Henkel introduces new pretreatment process to accommodate increase of aluminum in vehicle manufacturing

Henkel Corporation's automotive group today announced the North American production debut of its BONDERITE? Flex Process on the 2013 Ford F-150.

The Flex Process, used on the body of the 2013 F-150, enables a significant increase in aluminum content on vehicles by replacing the traditional zinc phosphating process with a zirconium oxide pretreatment. The 2013 F-150 features an all-aluminum hood.

Once aluminum content on vehicles reaches approximately 30 percent, the use of zinc phosphate becomes more difficult to control and leads to an increase in sludge generation. Zirconium oxide offers a solution to the limitations zinc phosphate presents.

"Treating aluminum with zirconium oxide gives vehicle manufacturers the flexibility of processing up to 85 percent aluminum on vehicles, versus 25 percent with a conventional zinc phosphate coating," said Manish Dave , Director, Surface Treatment, North America, Henkel Corporation's automotive group. "In addition to enabling an increase in the amount of aluminum used, zirconium oxide provides better corrosion protection and reduces sludge waste by two-thirds, resulting in significant environmental benefits."