Light materials, such as aluminum alloy sheets, are increasingly being used for the purpose of reducing weight in automotive bodies. Regarding the surface characteristics required for such aluminum alloy sheets, emphasis is being placed, especially in Europe, on bonding durability to suppress the deterioration of joints bonded using adhesive in environments such as salt water spray conditions. Titanium/zirconium (Ti/Zr) treatment is a surface treatment adopted by automotive manufacturers outside Japan to improve the bonding durability of automotive aluminum materials. In Europe, electric discharge texturing (EDT) surfaces, as well as dry lubricant, are being used in addition to Ti/Zr treatment. In order to use materials that are surface treated in accordance with European specifications, the process conditions, including conversion coating, must be optimized. Kobe Steel can provide Ti/Zr treatment, EDT surfaces and dry lubrication.
Kobelco - Kobe Steel Ltd. published this content on 26 June 2017 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 05 July 2017 09:20:06 UTC.
Original documenthttp://www.kobelco.co.jp/english/ktr/index.html
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Kobe Steel, Ltd. specializes in manufacturing and marketing of steel and metallurgical products. The group is also developing production of construction and industrial machines activity. Net sales break down by activity as follows:
- sale of steel and aluminum products (42.3%): special steel wires, stainless tubes, rolled steel products, steel strips, aluminum plates and sheets, aluminum alloy products, building materials, etc.;
- manufacturing of construction machines (17.8%): cranes, hydraulic excavators, mini excavators and wheeled loaders;
- sales of advanced materials (15.6%): copper foil for semiconductors, copper tubes for air conditioners, aluminum extrusions, aluminum alloy products, iron powder, etc.;
- manufacturing of industrial machines (7.8%): compressors, high pressure machines, heat pumps, nuclear plants equipments, etc.;
- engineering services (6.4%);
- electric power production (5.3%);
- sale of welding materials and equipments (3.6%);
- other (1.2%): primarily sale of electronic equipments and real estate development.
KOBE STEEL, LTD. 
