Adhesives and sealants have played an essential role in the progress of electric vehicle (EV) technology and are expected to drive the future expansion plan for battery-powered cars.
Before the use of adhesives and sealants in the automobile industry, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) depended on mechanical fasteners, rivets, nuts, and bolts to connect windshield pieces, metallic sheets, plastic components, battery components, and powertrain components.
While performing their role, the mechanical parts add a significant amount of weight to the vehicle. As a result, the overall performance of electric vehicles, specifically in terms of range, degraded. This major problem is delaying the global acceptance of EVs and has been lurking for decades.
Battery technology advancements will considerably aid in the expansion of the worldwide electric vehicle market, which will enhance product demand in the future.
According to BIS Research, the global structural adhesives and sealants market for EV batteries is expected to reach $ 305.5 million by 2031 from $53.1 million in 2021, growing with a CAGR of 18.5% during the forecast period 2022-2031.
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Applications
Following are some of the applications of structural adhesives and sealants for EV batteries:
Structural: Adhesives and sealants used in the production of electric vehicles (EVs) help to increase crucial performance, safety, and durability while also overcoming manufacturing obstacles.
A battery module encloses a group of battery cells that protect against undesirable fatigue, shock, or unexpected vibrations in the environment.
Adhesives and sealants help in strengthening the interconnection of battery modules by providing an environment for less heat accumulation.
They help to lighten the batteries and the entire vehicle by replacing metallic fasteners and rivets with the same degree of strength.
As a result, they are known to boost the range and longevity of EVs. Depending on the form and kind of battery, structural adhesives can aid in increasing design flexibility in an automotive.
Thermal: Thermal interface bonding and adhesive are employed in EV batteries for heat dissipation and thermal management, which are key challenges for many vehicle manufacturers.
One of the biggest challenges in today’s industry is producing a dependable and efficient battery that can endure a wide variety of temperatures.
When the temperature range in the surroundings is restricted, the batteries perform more effectively and last longer. In general, the operating temperature range for efficient performance is 15°-60° celsius.
The battery module should be built in such a way that the cell may be cooled or heated as needed, extending the battery’s life. Cooling devices and controllers in the pack and module regulate the temperature of the battery.
Adhesive helps in transferring and extracting heat from the battery, which helps to enhance its lifespan.
Growing Demand for Lightweight Adhesives
Automotive light-weighting refers to an engineering concept based on designing vehicles that are less heavy in order to improve fuel efficiency as well as the overall performance.
Apart from redesigning characteristics and shrinking the dimensions of the components, the substitution of heavy raw materials with lighter composites also plays a key role in automotive light-weighting.
EV demand will multiply in Europe, Asia-Pacific, and North America throughout the study period, providing substantial growth possibilities for EV adhesives producers. Structural adhesives are critical in accelerating the use of EVs for lightweight designs.
To design and create a light-body vehicle structure, there is a growing inclination toward the use of adhesives that work well with composites made of aluminum and other materials.
Adhesives replace heavy mechanical fasteners in EV battery structure, allowing for a lighter and thinner bond, potentially increasing EV range. The bond’s increased flexibility and strength enable it to join dissimilar materials faster than traditional nuts and bolts.
The demand for adhesives and sealants is expected to rise in both hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) and battery electric vehicle (BEV) powertrains. This assists component maker and OEMs in addressing critical performance, safety, durability, and manufacturing challenges faced during the introduction of electrified vehicles.
These adhesives are light, enabling thermal control between battery cells. This has created an environment in which firms may continue to engage in research and development (R&D) for lightweight adhesive innovation, which would increase the range of EVs.
To summarize, improvements in the battery technology to enhance the range of electric vehicles, reduce the recharge time, and most importantly, reduce the cost of batteries will substantially contribute to the growth of the global electric vehicle market, which is expected to fuel the product demand in the coming years.
