Axalta Refinish adds RADAR compliant colour formulas to global colour database
22 AUGUST 2023 – Axalta Refinish has added RADAR compliant colour formulas to its global online colour databases - ChromaWeb, Phoenix Cloud and Standowin iQ Cloud - to be prepared for future RADAR requirements for the repair of cars equipped with Advanced Driver Assistant Systems (ADAS).
“Some estimates[1] 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 Gregor Doerdelmann, Colour Services Manager for Axalta’s Refinish business in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
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 Doerdelmann.
The RADAR compliant colour formulas, which are related to RADAR Optimized Formulas in Cromax® Pro, Spies Hecker Permahyd Hi-TEC and Standox Standoblue, will ensure safe 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.
Doerdelmann concludes, “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 a safe repair.”
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 the local Axalta Refinish representative. For more information on Axalta Refinish, please visit, www.refinish.axalta.eu.
