Posted on 08 Nov 2010
ArcelorMittal is moving to further unlock the potential of stronger, weight-saving steels in the construction of cars, Michel Babbit, manager of the group’s research centre for automotive products in Maizières,
The steelmaker is launching a range of advanced high-strength, press hardened and other steel solutions, dubbed “S-in motion”, which if applied to the optimum extent in a standard C-class car could save 73kg in weight and, consequently, some 6.2g/km of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions.
CO2 regulations may be the major challenge for car manufacturers in areas like Europe and the
an average of 130g/km by 2015 or face fines. The limit tightens to 95g/km in 2020.
At the heart of S-in motion is Usibor: aluminium-coated boron steel sheet for hot stamping, with a strength of 1,500 megapascals. ArcelorMittal expects consumption of Usibor, at 200,000 tonnes this year, to reach 800,000t globally in 2015, or more depending on the take-up in
The group produces Usibor at its coating plant in
Innovative automotive steels can also counter the challenge from lightweight, although much more expensive, alternatives like aluminium and carbon fibre, Van der Hoeven notes.
