Standardization News

ASTM International’s engine coolants and related fluids committee (D15) is developing two proposed standards that will be used to evaluate the ability of electric vehicle (EV) coolants to protect against corrosion.

Coolants help regulate operating temperatures while providing protection against corrosion, freezing, and overheating. Coolants can come directly in contact with the vehicle fuel cell stack, battery, or other vehicle components, or may circulate through a cooling plate heat exchanger used to control batteries’ temperature and other electrical components.

According to ASTM member Allan Morrison, the proposed standard test methods (WK76375 and WK83561) will assist electric vehicle designers and EV coolant producers in evaluating the effectiveness of the corrosion inhibitors for various coolant technologies.

“Electric vehicles experience both rapid heating of the batteries during charging cycles and the need to warm the battery in cold temperatures,” says ASTM member Allan Morrison, AMT Consulting. “Coolants need to be low-conductive and provide corrosion protection for the cooling system.”

According to Morrison, the task group developing these proposed standards is developing additional proposed specifications relating to glycol-based coolants (WK52011) and waterless-based coolant (WK80854). All interested parties are invited to join in the development of these proposed standards. 

ASTM welcomes participation in the development of its standards. JOIN ASTM. 

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