Still need steel?

The use of ultra-high-strength steels is on the rise in a number of industries, including off-highway. But many alternatives are being considered, driven by the need of companies to be environmentally friendly.

Legislation and regulations relating to environmental improvements continue to influence the development of all vehicle sectors at every turn, off-highway included. The recent drive toward Euro 6 regulations and CAFE standards are proving to be time-consuming and all-encompassing for engineers who look for any means possible to clean up their vehicles in a bid to meet the magic fuel-economy figures and emissions levels.

Cutting weight is yielding plenty of benefits, with many of these being found with steel structures, albeit in newer forms of the material.