Zircotec’s coloured ceramic coating for Atom V8 supercar

Ariel’s new Atom V8 supercar is the first OEM application of Zircotec’s Performance Colours ceramic exhaust coating, which offers both a highly aesthetic and effective thermal barrier. Specified by Ariel to ensure the exposed and visible exhaust system maintains its beauty, the plasma-sprayed coating also prevents heat transfer generated by the 500bhp, three litre V8 engine.

“Zircotec coatings are trusted in high performance applications at the highest levels of motorsport offering surface temperature reductions of over 30 percent,” says Zircotec’s sales director Peter Whyman. “Our lightweight coating offers a high performance, durable and professional finish that is entirely appropriate for the Atom V8, a car fitted with many race specification components and described by Ariel as a race car with number plates,”

Ariel is the first vehicle manufacturer to specify one of Zircotec’s coloured ceramics. The Atom V8’s exposed powder coated chassis, coloured gold for the limited run of just 25 cars, provided an opportunity to use a coating that would complement the chassis’ finish. Unlike many ‘high temperature’ paint finishes, Zircotec’s coatings offer a long-lasting and zero maintenance solution that has been tested to OEM lifetime standards.

In line with the bespoke manufacturing of the Atom V8, each exhaust is hand sprayed using a plasma torch running at over 12,000°C at Zircotec’s new Abingdon factory. After a proprietary nickel-based bond coat, molten ceramic is applied on the carefully prepared system to a thickness of just under 350 microns.

Zircotec coatings are being increasingly used by high performance road and race car manufacturers as a solution to effectively manage heat. In 2010, over 70 percent of the F1 grid is using Zircotec coatings to offer durability and performance benefits.

For more information, visit zircotec.com.