Automotive Engineering Commons^™

Advances In Automotive Conversion Coatings During Pretreatment Of The Body Structure: A Review, Mark Doerre, Larry Hibbitts, Gabriela Patrick, Nelson K. Akafuah

Institute of Research for Technology Development Faculty Publications

Automotive conversion coatings consist of layers of materials that are chemically applied to the body structures of vehicles before painting to improve corrosion protection and paint adhesion. These coatings are a consequence of surface-based chemical reactions and are sandwiched between paint layers and the base metal; the chemical reactions involved distinctly classify conversion coatings from other coating technologies. Although the tri-cationic conversion coating bath chemistry that was developed around the end of the 20th century remains persistent, environmental, health, and cost issues favor a new generation of greener methods and materials such as zirconium. Environmental forces driving lightweight material selection …