MIC AND THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

An impellor that has been treated at Newbury

The automotive industry demands cost effective, high performance materials capable of withstanding high and variable loads. Surface treatments can extend the performance characteristics by protecting the surface from operating damage and cyclic loads.

Competitive racing parts are subject to very high loads, even shock loading, which means particular care must be taken over the final condition of a components surface. In the competitive racing industry, where striving for ultimate performance is an everyday matter, surface stress and surface finishing must be looked at in every situation and improvements can result in an increase in the endurance limit of 20-30% with life extensions of 10, 20 or 30 times.

Go to:Applications and benefits | Surface treatments for automotive components | Read about critical protection from material failures

Download Automotive Applications brochure

Questions and feedback

If you would like to ask us a question regarding automotive applications, please use our contact form. Alternatively, view our global locations page to see where we operate.

We would also welcome any feedback.

MIC services

Controlled shot peening

Shot peen forming

Thermal spray coatings

C.A.S.E™ isotropic super finishing

Peenflex protective mouldings

Peentex architectural finishes

Read about critical protection from material failures

Applications and benefits for the automotive industry

Applications

Transmission
- Gears, shafts and circlips
Engine
- Crankshafts, connecting rods, valves, pistons, piston rings, fasteners, camshafts, cylinder heads and blocks
Suspension
- Compression, tension and leaf springs and uprights
General
- Wheels, nuts, gaskets and seat belt fitting

Benefits

Enhance performance
Extend performance characteristics
Protect critical components
Enhance damage tolerance
Prevent premature failure
Achieve longer life at higher loads
Reduce manufacturing times and costs
Correction of manufacturing distortion

Go to: Surface treatments

Surface treatments for automotive components

CONTROLLED SHOT PEENING

Controlled shot peening is generally a cold working process where the component’s surface is bombarded with small spherical particles to yield the base material, relieving prior manufacturing stresses and inducing residual compressive stresses tailored to suit the base material and application. The applied stress is reduced, enabling better dynamic performance and damage tolerance.

THERMAL SPRAY COATINGS

Thermal spray technology is widely used across the automotive industry, as it not only extends the life of critical components but also protects agains wear, corrosion and high temperatures. Thermal spray also aids lubrication and can increase fuel efficiency.

C.A.S.E™ isotropic FINISHING

C.A.S.E™ isotropic finishing of components is critical in applications of metal to metal contact such as gears and bearings. Generally applied after the controlled shot peening process to remove surface asperities resulting in reduced wear, macro and/or micro-pitting, noise and operating temperatures.

PEEN FORMING

Peen forming is a method of correcting complex parts distorted during machining and/or heat treatment. This dieless forming process is ideal for correcting the form of shafts or welded structures.

LASER PEENING

Laser peening can introduce residual compressive stresses in all metallic materials up to 5 to 10 times deeper than other conventional cold working techniques with virtually no surface damage. This clean and extremely controllable process is a production tool of significant benefit where product performance is critical.

ENGINEERED COATINGS
Selection of the appropriate coating can enable the use of less expensive materials, improve part life and reduce maintenance costs. MIC provides solid film lubricants that protect against adverse operating conditions, impingement coatings for an ultra thin surface, conformal coatings for sealing delicate objects and shielding coatings for electronic devices.

Go to: Applications and benefits

Audi TT - Surface treatments for automotive industry

Automotive parts which have been surface treated by MIC