polymaker™ PC-PBT performs very well under extreme circumstances whether in contact with hydrocarbon based chemicals or operating at subzero temperatures. The product maintains good toughness and its natural ductile fracture behavior at low temperatures.

Polymaker™ PC-PBT is created from Covestro’s Makroblend family which is widely used in various industries. Compared to PC resins and PC-ABS compounds, PC-PBT has better resistance to chemicals, which enables printed applications where resistance to intermittent contact with fuels, oils, lubricants, cleaners is necessary.

PolyMax™ PC-FR, a creation from Covestro’s Makrolon family, where the FR stands for flame retardant – the main feature of this polycarbonate based compound. This base material achieves V0 performance in the UL94 flame retardancy test and benefits applications where respective material approval is required. This allows PolyMax™ PC-FR to be applied for battery housings, motor mounts in aerospace and other industries. Within the automotive and electrical and electronics industry, many professionals are well accustomed with such FR materials.

Polymaker have introduced their nano reinforcement technology that is featured in all PolyMax™ materials. This boosts the fracture toughness of the FR material and produces a flame-retardant filament that can still perform in demanding applications. PolyMax™ PC-FR uses Covestro’s Makrolon showing a good balance between mechanical performance and safety, which has already been applied in electronic motorbikes, aerospace spare parts, and automotive production.

About Covestro:

With 2018 sales of EUR 14.6 billion, Covestro is among the world’s largest polymer companies. Business activities are focused on the manufacture of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, construction, wood processing and furniture, and electrical and electronics industries. Other sectors include sports and leisure, cosmetics, health and the chemical industry itself. Covestro has 30 production sites worldwide and employs approximately 16,800 people (calculated as full-time equivalents) at the end of 2018.

About Polymaker:
Polymaker is a company that produces advanced 3D printing materials specifically engineered for a wide range of applications across many industries. At the heart of Polymaker is a large research and development laboratory which drives the company forward through constant innovation and testing. All Polymaker materials are formulated and optimized for 3D printing while maintaining the unique properties inherent to the respective base polymer.