Customers in the electric and hybrid vehicle market tend to specify their requirements in terms of kilovolt rating and insulation performance, not coating material or application method. Existing coating methods were difficult to control, with a high level of component rejections due to the coating specification and application failing to meet requirements. A new coating method needed to be produced, resulting in busbars with a consistent specified performance.
The project focused on epoxy powder coatings, applied by fluidised bed or spray processes. Powder coatings are generally safer than heat shrink sleeved insulation for electric vehicle busbars, and offer better thermal and electrical performance which allow for a more compact battery design.