Welding Processing for HSLA Steels in Unitized Body Construction

The American Motors Corporation 1977 model Gremlin and Hornet passenger cars utilize SAE 980 XK high strength low alloy (HSLA) steel as the material from which is fabricated the body side rear sills. This is the first known application of 80 ksi (552 MPa) HSLA steel for a unitized auto body major structural component. The selection of 980 XK HSLA steel enabled AMC advanced chassis engineers to successfully modify an existing rear body structure to withstand the rear barrier impact test required for 1977 model passenger cars by FMVSS #301.

This paper presents the welding, assembly, and quality control procedures developed by AMC manufacturing engineers to assure that production body structures meet all design specifications.