Luvata brings new technology to the automotive industry

Through license agreement with Kobe Steel, Ltd. (Japan), Luvata is offering two new, cost efficient, high temperature resistant reflow tin coatings with enhanced performance benefits for automotive customers.

Designed for demanding automotive applications, the coatings – known as TN and TQ – can be exposed to high temperatures without an increase in contact resistance. The TN coating gives low insertion force with good temperature stability. The TQ coating combines excellent high temperature stability with good solderability and can be used for components to be soldered using lead free solders.

The cost of the coatings is similar to conventional reflow – providing manufacturers with improved performance at competitive costs. Additionally, they could potentially replace some precious metal plating applications providing further cost savings opportunities. Typical application of these coatings is preplated strip used for stamping of automotive terminals and connectors.

Anders Kamf, Applications Engineer at Luvata, commented: “Once again Luvata’s expertise and global partnerships have enabled us to improve the quality and performance of our products, which in turn means increased efficiency for our customers.”

Luvata’s plant in Buffalo, NY offers a wide variety of copper alloys in the form of flat rolled products for the connector, telecommunications, electronics, automotive, ammunition, architectural and general stamping applications.

*A reflow coating is an electrolytic tin coating formed by heating and cooling the surface, to give better properties than electrolytic tin.

About Luvata
Formerly known as Outokumpu Copper Products, and acquired from Outokumpu OYJ in 2005 by Nordic Capital, Luvata is the leading international supplier of solutions, services, components and materials in a variety of metals for manufacturing and construction. Luvata’s solutions are used in industries such as power generation, architecture, automotive, transport, medicine, air-conditioning, industrial refrigeration, scientific research, clothing, consumer products and construction. The company’s success is not just attributed to its longevity and technological excellence, but also to its strategy of building lasting relationships by becoming involved its clients’ projects from the outset. Employing over 8,500 staff in 18 countries, Luvata works in partnership with customers such as Siemens, Toyota, CERN, Shaaz, and DWD International.