SHAPE FORMING
cars and the EV market - the latter being the fastest growing. It’s an evolving application that is leading the fastener industry to greater sophistication. Achieving fastener weight
reduction whilst maintaining high torque demands has become an important requirement in automotive applications. Industrial drive systems such as the Mortorq screw require up to 25% less material in the head yet still provide super high strength internal drive – an example of an innovative system providing the lowest head possible without compromising on fastener assembly performance. One of the heaviest components in
an EV is the battery, which runs the risk of negating the idea of carbon emission reductions if the vehicle’s weight dramatically increases energy consumption. As a result, fastener companies and their supply chains are constantly looking to innovate and are inspired by other transport industries such as aerospace. Batteries, motors, transmissions
and all their associated electronics are the leading technology areas of EV R&D and the fastenings and their coatings play an essential role. Innovative engineering techniques are now being applied throughout the design and manufacturing process to meet customers fast- changing needs.
A selection of lightweight non-magnetic fasteners
INNOVATIONS ARE CRUCIAL FOR EVS There are a number of components that are particularly relevant for EV battery assembly - fasteners with electrically isolating coatings - lightweight, non-magnetic fasteners, battery retention bolts, cable management hardware and compression limiters. All these require fasteners to
provide robust and secure settings to keep the costly battery safe. And fasteners are essential, not only in the EVs themselves but also in supporting technology and applications including charging units, battery casings and general infrastructure equipment. An EV’s battery module can be
secured with inserts for plastics that are used to maintain either good connectivity where required or avoid unwanted short-circuits due to
corrosion or product failure. Fasteners for the EV batteries are designed to incorporate various coatings to suit the functionality of the joint. Examples of these include silver plating to improve connectivity or a high temperature resistant organic top-coat to provide an electrical barrier. Component suppliers are beginning
to work more closely with battery module manufacturers to develop and apply functional coatings to fasteners including protection from corrosion. These help to either maintain good electrical connectivity or retain isolation where needed to avoid unwanted electrical resistance or potential short circuits.
COATINGS FOR HEAT MANAGEMENT Highly conductive coatings can be applied to certain materials such as
EV schematic showing scope for fastener use
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