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News Release from: Institution of Mechanical Engineers
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 30 April 2008
Steel continues to be preferred for cars
Used in 99% of all cars produced during 1997, steel will continue to be the preferred body structure material and advanced high strength steels is cost-effective in reducing car weights.
At the IMechE 'Lightweighting for carbon-free vehicles' conference, which took place during April 23 at the Jaguar Assembly Plant in Birmingham, UK, Professor Jon King, director of Corus Automotive Engineering, explained that steel continues to remain the preferred body structure material for vehicle construction Steel was used in 99% of all new cars in 2007, said Prof King
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 16 Nov 2005 at 8.00am (UK)
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Although the average vehicle is now 50% heavier compared to 40 years ago, the use of advanced high strength steels (AHSS) has provided cost-effective lightweighting on vehicles over the last 10 years or so.
The vehicles are up to 60kg lighter, despite the huge improvements made in structural safety.
AHSS deployment in many recently launched vehicles, can equate to a saving of more than one tonne of CO2 over the vehicle's lifespan.
* EU legislation - new EU legislation proposes a 20% reduction in today's CO2 levels, down to 130g/km in 2012.
Penalties for non-compliance by the vehicle manufacturer will be determined by a weight-based sliding scale.
Cost-effective lightweighting measures will be made to complement the efforts being made on powertrain efficiency and aerodynamic improvements.
Prof King described the range of AHSS technologies and their attributes that makes steel the most cost-effective material for achieving weight savings in mass production applications.
Material selection is assuming a greater priority in the vehicle development process.
Choices need to be made early as they have a fundamental effect on vehicle architecture and manufacturing assumptions.
At a detailed level, the development and use of advanced simulation tools is crucial, as the need for optimisation instead of compromise assumes greater and greater importance.
Professor King explained: "These results are significant, with steel continuing to be the benchmark material in vehicle body construction.
Looking forward to further technological developments and improved collaboration between vehicle manufacturers and their supply chains, huge possibilities exist for additional weight reduction and innovation, as the automotive industry faces increasing pressure and legislative measures to reduce emissions beyond 2012".
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