Introduction of High Strength Steel for Commercial Vehicles - Light Weighting of Vehicles

Light weighting is an increasingly important objective for auto manufacturers. Every gram of weight saved reduces CO₂ emissions and thus makes the vehicles eco-friendlier. The reduction in sheet thickness by use of high strength steel is being increasingly adopted as an effective means for weight reduction, because of cost savings. The exhaustive research analysis by ULSAB (Ultra-Light Steel for Auto Body) /ULSAC (Ultra-Light Steel for Auto Concept) has demonstrated that steel is the only material suited to meet the conflicting demands of properties required for the auto applications and offers the possibility of weight saving potential and increased payload.

ESSAR steel recognizes the need for stringent product needs for the increasing demands in the new scenario of increasing globalization and design of new generation world platforms. In this paper typical example of components by substitution of S650MC high strength steel grade for long member application for commercial vehicle is presented. Details of metallurgical product designing, development and stabilizing (product as well as customer) are presented to meet today's market demand in terms of weight saving which consequently results in fuel saving.