Nov . 10, 2023 11:35 Back to list

Stainless steel automotive and transport developments

Stainless steel is widely used in car exhaust systems and for auto parts such as hose clamps and seatbelt springs. It will soon be common in chassis, suspension, body, fuel tank and catalytic converter applications. Stainless is now a candidate for structural applications.

Stainless is now a candidate for structural applications. Offering weight savings, enhanced “crashworthiness” and corrosion resistance, it can also be recycled. The material blends tough mechanical and fire-resistant properties with excellent manufacturability. Under impact, high-strength stainless offers excellent energy absorption in relation to strain rate. It is ideal for the revolutionary “space frame” car body-structure concept.

Amongst transport applications, Sweden’s X2000 high-speed train is clad in austenitic.

The shiny surface needs no galvanising or painting and can be cleaned by washing. This brings cost and environmental benefits. The strength of the material allows reduced gauges, lower vehicle weight and lower fuel costs. More recently, France chose austenitic for its new-generation TER regional trains. Bus bodies, too, are increasingly made of stainless. A new stainless grade that welcomes a painted surface is used for tram fleets in certain European cities. Safe, light, durable, crash resistant, economical and environment friendly, stainless seems the nearideal solution.

Stainless versus light metals

One grade of particular interest is AISI 301L (EN 1.4318). This stainless steel has particularly remarkable work-hardening properties, and high tensile strength, which confer outstanding “crashworthiness” (resistant behaviour of the material in an accident). It also means it can be used in thin gauges. Other advantages include exceptional formability and corrosion resistance. Today, this is the preferred grade for structural application in railway carriages. Experience gained in this context can be readily transferred to the automotive sector..............

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https://www.worldstainless.org/Files/issf/non-image-files/PDF/Stainlesssteelautomotiveandtransportdevelopments.pdf