The EV Transition Is Changing Cleaning Requirements
India’s electric vehicle manufacturing sector is growing at a pace that is transforming the auto component supply chain. As OEMs shift from ICE to EV platforms, the components being manufactured are changing fundamentally — and so are the cleaning challenges.
EV powertrains use aluminium extensively: battery housings, motor housings, inverter housings, and structural members are predominantly aluminium alloy castings and extrusions. The thermal management system uses aluminium cooling plates with precision-machined channels. Battery trays are large, complex aluminium stampings. These replace the cast iron, steel forgings, and stamped steel that dominated ICE component manufacturing.
Copper is also present in greater quantities than ICE vehicles: busbars, motor windings, connector systems, and battery cell interconnects. Copper has specific cleaning requirements that differ significantly from ferrous metals.
EV component manufacturers who apply their existing ICE component cleaning chemistry to aluminium and copper parts are creating problems. Strongly alkaline degreasers that work perfectly on steel will etch aluminium and stain copper. The chemistry must change as the components change.
Aluminium EV Component Cleaning
Aluminium die castings for motor and battery housings arrive with die release agents, mineral oil, and handling contamination. Before machining (where dimensional precision is critical), before sealing (where adhesion is critical), and before assembly (where cleanliness is critical), these surfaces must be perfectly clean.
REFA’s aluminium-compatible degreasers are mildly alkaline (pH 8.5–10) — effective enough to remove oil and die release agents completely, but gentle enough not to etch or pit the aluminium surface. Available in spray, immersion, and ultrasonic formulations for different application requirements.
Battery Tray Cleaning
Battery trays are large-format aluminium stampings that must be thoroughly cleaned before sealing compound application and before final assembly. Any oil, forming lubricant, or particulate contamination on the tray interior is a potential contamination source for battery cells.
REFA supplies battery tray cleaning chemistry in both aqueous (water-based) and semi-aqueous formulations, with formulations validated for compatibility with the sealing compounds and adhesives used in battery tray assembly.
Copper Busbar Cleaning
Copper busbars and interconnects require cleaning before tin plating, silver plating, or direct contact assembly. The cleaning must remove oxide film, drawing lubricants, and handling contamination without attacking the copper surface.
REFA’s copper-compatible cleaner is a neutral-to-mildly acidic formulation that removes oxide films and contamination from copper surfaces without causing surface etching or colour change. It is followed by a passivation step that protects the cleaned copper surface from re-oxidation before the downstream operation.
Rust Prevention for Steel EV Components
Despite the shift toward aluminium, EV vehicles still contain significant steel: chassis members, suspension components, braking systems, and structural reinforcements. These steel components require the same inter-process rust protection as any ICE component. REFA’s full range of rust preventive oils and water-based inhibitors serves EV steel component manufacturing equally well.
REFA and the EV Supply Chain
REFA Chemical Industries is actively working with EV component manufacturers to develop cleaning solutions for the new materials and processes in EV manufacturing. Our founder’s 25+ years of industrial cleaning chemistry expertise provides the technical foundation to address materials and process challenges that are new to many plants transitioning from ICE to EV component manufacturing.
Looking for aluminium degreasers and industrial cleaning chemicals for EV component manufacturing?
Contact REFA Chemical Industries Pvt. Ltd. — Greater Noida | Our founder brings 25+ years of industrial chemical expertise to every solution we supply. Call or WhatsApp for free samples and technical consultation.
