Sika's innovative elastic and structural adhesive solutions provide vehicle manufacturers with more flexibility in assembly, improved vehicle fuel efficiency, higher payload, and visual vehicle design. Mixed materials with the integration of composite and plastic materials requires new joining techniques.
Sika's expertise in selecting the right adhesive solution and defining the best assembly process enables efficient project work. Sika provides material cards that allow CAE engineering to verify concepts in an early stage.
"Sika's innovative mindset, together with a full set of technologies and material cards, equip you with confidence in dealing with vehicle design challenges."
Sika's global expertise, combined with the local technical service, provides vehicle manufacturers and Tier suppliers optimal support to overcome any mixed material design challenges.
Sika Technologies for More Freedom of Vehicle Design in Engineering
Sika offers a unique portfolio of technologies and continuously develops new solutions to meet our customer's challenges. Our innovative elastic and structural adhesive solutions have proven their value in countless cases globally.
Joining Mixed Materials
Achieving weight reduction and cost targets in vehicle design drives the use of composite parts and plastic materials. Such materials can’t be welded and require new joining techniques. Overcoming different thermal expansion rates or durability of the element needs to be considered. Sika has more than 40 years’ experience in integrating composite and plastic components in automotive and commercial vehicle designs.
Structurally Bonded Windows and Windshields
The automotive industry has been using windshields as a contributor to vehicle stiffness for more than 40 years. As a result, steel thickness and consumption was reduced. Bonded glass also benefits modern transport vehicles with additional stiffness. For use on large screens and commercial vehicles, Sika’s glass adhesives are the ideal solution.
Flat Design with Weather-Resistant Sikaflex®
Flat surfaces not only give the vehicle a more elegant look and feel, but they also increase vehicles’ aerodynamics and ultimately result in lower fuel consumption. Sikaflex® weather-resistant exterior sealants are ideal for filling gaps between windows and combine excellent tooling performance with high weathering durability. The use of weather-resistant Sikaflex® also ensures compatibility with repair adhesives and sealants.
Replacing Mechanical Fasteners
Mechanical fasteners such as screws and bolts add substantial weight to vehicles. Using fasteners also creates stress peaks that may reduce the connection or the need for additional stiffening. SikaPower® epoxy adhesives provide your engineers with additional tools to reach strength and stiffness requirements with a proven record of high impact and fatigue resistant joints.
Sika as Your Strategic Partner for Innovative Vehicle Design
Sika’s global team provides expertise in integrating composite parts and plastic components into your vehicle design. Our technical service advises on thermal expansion and bonding process parameters and provides testing services of adhesives for your specific projects. We support your CAE engineers with material cards that allow the verification of new concepts in an early stage for calculations.