Application of High-Strength Steels in Vehicle Design

Abstract

High-strength steels are the materials, which could fulfill the requirements for mass reduction, improve energy efficiency, reduced fuel consumption of modern automotive industry without compromising in safety and affordability. This kind of materials are relatively new for automotive applications. The lightweight capability of high-strength steels resulted from theirs microstructure, obtained through combinations of micro alloying elements and highly controlled production processes. Due to advanced properties, especially very beneficial combination of strength and ductility, high-strength steels must be considered differently from the conventional steels, which they replaced during design process of new vehicles. This fact is the basis hypothesis for this paper. The research shown in the paper is done by relevant literature survey related to this area. The results presented in the relevant literature were analyzed and put into relationship with modern demands in vehicle design. The aim of this paper is to identify the aspects of high-strength steels application in automotive industry and to highlight of perspectives of this application. The conclusion of the paper is that high-strength steels provide lightweight and environment friendly capability in vehicle design with sustainable prices, remained reliability and even improved safety. The global conclusion of the paper is that steels, especially high strength steels are favourable material for vehicle applications.