HIGH STRENGTH AND STAINLESS STEELS FOR AUTOMOTIVE APPLICATIONS

摘要

The need to address environmental concerns, abide by government regulations, increase crash safety and improve customer satisfaction has placed new emphasis on using high strength steels in cars and trucks produced for the US auto market. Fuel economy improvements and reduction of carbon dioxide emissions could be achieved through the combined effects of weight saving, aerodynamic streamlining, friction reduction and power-train enhancements. Reduction of vehicle weight can be achieved by replacing parts made from carbon steel with those made from thinner gages of high strength steels. The low cost and superior strength of many grades of high strength steels compared to aluminum alloys make them excellent candidates for improved safety and increased lightweight applications in automobiles. This paper reviews the various types of High Strength and Stainless Steels and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of using them in the automotive industry.