A recent literature review highlights current technologies and innovation trends in the pre-treatment and cathodic electrodeposition (CED) of car bodies. The focus lies on environmental compatibility, cost reduction and lightweight construction.

The pre-treatment (VBH) and cathodic electrodeposition coating (CED) of automotive bodies are critical steps in the serial coating process. They provide long-term corrosion protection and ensure the adhesion of subsequent coating layers. Both stages are subject to increasing technological and regulatory demands, driving innovation in materials and process design.

Key motivators for new developments include stricter environmental and occupational safety regulations, cost-saving measures and the growing demand for lightweight vehicle construction. In this context, a recent literature study outlines the current state of the art in VBH and CED, summarising key process fundamentals, such as the mechanisms, material properties and technical implementation of these systems.

Shift towards thin-film technologies

Among current trends, thin-film technology stands out as a promising alternative in pre-treatment processes. Compared to traditional phosphate-based methods, thin-film systems offer significant ecological benefits, including reduced sludge formation, lower energy consumption and minimised use of heavy metals. These aspects are particularly relevant as the automotive industry seeks to align its production with stricter sustainability goals.

The literature review emphasises how surface pre-treatment and CED are being optimised not only for steel, but increasingly for lightweight materials such as aluminium and mixed-material designs. This requires further adaptation of process chemistries and tighter control of application parameters. The study thereby provides a comprehensive overview of industrial challenges and emerging solutions in automotive coating technology.

Source: Pia Stöckl, Literature review on pre-treatment and electrodeposition of car bodies, supervised by Prof. Dr Hendrik Dubbe, 30 January 2025. Locked until 31.01.2030