The new steels

Lessons learned on where, why, and how to use new higher-strength materials is an information-sharing mandate of high order.

As higher-strength steels continue to gain momentum in automotive applications, the dramatic increase in steel grade choices has suppliers and automakers making usage decisions with a much different choice set than a decade ago. The reason is simply that the number of new steels has unfolded faster than comprehensive usage recommendations have materialized.

“Over half of the steel grades on the market today were not available 10 years ago,” said John Surma, President and Chief Executive Officer of United States Steel, adding, “The steels of today are constantly evolving to the needs of our customers.” In the mid-1990s, avoidance of higher-strength steels was rather typical for suppliers and automakers because information about welding, stamping, and other processing parameters was sketchy at best.