At this year’s Battery Show North America, Wacker Chemical Corp. (WCC) is highlighting advanced thermally conductive (TC) adhesives, underscoring the company’s commitment to innovation in electric vehicle (EV) battery technology.

As the EV industry shifts from traditional cell-to-module (CTM) architectures to cell-to-pack (CTP) and cell-to-chassis (CTC) designs, the demand for high-performance adhesives that ensure both thermal management and structural integrity has never been greater. The Battery Show North America will take place in Detroit, Michigan from October 6 to 9.

Part of the next generations of battery designs require thermally conductive adhesives that provide both essential thermal management and structural support for electric vehicle batteries. WACKER is therefore adding thermally conductive adhesives (TCA) to its existing portfolio to fulfill a broader variety of technical needs of our customers in the battery environment. The company’s silicone and hybrid adhesives are engineered to meet these evolving requirements. The company’s proprietary hybrid TC adhesives, based on silane-terminated polyether (STP-E) technology, combine the flexibility and temperature resistance of silicones with the mechanical strength of organic polymers. This unique combination delivers customizable curing, high thermal conductivity, chemical resistance, and flame retardance — key attributes for enhancing EV battery performance and safety.

“As EV battery architectures evolve, WACKER’s thermally conductive adhesives are designed to anticipate industry trends like new vehicle assembly methods, re-workability, and total value optimization,” said Peter Zorney, senior director of Electronics and Automotive business segment responsible for North and Central America, including the United States. “Our silicone-based adhesives have proven to maintain nearly constant mechanical performance after enduring thermal aging and thermal shock, ensuring reliability and safety for electric vehicles.”

Hybrid Technology

Unlike conventional epoxy, acrylic, or polyurethane adhesives, WACKER’s hybrid TC adhesives are isocyanate-free, solvent-free, and tin-free, making them safer and easier to use. They are designed to maintain high adhesive strength, hardness, and flexibility even after prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures and humidity — critical for the latest battery designs that are more susceptible to environmental stresses.

Extreme Conditions

As electric vehicle battery architectures transition from traditional CTM designs to more advanced CTP and CTC configurations, the requirements for thermal interface materials are rapidly changing. WACKER’s thermally conductive adhesives are specifically engineered to meet emerging industry trends, including the drive for lightweighting, reducing complexity, and minimizing costs.

Visit WACKER at the Battery Show North America 2025 at Booth 5011.

Learn more about WACKER at www.wacker.com.