When facing tomorrow’s challenges within automotive manufacturing, AHSS is one material that can deliver the best of both worlds – lower costs as well as sustainability. On the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) scale, AHSS lets OEMs have their cake and eat it to. A deeper look shows why.
“While other materials are considered 100 percent recyclable, steel provides the possibility to make a wide range of grades from recycled material,” explains Arnaud Guerendel, Global Sales Director, SSAB. “Other lightweight materials can only be repurposed for basic use after recycling. In this respect, steel is best-in-class once more. With the use of advanced high strength steel, the challenges that come with complex multi-material solutions can be eased.”
In addition, consistent properties that reduce scrap, downtime and issues in production, also contribute greatly to the cost savings and are a big part of the value in using steel.
“Many grades of advanced high strength steel allow for cold forming. This may require less energy than with other materials and allows for more productivity that can translate directly to cost savings,” explains Guerendel.
Guerendel goes further and explains that there is a big advantage for steel in this comparison. However, that there are also differences between steel itself.
“SSAB has one of the cleanest steel manufacturing processes in the world. And by using advanced or ultra high strength steel you can further reduce the emissions as you will be using less steel.”
The overall picture
As governments set higher requirements on CO2 emissions, fuel economy and production, OEMs must find a way to manufacture their products in a cost effective way. Smart designs with AHSS presents an easier path ahead.