More Strength, Less Weight
The automotive industry is continuously exploring new technologies to facilitate the increasing demand to reduce emissions while simultaneously improving performance. Through collaborations across the steel supply chain, progress of these advancements has been successful to stay above the threshold. One of these advancements is the development of High Strength Low Alloy (HSLA) steel grades.
Since the introduction of HSLA grades, steel manufacturers have taken advantage of their distinct capabilities to gain strength while retaining formability. The combination of low carbon content and small amounts of various alloys(manganese, columbium, vanadium, and titanium) gives way to its unique feature- increased tensile strength to reduce required part thicknesses. This higher strength-to-weight ratio gives way to the term lightweighting, where material is substituted to reduce the weight of a component part.
Benefits of Lightweighting
By utilizing lightweight steel parts, multiple industries can benefit from four key benefits:
– INCREASED PAYLOAD
o A lighter fabrication allows for more: more space, more weight, more productivity
– IMPROVED FUEL EFFICIENCY
o Reduce the overall mass without sacrificing strength to lower fuel requirements
– REDUCED CARBON FOOTPRINT
o Go green by lightweighting to reduce carbon emissions
– BETTER PERFORMANCE
o Extra weight stresses existing components: extend longevity and get more from your investment.
Additionally, lightweighting offers indirect benefits, including:
– Market Differentiation: Lightweighting provides an opportunity to stand out in the marketplace against competitors.
– Operational Ease: Advanced grades are compatible with welding, forming, and cutting.
– Transportation Cost: Lighter parts means the ability to ship more parts per truck.
– Safety: Reduce workplace hazard by making parts lighter to move.
One aspect to consider when switching to a steel grade with higher strength is the measure of stiffness. Although the yield strength and tensile strength will increase when switching to a higher grade, the elastic modulus will remain the same. This means thinner parts may require stiffeners to be designed into the fabrication.
Other Considerations
Today, lightweighting steel grades have developed into new heights and across other industries. Aerospace and agricultural industries are just a few who recognized the benefits of how a higher payload can further their goals. Steel mills have also broadened from HSLA steel grades in recent years. They now offer Ultra High Strength Steel (UHSS) grades including grade 100 and advanced steels such as Dual Phase, TRIP steel, and martensitric grades. Abrasion resistant grades are offered up to AR500.
Learn more about Grade 100:
Download our Line Card to learn more about light weighting
Written By: Allison Lucak, P.E.
Metallurgist