Description
To date, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SPAIN uses electrolytic hexavalent chrome plating for automobile trim rings and cluster instruments and odometers located on the front panels. This technology is characterized by a high consumption of water and energy and generates a lot of waste, particularly liquid effluents contaminated with heavy metals and emissions. The environmental problems and risks to human health connected to this method has led to the approval of environmental legislation that requires the gradual phase-out of this method. Through this project CONTINENTAL aims to develop an alternative method based on Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD). The PVD plating process does not use hexavalent chrome or solvent, a fact that enables zero discharge of polluted water. Environmentally, the new process is a big advantage compared to the high amounts of waste water generated in conventional processes. Moreover, the energy consumption of the PVD plating process will be more efficient, thereby contributing to climate change mitigation and reducing the environmental footprint of the final product.
Summary of project results
The method of hexavalent chromium plating for decorative coatings in the automotive industry needs to be replaced by green technologies that are environmentally clean and harmless to human health. To this end, CONTINENTAL has designed and implemented a system consisting of a leveling base coat cured by UV irradiation and metal coatings applied by magnetron sputtering PVD technology for plastic parts with bright finishes, for use in trim rings. Base coats, urethane-acrylic polymers free of solvents and volatile components, are applied through spraying and provides a uniform finish with excellent mechanical and bonding properties. CONTINENTAL has also developed methodologies for bright decorative metal PVD coatings with good finishing, functional and surface properties (bonding, shine, resistance to UV light, heat, moisture and corrosion). The new plating process has managed to save electricity consumption, investment in equipment and facility space.
Summary of bilateral results