The Gold Standard in Automotive Corrosion Protection
Cathodic Electro Deposition (CED), commonly known as e-coating, is an advanced electrocoating process where electrically charged paint particles are deposited uniformly onto a grounded metal substrate submerged in a water-based paint bath. DC current drives the coating deep into recesses and complex geometries that conventional spray methods cannot reach.
Widely adopted by global and Pakistani automotive OEMs, CED forms the critical first corrosion-protection layer on car bodies, chassis frames, and intricate structural components before topcoats are applied.
- Cathodic Epoxy CED
- Anodic Acrylic CED
- Thick Film CED
- Thin Film CED
- Auto Body Shells
- Auto Parts & Brackets
- Metal Frames & Chassis
- Complex Geometries
How CED Process Works
A precisely controlled 4-stage process that guarantees uniform, pinhole-free deposition on every surface — inside and out.
Pre-Treatment
Clean and phosphate the metal surface to remove oils, scale, and contaminants. Creates a zinc/iron phosphate base for maximum adhesion.
Electrodeposition
Parts submerged in the e-coat tank. DC current applied — charged paint particles migrate and deposit uniformly on all metal surfaces.
Rinsing
Multi-stage ultrafiltration rinse removes excess paint and drag-out. Closed-loop system recovers paint for near-zero waste operation.
Curing
Oven baked at 175–185°C for 20 minutes. Cross-linking creates an extremely hard, uniform film with outstanding corrosion resistance.
CED Technical Advantages
Industry-leading e-coat performance engineered specifically for high-volume automotive production environments.
Uniform Film Thickness
Consistent 20–25 µm across all surfaces including box sections, cavities, and recesses — impossible with spray application.
100% Bath Utilization
Near-zero paint waste with closed-loop ultrafiltration recovery. Transfer efficiency approaches 100% versus 60–70% for spray.
Penetrates Complex Shapes
Electric field drives coating into deep recesses, blind holes, and overlapping flanges — full protection on every internal surface.
1000h Salt Spray
Exceeds ASTM B117 1000-hour salt spray test. Provides the long-term corrosion protection demanded by global OEM standards.
High-Volume Production
Fully automatable, continuous conveyor process. Ideal for high-throughput OEM lines processing hundreds of bodies per shift.
Zero Pinhole Guarantee
Self-limiting electrodeposition stops at insulating thickness — naturally eliminating pinholes and thin spots in the film.
CED Technical Data
Comparative technical specifications for UNICO Cathodic and Anodic CED systems.
| Parameter | Cathodic CED | Anodic CED |
|---|---|---|
| Film Thickness | 20–25 µm | 15–22 µm |
| Cure Temperature | 175–185°C | 160–175°C |
| Cure Time | 20 min | 25 min |
| Salt Spray (ASTM B117) | 1000+ Hours | 500+ Hours |
| pH Range | 5.8–6.2 | 7.5–8.5 |
| Solid Content | 18–22% | 16–20% |
Integrate CED into Your Production Line
Our CED specialists provide complete system design, installation support, and ongoing technical service to ensure your line runs at peak performance.