Thanks to the new anodization, Suzuki outboards last longer and produce less CO2
The Japanese motor manufacturer presents a new anodizing technology for outboard engine components that allows for up to 50% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to conventional treatments.
Suzuki Motor Corporation has developed a new anodizing technology for outboard engine components, making it the first time it has been adopted for mass production. This process was introduced on the DF140B outboard, representing a first for mass production, but will gradually be extended to other models in the Suzuki range. Outboard engines are cooled by the intake and recirculation of large quantities of water, often saltwater. Therefore, effective anti-corrosion treatments in the cooling ducts are critical to engine reliability and durability. Suzuki's new technology improves corrosion resistance through a uniform anodizing process applied to the internal surfaces of components that come into contact with seawater.
With this new treatment, the cylinder block, cylinder head, and crankcase are even more resistant to corrosion and capable of performing better at high temperatures. Furthermore, the new anodizing technology significantly contributes to carbon neutrality in the manufacturing process, reducing CO₂ emissions released during the manufacturing process by approximately 50% compared to traditional surface treatments. Going into technical detail, the anodizing treatment involves immersing the aluminum in an electrolytic solution to which a current is applied. This creates a porous oxidized layer that protects against corrosion. Thanks to a new immersion process that prevents the formation of air bubbles, it is now possible to uniformly treat even complex geometries, such as those inside the cooling circuit ducts.
At high temperatures, however, microcracks can form in the anodized layer, reducing its protective effectiveness. To prevent these, Suzuki has developed a low-temperature system that uses metal hydrates to seal the surface pores, ensuring resistance to temperatures up to 300°C. Suzuki has also patented a system for sealing the cast iron liners integrated into the cylinders using a template, which completely isolates the cast iron parts during treatment, protecting them from potential electrolysis damage that could occur if they came into contact with the electrolytic solution. Traditional anodizing systems involve chemical treatments followed by painting, with energy-intensive processes such as drying and baking. Replacing them with anodizing eliminates these steps, thus reducing carbon dioxide emissions during the anodizing process by 50%.
"The technology we've introduced into the manufacturing processes of our outboard motors," says Shuichi Mishima, general manager of Marine Operations at Suzuki Motor Corporation, "improves their quality, thanks to greater corrosion resistance, and makes a tangible contribution to carbon neutrality by reducing CO₂ emissions in the manufacturing process. This is a unique technology in the world for mass-produced outboard motors. Suzuki is committed to developing new technological solutions that benefit the environment, and this is an important milestone."
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