Saint-Gobain has positioned itself as a leader in engineering high-performance solutions that cater to the comfort, safety, and sustainability of both individual and collective transportation. The company is dedicated to an ongoing process of developing novel materials and cutting-edge technologies to meet the evolving demands of the electric vehicle industry.
A significant trend currently observed in the mobility sector is a growing shift towards eco-friendly solutions. In the domain of mobility business, the company offers advanced glazing systems and solutions designed for original equipment manufacturers. The goal is to pave the way for future mobility while upholding the vision of enhancing every driving experience.
The company’s product range also encompasses electrical insulation and thermal management products tailored for e-motors, alongside tapes designed for bonding, wire harnessing, and EMI shielding across the electric vehicle spectrum. As the automotive industry increasingly adopts electric vehicles, there has been a notable surge in demand for electric vehicle (EV) battery packs.
Aiding the EV Industry in Developing Safer and Adaptable Battery Packs
The rise in the popularity of electric vehicles and battery-dependent devices has prompted manufacturers to explore new technologies aimed at enhancing battery performance. A primary focus lies in battery chemistry, as even minor alterations in this area can yield longer runtimes, expanded vehicle ranges, improved performance under high temperatures, and other benefits.
In the current landscape, each manufacturer employs a distinct approach to assemble an EV battery pack, a critical factor influencing battery safety. Saint-Gobain tailors its product offerings to match specific battery designs and cell architectures, prioritizing safety as a paramount concern.
Innovative Materials Spearheading Change at Saint-Gobain
1. Management of Cell Swelling through Compression/Cushioning Pads: EV battery packs necessitate compression pads to maintain consistent pressure on pouch or prismatic cells during charge/discharge cycles. The compression pads, available in silicone and micro-cellular PUR materials, have been meticulously designed to strike a balance between pressure requirements and optimal thickness. Notably, they also exhibit flame resistance.
2. Thermal Runaway Protection: Saint-Gobain’s thermal runaway protection materials boast thermal insulation with attributes conducive to fire-blocking and exceptional compression set resistance. These materials serve a dual purpose, acting as fire mitigators and compression pads in lithium-ion batteries.
3. UL94 V-O Tested IP67 Pack Sealing: The effective sealing of battery packs against external elements is pivotal for ensuring electric vehicle performance and longevity. Saint-Gobain offers an array of battery pack housing solutions, spanning foam-in-place gaskets, silicone foam rubbers, butyl-coated PVC, and microcellular PUR foams.
4. Thermal Interface Materials (TIM) for Efficient Thermal Management: Optimal thermal management is pivotal for enhancing battery performance and longevity. Saint-Gobain’s tailored thermal interface materials facilitate effective heat dissipation from battery packs/cells, catering to specific design prerequisites.
5. UL94 V-O Compliant Electrical Insulation Solutions: Effective electric insulation is a prerequisite in various battery pack locations to isolate components from electrically active parts, minimizing the risk of vehicle malfunctions. Saint-Gobain introduces UL94 V-O compliant electrically insulating materials, customized based on unique application requirements.
Enhancing the EV Driving Experience
Sekurit, Saint-Gobain’s mobility subsidiary, has amassed over 90 years of industry experience, establishing itself as a prominent player in the automotive glazing sector. The company has taken the lead in delivering state-of-the-art glazing solutions to the EV domain.
The global vision of Sekurit revolves around elevating mobility experiences while prioritizing safety and sustainability, ultimately resulting in exceptional driving encounters. For electric vehicles, the solutions offered encompass acoustic insulation, thermal management, sustainability, creative design, and interactive journeys.
The Future of Automotive Glazing in EVs
1. Acoustic Insulation: Incorporating an acoustic interlayer into laminated glass reduces in-car cabin noise by up to 30%. This interlayer effectively dampens high and low frequencies, including wind and engine noise, fostering a tranquil ambiance and improved communication within the vehicle.
2. Thermal Management: The solutions provided by Sekurit ensure optimal thermal comfort year-round. Infrared reflective coatings significantly diminish energy consumption by HVAC systems, thereby contributing to reduced fuel consumption and extended driving ranges. The company’s locally developed coated solutions for side door glasses are recognized for their market-leading thermal performance.
3. Weight-Saving Solutions: Sekurit has developed weight-efficient glazing solutions that pave the way for energy-efficient vehicles. These innovations manage to reduce glazing thickness while preserving excellent acoustic performance. The resulting weight savings can amount to up to 6kg per complete car set.
4. Creative Design & Interactive Journeys: The glazing of a vehicle presents a unique opportunity to share information with passengers and road users. Sekurit introduces augmented reality applications with multi-image depth, representing the latest advancement in heads-up display (HUD) technology. As a premier producer of high-quality HUD windshields, Sekurit offers collaborative design processes to bring innovative concepts to life. Embedded displays on glazing further heighten driver and passenger experiences, propelling the development of new display technologies and driving the future of mobility.
In the face of an expanding electric vehicle market, the high-quality glazing solutions from Sekurit India play a central role in shaping the future of sustainable transportation. The company’s contributions are pivotal in promoting cleaner and more energy-efficient mobility solutions on a global scale.