Australian Steel Development Programme for the Automotive Industry

An intensive steel development programme for the Australian automotive industry has been in progress since 1976. To co-ordinate the developments and to gain greater understanding of the utilisation of the new steels, inter-company task groups were established. Steels developed included hot and cold rolled high strength low alloy grades, recovery annealed grades, as well as a rephosphorised steel for panel applications. Additionally, highly formable non ageing hot rolled and cold rolled low strength steels were also developed. The role of vacuum degassing, slab casting and low sulphur steel technology in achieving the required properties is emphasised. Current and future developments are outlined. Of particular interest are the sound deadening and coated steels.