Automotive

The automotive industry is changing: e-mobility and digitalization require new materials and processes. Our soft solders are optimally adapted to this - high-performance, reliable and future-proof for modern applications.

Solutions with tin and tin-lead alloys

The automotive industry in transition

For decades, the automotive industry has been one of the world's most important and innovative sectors. It is currently undergoing a profound transformation: the transition from combustion engines to electric mobility, the increasing digitalisation of vehicles and the networking of mobility and transport infrastructure are fundamentally changing requirements, processes and materials.

In this environment, aspects such as reliability, safety, sustainability and the long-term availability of raw materials are becoming increasingly important. At the same time, the technological complexity of modern vehicles is increasing significantly – particularly due to the growing proportion of electronic systems. These developments can hardly be tackled in isolation: specialisation and partnership-based cooperation along the value chain are now decisive factors for success.

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The right format for your process
On-board electronics & e-mobility
Body solder
Batteries & plain bearings
EU Lead Regulation
Beyond Automotive
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Our core competencies in the automotive sector

Tin solutions for on-board electronics & e-mobility

Rising demand for tin

Modern vehicles – especially electric vehicles – contain a multitude of electronic components. Driver assistance systems, infotainment, sensor technology, power electronics and battery management systems significantly increase the density of electronic assemblies.

As electronics become increasingly complex, the importance of high-quality tin alloys for reliable solder joints is also growing. Industry analyses assume that electromobility will make a significant contribution to additional global demand for tin in the coming years.

Tin is therefore a key material for the functionality, safety and durability of modern vehicles.

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Body solder

Automotive Body Technology

In addition to vehicle electronics, lead-tin alloys are also used in car body construction. They have proven themselves there for decades and continue to fulfil important functions. We offer optimised car body solder for high-quality car body construction and professional repairs. Our alloys are characterised by an ideal melting range, which enables precise modelling in a doughy state.

Traditional tinning is no longer an industrial series technology in car manufacturing today. It is mainly used in classic car restoration, in manufacturing companies and for special repair and maintenance work. In these areas, tinning continues to be valued for its dimensional stability, adhesion and durability.

Compared to alternative materials such as fillers, lead-tin alloys offer greater dimensional stability, lower moisture absorption and very good adhesion to metallic substrates. This contributes to the corrosion resistance and durability of the body structure.

Typical alloys for body solder: Sn92Cu8 Sn97Cu3

as well as PbSb alloys, lead-silver-antimony alloys, tin-zinc-copper alloys

Applications	Advantages
Hard and soft soldering work on bodywork and vehicle components Sealing of folds and spot welds Gap fillers for high durability requirements Repair and restoration work, especially in classic vehicle construction/vintage car restoration	Vibration-resistant connection no shrinkage excellent grindability

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Alloys for energy storage & plain bearings

Despite technological advances, lead remains a key metal in the industry. We supply specialised lead alloys for the next generation of starter batteries and heavy-duty engine components.

Tin-lead alloys are used in combustion engines:

Emergency running properties: Lead in these alloys can have a lubricating effect in the event of a brief loss of oil film, thereby preventing engine damage.

High-load contacting: Special alloys for battery terminal caps

The interface between energy storage and vehicle electrical systems requires materials with the highest integrity. We focus on special alloys for battery terminal contact.

Application: Casting and connecting materials for pole caps and terminals.
Advantage: Our alloys minimise contact resistance and offer excellent resistance to corrosion caused by electrolyte vapours. They guarantee long-term mechanical stability of the terminals throughout the entire service life of the battery.

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What does the new EU battery regulation mean for the use of lead?

The EU Battery Regulation, which has been in force since 2023, replaces the previous Battery Directive and tightens the requirements for sustainability and recycling. For lead, this means

Permissibility: lead will continue to be permitted for certain battery applications as it is technically necessary.
Recycling rates: The regulation stipulates high recovery rates for lead - currently over 75%, but in practice over 99% is achieved.
Sustainable procurement: Manufacturers must demonstrate that materials are extracted and recycled in a responsible and environmentally friendly manner.

Thanks to our closed recycling loop, our products already meet the requirements of the EU Battery Regulation and ensure a reliable supply of raw materials.

Beyond Automotive

Höchste Zuverlässigkeit für Railway & Aerospace

Our expertise does not end on the road. We supply specialised tin and lead alloys for the extreme demands of aviation and rail transport:

Railway	Aircraft construction (aerospace)
Tin and lead are indispensable here due to the extreme mechanical stresses and long life cycles.	The world's strictest safety standards apply here. Tin plays a key role in safety electronics.
Large-scale tinning: Unlike in car manufacturing, tinning is still widely used in rail vehicle construction. The outer skin elements of multiple units are tin-plated at the seams, as conventional filler would not withstand the massive vibrations and twisting forces during travel. Heavy-duty bearings: Locomotives use solid plain bearings made of tin-antimony alloys (white metals). They offer the necessary emergency running properties under extreme loads. Overhead lines & electrical systems: Tin alloys are used to coat high-current contacts and solid connectors to prevent corrosion caused by weathering.	Highly reliable electronics: While the automotive industry has almost completely switched to lead-free tin, there are often exceptions for lead-containing solders in aircraft construction. The reason: Lead additives prevent the growth of "whiskers" (tiny metal needles) that could cause short circuits in the on-board electronics at cruising altitude. Engine components: Special tin alloys are used as wear layers or in bearings. Lightning protection: Tin-coated components help to ensure the electrical conductivity of the outer skin, which is vital for dissipating lightning strikes.

Railway

Aircraft construction (aerospace)

Tin and lead are indispensable here due to the extreme mechanical stresses and long life cycles.

The world's strictest safety standards apply here. Tin plays a key role in safety electronics.

Large-scale tinning: Unlike in car manufacturing, tinning is still widely used in rail vehicle construction. The outer skin elements of multiple units are tin-plated at the seams, as conventional filler would not withstand the massive vibrations and twisting forces during travel.
Heavy-duty bearings: Locomotives use solid plain bearings made of tin-antimony alloys (white metals). They offer the necessary emergency running properties under extreme loads.
Overhead lines & electrical systems: Tin alloys are used to coat high-current contacts and solid connectors to prevent corrosion caused by weathering.

Highly reliable electronics: While the automotive industry has almost completely switched to lead-free tin, there are often exceptions for lead-containing solders in aircraft construction. The reason: Lead additives prevent the growth of "whiskers" (tiny metal needles) that could cause short circuits in the on-board electronics at cruising altitude.
Engine components: Special tin alloys are used as wear layers or in bearings.
Lightning protection: Tin-coated components help to ensure the electrical conductivity of the outer skin, which is vital for dissipating lightning strikes.

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Your contact person

Maxim Richter

Head of Sales & Logistics

verkauf@feinhuette.de +49 3731 295 131