Lightweight Tailgates with Stainless Steel

To meet the automotive industry's increasing demand for lighter, more cost efficient products, AK Steel Corporation sees stainless steel as an effective material for structural components, including many light-weight body applications. With this in mind, AK Steel commissioned Troy, MI based Altair Engineering Inc. to design a lightweight tailgate using stainless steel that was easier to open and more resistant to dent and corrosion damage. The concept was designed to meet or exceed the performance of a current production carbon steel tailgate. This stainless steel design resulted in a 38% weight reduction over the carbon steel tailgate and can be a more cost-effective solution to aluminum or other alternative light-weight materials.