Greenkote Technologies has announced it is supporting Cranfield University based research work, with Bentley Motors and bigHead as lead industrial partners.
The research will explore new concepts in embedded metallic and carbon fibre composite (CFC) joint design and manufacturing, including potential anti-corrosion treatments for use in automotive applications.
The partnership has the potential to open up new applications for Greenkote technology in the automotive industry. Greenkote’s protective metals coating process is already world recognised as a high-performance, cost-effective process used in the construction industry.
Mark Gore, Greenkote chief executive officer, said: “Our technology is world leading in the area of corrosion proofing. Now we are looking to develop Greenkote treatments and solutions that provide bonded and embedded metallic components in automotive applications with superior all round performance, flexibility and ease of use.”
The Structural Joints work by Cranfield University’s Composites Centre forms part of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (ESPRC) funded CIMComp programme. In supporting the research, Greenkote aims to develop new standards for corrosion proofing metallic components and fasteners, to facilitate innovative concepts for attaching and joining structures in multi-material automotive applications.
Lawrence Cook, research fellow in Composites Manufacturing at Cranfield University, said: “Greenkote’s technology is ideally suited for evaluation in our metallic and CFC structural joints research and Greenkote’s wider experience in the coatings sector is a key element in the research. Support from Greenkote strengthens our ability to deliver transformative research, and our work together is already feeding directly into our two-year Innovate UK funded Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with bigHead bonding fasteners Ltd to develop fastening solutions for composite materials, with a focus on automotive applications.”
Matthew Stevens, managing director at bighead, added: “bigHead have a heritage in offering innovative and high-quality fastening solutions that deliver to high expectations. Evaluating Greenkote’s technologies in partnership with Cranfield demonstrates our commitment to offering market leading performance in demanding applications”.
Having spent a decade in the fastener industry experiencing every facet – from steel mills, fastener manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, as well as machinery builders and plating + coating companies, Claire has developed an in-depth knowledge of all things fasteners.
Alongside visiting numerous companies, exhibitions and conferences around the world, Claire has also interviewed high profile figures – focusing on key topics impacting the sector and making sure readers stay up to date with the latest developments within the industry.
