Automotive & Transportation
Luvata has forged strong links with the automotive industry, and is heavily involved in supporting other means of transportation such as trains and road-trains. Luvata's contribution to these industries includes: welding consumables and solutions, engine and climate control, electronic boards and electronic connectors.
Electronic components for modern transportation
Most modern forms of transportation rely on electricity. From the power steering to the CD player, from the air conditioning to the automatic windscreen wipers, all new vehicles need electrical components. Luvata supplies the strips, wires, electrodes, tubes and e-cooling profiles essential to heat exchangers, connectors and wire wound components. We produce them in copper and copper alloys, which ensure that durability, corrosion resistance, heat transfer, electronics, weldability, and electrical conductivity all come as standard.
CuproBraze technology from Luvata
For heavy-duty vehicles such as large trucks, construction and agricultural equipment, where low emissions are important, products with high temperature tolerance are needed. CuproBraze®, our brazed copper and brass technology, is extremely durable and can withstand much higher temperatures and pressures than other metals such as aluminium. So, in the production of charge-air coolers for example, our customers have been able to push beyond usual performance limits and produce heat exchangers which are more durable, efficient, compact, corrosion resistant, repairable and environmentally friendly.
Luvata products for automotive industry:
CuproBraze® technology is most often used to make heat exchangers for diesel engines, yet many other cooling applications can benefit from its durability and cooling efficiency. Transportation giant Bombardier recently installed brazed copper-and-brass oil coolers on refurbished electric locomotives that transport coal in South Africa.
During the refurbishment, the heat exchangers were identified as a problem area as they lacked durability, leading to locomotives overheating and having to be taken out of service. It became clear that CuproBraze heat exchangers would provide the durability needed and would be easier to clean and repair when maintenance was needed, and above all came in at a lower price. Bombardier immediately ordered CuproBraze® oil coolers and spares for 45 locomotives and were so impressed by the results, they are planning to place orders for up to 500 locomotives in the next five years.