Research & Innovation – Coolants for Internal Combustion Engines
Reliable Heat Dissipation Under High Thermal Loads
In-house laboratory
IATF 16949
Validated according to ASTM D3306
Challenge & Requirements
Modern internal combustion engines place high demands on coolants. Compact designs, increasing power densities, and high local component temperatures increase the thermal load on the cooling system.
ROWE develops coolant solutions that remain chemically, thermally, and materially stable—even over long periods of use.
Our research combines chemistry, thermodynamics, and materials science to specifically prevent corrosion, deposits, and material degradation.
➔ Result: Long-term stability, material compatibility, and thermal resilience are at the heart of our development.
Thermal Stability and Long-Term Durability
High temperatures accelerate the aging of coolants. ROWE develops additive systems that maintain a stable pH, buffer capacity, and corrosion protection even under continuous thermal stress.
Chemical Stability
Heat Resistance
Corrosion Protection
Dirty vs. Clean Radiator
ROWE simulates these aging processes under realistic conditions and develops additive systems that:
- ensure stable buffering capacity,
- protect metallic surfaces even at temperatures above 150 °C,
- maintain their inhibitor performance for years.
➔ Temperature stability, chemical resistance, and material compatibility—for long-lasting engine components and stable cooling systems.
➔ Result: consistent protective effect—even at high local component temperatures.
Process Compatibility & Water Quality
Water quality, traces of flux, and process residues can affect coolant stability.
ROWE therefore tests formulations under real-world conditions for flux compatibility, hard water stability, and process compatibility.
Flux Compatibility
→ No gel formation or precipitation
Hard Water Stability
→ no limescale buildup, consistent buffering
Process Compatibility
→ No additive degradation
Clear vs. Cloudy Beaker / Hard Water or Stability Test.
➔ Goal: Stable systems free of deposits—even under real-world operating conditions.
An Overview of Additive Technologies
Coolant technologies must be compatible with the system. Temperature profile, material mix, water quality, manufacturing residues, and OEM requirements determine which additive platform is technically appropriate.
ROWE has mastered modern coolant platforms and combines them to suit specific applications:
Key Technologies:
🟠 OAT: silicate-free long-term inhibition based on organic acids
🟡 Si-OAT Hybrid: Rapid primary protection for aluminum surfaces via silicates, combined with long-term organic protection
🟡 MoSi-OAT Hybrid: silicate- and molybdate-based systems for high thermal loads and increased resistance to manufacturing and flux residues
🟢 Phosphate/hybrid systems: Technologies for specific OEM, material, and water quality requirements
No off-the-shelf products—each formulation is specifically tailored to the system, material, and application.
Development
Expertise
OEM Requirements
Laboratory, Certification, and Research Partners
Our Testing Technology and Quality Standards
Our development and quality processes are integrated into a management system certified to IATF 16949. State-of-the-art testing technology, analytical monitoring, and application-oriented test methods form the foundation of our coolant development.
Test criteria:
- ASTM D1384 – Metal Plate Corrosion
- ASTM D4340 – Aluminum hot plate test
- Dynamic test bench tests (FVV 530)
- Hard water stability tests
- High-Temperature Stability Tests
- Elastomer and seal compatibility tests
- Compatibility and miscibility tests with relevant reference products and commercially available OEM technologies
- Long-term circulation tests and analysis, e.g., pH, conductivity, metal ions, and additive degradation
➔ Result: Each batch is analytically monitored from raw material through to release.
Certifications & Management Systems
ROWE operates on the basis of established quality, environmental, and energy management systems. These standards support reproducible development, controlled manufacturing processes, and consistent quality assurance.
IATF 16949
ISO 9001
ISO 14001
ISO 50001
Analytics
Validation
Quality Management
Research Networks and Partner Institutions
In addition to its in-house testing and development resources, ROWE is integrated into a specialized research and industry network.
In collaboration with universities, institutes, and research associations such as the FVV, as well as through active participation in relevant ASTM working groups, ROWE helps shape the further development of testing methods, specifications, and application-oriented validation concepts.
This close integration of science and industry ensures that our developments always reflect the latest state of the art—with direct relevance to real-world OEM requirements.
➔ Result: Research, industry, and practical application are intertwined—with direct relevance to modern cooling systems.
OEM Requirements & Validated Technology Platforms
Development Based on Real-World System Requirements
ROWE develops coolant technologies based on laboratory results, test bench data, and application-specific stress tests.
In doing so, specific consideration is given to temperature ranges, material composition, seal compatibility, water quality, manufacturing residues, and customer-specific requirements.
Joint Development with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs)
Based on laboratory results, ROWE works with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to develop customized coolant concepts—from feasibility studies and test bench trials to the production approval of individual formulations.
This practical collaboration makes it possible to validate products early on under real-world system conditions and tailor them specifically to OEM requirements.
Engine/Test Bench Technician
System Requirements
Application
Validation
Technology Platforms & Applications
Research leads to the development of coolant platforms for various applications—ranging from silicate-free OAT systems to Si-OAT and MoSi-OAT hybrids, as well as phosphate- and hybrid-based technologies designed to meet specific material, market, and OEM requirements.
Depending on the application and target profile, the formulations are tested and validated according to relevant test requirements, including ASTM D3306.
➔ Result: From additive chemistry to application: ROWE develops coolant technologies tailored to real-world systems.
FAQs –
Frequently Asked Questions
Your Partner for Research and Application
ROWE combines chemical expertise, state-of-the-art testing technology, and application-oriented validation to develop coolant technologies that function reliably even under high thermal stress.
