Dana Corporation Signs Two Agreements to Further Develop AtmoPlas(TM) Technology

TOLEDO, Ohio, June 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Dana Corporation (NYSE: DCN) announced today that it has signed separate development agreements with two leading heat-treating system manufacturers to further develop Dana's AtmoPlas(TM) technology.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990903/DANA )

Under the terms of the agreements, ALD Vacuum Technologies AG and RUBIG GmbH & Co. KG will become licensees of Dana's AtmoPlas microwave atmospheric plasma technology and utilize the technology as they develop next-generation heat-treating equipment.

ALD plans to develop and manufacture carburizing systems utilizing the AtmoPlas technology, and Rubig plans to incorporate Dana's technology into nitriding processes. In turn, Dana plans to utilize this advanced technology in its heat-treating processes. The agreements with both companies could be expanded beyond their initial focus to include other applications in the future.

"These joint-development agreements are exciting next steps as we move toward fully commercializing Dana's AtmoPlas technology," said Chuck Heine, president of technology development for Dana. "ALD and Rubig bring a wealth of heat-treating expertise in the areas of carburization and nitriding, and we look forward to working with them as important equipment-building partners."

Dana's AtmoPlas process generates and sustains plasma at atmospheric pressure - without costly vacuum equipment - to effectively harness microwave energy. Within seconds, temperatures can reach 1,200 degrees Celsius, and there is no known upper temperature limit. This reduces cycle times and can lead to lower energy use. Other key benefits include lower operating and maintenance costs and an overall reduction in capital investment.

"Like Dana, both ALD and Rubig embrace the development of new technologies and believe in delivering the greatest efficiency and quality," said Heinz- Ubbo Eilks, executive vice president of business development and technology at Dana. "As early adopters of this technology, ALD and Rubig will be able to offer their customers more advanced heat treating than is currently available. Dana is excited to be working with these companies as we fully leverage the practical uses of the AtmoPlas technology."

Dana has identified many potential uses for its AtmoPlas(TM) technology and has successfully completed the proof-of-concept and technical and commercial analyses for carburization and nitriding. The company is working to commercialize additional applications for AtmoPlas technology, including hardening, sintering, brazing, and annealing. Potential surface-treatment applications include hard-material coatings such as DLC, oxides, and plasma cleaning.

Dana has applied for more than 20 patents for AtmoPlas(TM) technology, and was recently awarded its first patent for joining metal. Recent findings indicate that the AtmoPlas process may revolutionize engine combustion, as well.

ALD Vacuum Technologies AG of Hanau, Germany, is the leading supplier of process technologies and services in the field of vacuum metallurgy and vacuum heat treatment. With subsidiaries in the United States, Japan, and the United Kingdom, as well as more than 70 representatives worldwide, ALD supplies markets such as high-grade special steel, power-generation, environment, aviation, photo-voltaic, material producers, and automotive suppliers.

Based in Austria, RUBIG(R) GmbH & Co. KG is a major supplier to commercial heat-treatment and coating companies, especially those in the automotive and aerospace industries. Founded in 1946, Rubig is a specialist in plasma nitriding and has joint ventures in Canada, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Austria. The company's Website is http://www.rubig.com/.

Dana people design and manufacture products for every major vehicle producer in the world. Dana is focused on being an essential partner to automotive, commercial, and off-highway vehicle customers, which collectively produce more than 60 million vehicles every year. A leading supplier of axle, driveshaft, engine, frame, chassis, and transmission technologies, Dana employs 46,000 people in 28 countries. The company is based in Toledo, Ohio, and reported sales of $9.1 billion in 2004. Dana's Internet address is http://www.dana.com/.

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SOURCE: Dana Corporation

Web site: http://www.dana.com/ http://www.rubig.com/

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