Zircotec says it has developed a new conductive ceramic coating that enables vehicle manufacturers to use carbon or plastic composite battery casings for hybrid and electric vehicles. The company claims this coating overcomes composite’s inability to isolate the battery from electromagnetic fields and radio frequency interference (RFI), which has prevented the adoption of the material in this application.
The coating is comprised of two layers; a metallic bond coat which provides the conductivity and a top ceramic layer which protects the metallic material from corrosion and wear. Zircotec says the chemistry of the coating can be adapted for any specific application. A thermal barrier layer can also be incorporated, by modifying the composition of the ceramic, to protect the battery from any nearby heat sources. The new conductive ceramic coating is now available and is currently being trialled by a selection of vehicle manufacturers, claims the company.
