Bryanston, South Africa - January 30, 2009
Dow Automotive bonding technology is experiencing an increased range of applications this year, and is supporting original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in both improving safety and achieving overall weight reduction. The safety aspect is achieved due to improved stiffness by the continuous bond line that adhesives enable. Lightweight design is enabled by the use of weight-saving materials like high-strength steel or aluminium, as with the Audi A8.
For the innovative A8, Audi selected BETAMATE™ crash durable adhesive from Dow Automotive for several important reasons. In addition to the safety and weight reduction properties, BETAMATE provides improved humidity resistance and advanced corrosion protection properties. Audi's advanced testing included a two-year outdoor weathering test which validated the reliability of the adhesive.
In addition to the technical benefits offered by BETAMATE crash durable adhesives, production benefits like jet stream application, which allows a variable distance between spray nozzle and part to be more flexible, increased application speed and 3D applications are also achieved. Due to its low viscosity, there is no need to pre-heat the adhesives tubes and follower plate during application and fewer application stations are required when using longer tubes of adhesive.
In addition to the epoxy-based crash durable adhesive, the Audi A8 also uses Dow Automotive adhesives for hem flanges in doors because of their proven quality in this application area.
About Dow Southern Africa
Dow is a world leader in science and technology solutions, delivering a broad range of products and services to customers in 160 countries. Dow traces its South African origins back to 1959 when its first sales office was established. The company is a significant local industry player and operates through a group of wholly owned subsidiaries namely Sentrachem Limited, Dow Southern Africa (Pty) Limited (including the Chemicals and Automotive businesses) and Dow AgroSciences Southern Africa (Pty) Limited. As a company that has a passion for the betterment of the human condition, Dow continues to be a proactive participant and supporter of Corporate Citizenship programs aimed at conservation and providing support, including education, to orphaned, vulnerable and underserved children. Dow is also supportive of economic transformation in South Africa as well as the Responsible Care® Guiding Principles initiative. More information about Dow Southern Africa can be found at: http://www.dow.com/imea/ssa/about/locations.htm
For Editorial Information:
Grant Law
GGi Communications
27 11 728 1363
