Global coatings leader Axalta may have more than 150 years of past experience in the coatings industry, but its pursuit of innovation in beautiful and sustainable coatings solutions means it is always looking to the future.
This includes preparing the repair industry for the next wave of technology as Advanced Driver Assistant Systems (ADAS) become increasingly common in modern vehicles.
Axalta has added radar compliant colour formulas to its global online colour databases – ChromaWeb, Phoenix and Standowin iQ – to be prepared for future radar requirements for the repair of cars equipped with ADAS systems.
“Some estimates predict the ADAS market to double from a valuation of US$30.9 billion in 2022 to US$65.1 billion by 2030 due to the number of vehicles being equipped with some form of ADAS.
“ADAS-supporting equipment is often located behind painted plastic surfaces on cars and can be a major concern for the automotive refinish business since the coating layers can directly influence the signal emitted and received by the ADAS sensors,” says Jim Iliopoulos, Product and Technical Manager for Axalta Australia and New Zealand.
Sensitive equipment
Radar sensors are especially sensitive to the thickness and composition of coating layers, resulting in potential interference with critical safety systems, including pedestrian detection, collision avoidance, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking and blind spot detection.
“We can identify and test colours that we know will interfere with radar sensors during the colour development process, such as those with high concentrations of aluminium flakes. For colours where the radar transmission loss exceeds the threshold set by the OEM, we can develop a compliant colour formula that passes these specifications,” says Iliopoulos.
Special icons
The radar compliant colour formulas, which are related to radar Optimised Formulas in Cromax Pro, Spies Hecker Permahyd Hi-TEC and Standox Standoblue, will ensure correct repairs of vehicles equipped with radar sensors. Bodyshops can easily recognise these radar compliant colour formulas thanks to a special icon that identifies that the formulas have passed OEM radar specifications.
“For the repair of painted surfaces that cover radar sensors, refinishers should always choose the radar compliant colour formula and strictly follow the OEM repair guidelines to ensure an accurate repair,” Iliopoulos says.
Once the formula has been chosen, a message will also be displayed to indicate it is mandatory to follow the OEM repair guidelines for the repair and for testing ADAS before the vehicle is put back into service.
For more information, please contact your local Axalta representative or Axalta distributor.