Essen, Germany – Evonik is expanding its TEGO® Therm product line to include heat protection and fire-resistant coatings specifically designed for electric vehicle (EV) battery housings and covers. As the EV market rapidly grows, the safety standards for lithium-ion batteries are becoming more stringent. Evonik’s TEGO® Therm coatings provide a robust solution to meet the industry’s demand for effective thermal insulation barriers, crucial for preventing thermal runaway in EV batteries.
“With the electric mobility sector accelerating, the safety of lithium-ion batteries in EVs has never been more crucial,” said Dr. Benjamin Schaeffner, Global Head of Market Segment Industrial and Transportation Coatings at Evonik Coating Additives. “TEGO® Therm is our response to the industry’s call for reliable thermal barriers that not only meet but surpass today’s stringent safety standards.”
The TEGO® Therm toolbox includes a variety of components, each engineered to enhance thermal insulation and fire resistance. Among these, TEGO® Therm HPG 4000 granules feature a microporous silica core, providing superior low thermal conductivity, high hydrophobicity, and reduced flammability. TEGO® Therm HPG 6806, a finer silica-based granule, excels in insulation, strengthens mechanical performance, and ensures smooth, even surfaces for insulation coatings. The waterborne polysiloxane hybrid binder, TEGO® Therm L 300, further boosts the thermal stability and fire resistance of protective coatings.
Coatings based on the TEGO® Therm range meet UL 94 V-0 fire safety standards, offering a new level of protection for EV batteries. The versatility of TEGO® Therm allows for spray application on complex three-dimensional substrates, ensuring complete and efficient fire resistance coverage for every contour of the battery housing.
“The synergy between TEGO® Therm binder and granules is at the core of our solution,” said Dr. Niko Haberkorn, Global Head of Business Development for the Market Segment Industrial & Transportation Coatings at Evonik Coating Additives. “It minimizes heat transfer and effectively inhibits the spread of fires, offering crucial additional time for emergency response. Moreover, our products ensure high mechanical resistance, maintaining structural integrity in high-temperature scenarios.”
Evonik’s commitment to safety and innovation is demonstrated through rigorous testing. When subjected to a propylene flame exceeding 1000°C, TEGO® Therm-based coatings effectively protected the substrate, with the temperature on the back of the substrate remaining moderate, even with a thin dry film thickness. These results highlight the effectiveness of TEGO® Therm in insulating against intense heat and its suitability for applications where space is limited.
The expansion of TEGO® Therm products marks a significant advancement in EV battery safety. As the electric mobility market continues to grow, Evonik’s dedication to providing cutting-edge, reliable, and efficient coating solutions will play a pivotal role in shaping a safer and more sustainable future for the automotive industry.
Evonik’s Coating Additives business line offers a broad range of specialty additives for the coatings and inks sector. With decades of expertise, the business pioneers products for various coatings markets, including decorative, industrial, automotive coatings, and printing inks.
