Underbody Coating
Under body coating
Automotive underbody coatings are applied on the underside of vehicles to provide a protective layer of protection between vehicle’s underside and damaging forces such as moisture, corrosion, stone chip damage and weather resistance.
Automotive underbody coatings are generally applied on areas such as wheel arches, inside wing panels and the undercarriage of the vehicle.
They provide a barrier between the metal component and its outside environment; hence, protecting the vehicle from damage and improving its vehicle life.
Automotive underbody coatings not only provide corrosion and damage protection but also offer easy maintenance and reduce noise and vibrations.
Some of the desired properties of automotive underbody coatings include good adhesion, fast drying, tough, flexible and corrosion protection.
Automotive underbody coatings may be solvent-based or water-based.
The global automotive underbody coatings market is set to witness significant growth over the forecast period, driven by numerous factors such as increased overall vehicle demand, aging vehicles and environmental concerns.
Coating process of a vehicle body (automotive coating process) comprises minimum five layers of paint, while the underbody coating process comprises the first two layers in the overall coating process. These two layers provide durable protection against corrosion; however, damage over time requires renewal of these coatings. Automotive aftermarket service providers often provide these services during scheduled vehicle maintenance.
Automotive underbody coatings also offer protection against humidity, moisture, and wet conditions that can seep through the undercarriage of a vehicle through joints or cracks in the paintwork; and cause corrosion.
Elasticity of polymers used in automotive underbody coatings allows for low noise when struck by road debris compared to that with uncoated underbody. As a result, vibrations of vehicles are dampened and kept to a minimum.
Automotive Underbody Coatings Market Segmentation
Based on product, the automotive underbody coatings market can be segmented into bitumen-based coatings, resin-based coatings, wax-based coatings, and others.
Bitumen-based coatings: These automotive underbody coatings offer durable fortification against corrosion and chipping damage. They also have sound dampening characteristics. Bitumen-based coatings are typically applied by spray or brush over a wide variety of substrates. They offer good performance even in tough conditions, for instance, in off-road applications.
Resin-based coatings: These coatings are typically made from polyurethane and rubber formulations. The elastomeric properties of these resins offer lasting protection against corrosion and chipping damage. They also offer sound dampening effects for a wide variety of substrates. Resin-based coatings can be applied as paints or sprayed over automotive underbodies.
Wax-based coatings: These types of coatings offer anti-corrosive properties across all kinds of substrates. Wax layer can be applied in different thickness by spray and brush; however, it is not used as a top coat.
Based on technology, the automotive underbody coatings market can be bifurcated into solvent-based coatings and water-based coatings. These coatings are available as liquids, aerosol cans, spray paints, and films.
Based on application, the automotive underbody coatings market can be divided into OEM and aftermarket services. At the point of sale, automobiles are equipped with automotive underbody coatings. These coatings are applied in the factory itself. Aftermarket service offers reapplication of these coatings as one their services as part of maintenance & repair services.
Automotive Underbody Coatings Market Trends
Automotive underbody coatings are an integral part of every vehicle.
Rise in demand for vehicles and improvement in manufacturing processes are major drivers of the automotive underbody coatings market.
The need to enhance the life of a vehicle by reducing wear & tear and improving the surface resistance of the underbody are boosting the demand for automotive underbody coatings.
Hence, demand for automotive underbody coatings is high, especially in production hubs of the world, namely China, India, and Southeast Asia. The shift in trend toward electric vehicles is anticipated to further boost the automotive underbody coatings market in the near future..
