A special presentation during the 2019 North American International Auto Show has seen PPG highlight its latest developments in coatings technology for ‘autonomous, connected, electric and shared vehicles’. PPG is committing significant R&D resources to these emerging areas of mobility and has developed a range of new technologies, including:
Visibility-enhancing coatings for autonomous driving – PPG is developing a portfolio of advanced coatings that enhance and enable the sensors on autonomous vehicles to detect other vehicles and oncoming obstacles. These include a new class of coatings to improve dark-vehicle colour detection by LiDAR and radar systems, as well as easy-clean composite coatings that help keep sensors and lenses clear in adverse operating and weather conditions.
‘Stackable’ functional coatings for vehicle interiors – PPG researchers are addressing the emerging requirements of modern mobility through an array of innovative coatings that enhance the look, feel, comfort and utility of interior surfaces, including touchscreens. These include transparent protective coatings, anti-fingerprint and anti-glare coatings, soft-touch paints and anti-reflective coatings. These PPG coatings can be combined into layered, ‘pre-stacked’ solutions for reduced complexity and ease of application.
PPG ENVIROCRON Extreme Protection powder coating system – Based on a patent-pending technology using reclaimable materials, this dual-coat system represents a major advance in corrosion and chip-resistant coatings for high-tensile automotive coil springs.
Cathode coating for electric vehicle batteries – This market-ready coating provides a versatile, cost-effective replacement for conventional cathode binders which traditionally rely on the hazardous solvent, N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP). Along with health and safety benefits, it contributes to longer battery cycle life and mixing times are reduced up to 90% compared to many existing binders.
In addition, PPG featured its ‘We Are’ colour collection for automotive model years 2021 and beyond. The collection comprises four colour stories representing the latest global consumer trends.