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 When Kunststoff-Technik Scherer & Trier GmbH & Co KG, a company that produces parts for the automotive industry, had the idea of engineering a cost-out for Volvo, Corus were more than willing to get involved from the start. The idea was to produce roof ditch mouldings in the same colour as the chassis, therefore removing the costly and inflexible process of painting the moulding subsequent to manufacture. The roof-ditch moulding is produced by extruding plastic on to a rolled-formed metal substrate. A new form of plastic was developed by Scherer & Trier to allow for colour to be applied to the roof ditch moulding. Firsteel Coated Strip, a business within Corus Colors, specialises in the development and manufacture of adhesive-coated steels, stainless steels and aluminium. . Firsteel were asked to develop an adhesive-coated aluminium that would provide excellent adhesion to the plastic, which would enable the part to pass the demanding cyclical corrosion and temperature testing protocols required for the part. Because Firsteel has in-house testing facilities, assessments of bonding performance, temperature stability, corrosion resistance and mechanical flexibility could be made prior to customer trials, allowing for a successful product selection and a reduced development cycle. Such is the success of the roof ditch product, that the system is being used in the Volvo S60, S80 and V70 as well as in the Volkswagen Passat, Lupo and the Alfa Romeo 147. Firsteel Coated Strip also produces adhesive-coated steels, stainless steels and aluminium for body-side mouldings, weatherstrips, compartment seals and vibration dampeners. Because Firsteel applies adhesives to the metal prior to forming operations, unrivalled levels of adhesion can be obtained. Further, because the customer does not have to perform the difficult process of applying adhesives themselves, it reduces their exposure to health, safety and environmental legislation. For further details on our products, contact us using the details provided: Corus Firsteel Coated Strip Brockhurst Crescent Walsall West Midlands United Kingdom WS5 4AX
T +44 (0)1922 629593 F +44 (0)1922 648202 firsteel.sales@corusgroup.com | |
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