Some suppliers of battery sealing materials, components and equipment 3M - www.3m.com Atlas Copco +44 1442 222 350 www.atlascopco.com bdtronic +49 7934 104 140 www.bdtronic.de Bostik +44 1785 272625 www.bostik.com CHT Silicones +49 7071 154 202 www.cht-silicones.com Coroplast +1 450 378 3995 www.coroplast.com Eaton +1 269 342 3000 www.eaton.com Freudenberg Sealing Technologies +49 6201 800 www.fst.com Graco +32 89 770 847 www.graco.com HB Fuller +1 833 672 1482 www.hbfuller.com Henkel +49 211 797 0 www.henkel-adhesives.com JBC Technologies +1 440 327 4522 www.jbc-tech.com Parker Hannifin +1 937 278 9431 www.parker.com PPG +41 21 822 3000 www.ppg.com Prostech +84 984 695 398 www.prostech.vn Saint-Gobain Tape Solutions +1 949 238 0482 www.tapesolutions. saint-gobain.com Scheugenpflug +49 9445 95640 www.scheugenpflug- dispensing.com Sika +41 58 436 6800 www.sika.com Universal Science +44 1908 222211 www.universal-science.com silicone foam rubbers to butyl-coated PVC and micro-cellular polyurethane (PUR) foams. These can protect batteries from the external environment with low-compression and fire-blocking solutions. EMI gaskets Another key element of sealing the battery pack is electromagnetic performance. Preventing high currents from generating electromagnetic noise that interferes with other components is a key requirement in protecting electronic hub cases, displays, telemetric systems, advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) sensors, autonomous vehicle (AV) sensor fusion systems, battery management system cases, and battery chargers and inverters. Nickel, silver and copper sprayable, conductive coatings provide shielding in EV applications, and they are compatible with sensitive plastics that may be used in the assembly of the battery pack. Outdoor sealing Since many charging stations are installed outdoors, materials for housing need to be resistant against weather, shock, extreme temperatures, dirt and chemicals. The gaskets used for sealing a battery pack can also be used for charging systems that stay outdoors in all kinds of conditions. Soft and lightweight silicone foams provide flame resistance with low toxicity and smoke generation, meeting the highest flame rating of UL94 V-0 in a pressure-sensitive tape form. Multi-functional materials such as a polyurethane foam combine water- and airtight sealing with high conformability, UV resistance, dampening and fireprotection properties, while for sealing up to 70 C, micro-cellular polyurethane foam is a silicone-free alternative for gasket designs in charging systems. Conclusion Sealing a battery pack or a charging system requires a range of design trade-offs. Various materials may help to reduce the weight of the pack, but they have issues with how they can be held together. Plasma processing can help to provide a surface that is more suitable for adhesives or sealants, while hot riveting can tackle a wider range of materials. All of these solutions need inline processes that minimise assembly time for costeffective manufacturing processes. Acknowledgements With thanks to Dr Stefan Reichle at Parker Hannifin, Cedric Zipperlin at PPG, Markus Rieger at bdtronic and Jens Buhlinger at Eaton. Focus | Battery sealing May/June 2024 | E-Mobility Engineering 42 The structure of a three-way vent (Image courtesy of Eaton)
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