Steel in Your Car
Steel Provides Ultimate Protection on the Road
Do you ever think about what would protect you if you
were in a car crash? Even though you might not, fortunately for
you automakers do.
The structure of your car, often referred to as the
safety cage, is designed with your safety in mind. That’s
why it’s made from steel. A steel safety cage absorbs the
energy created in a crash by bending without breaking. Because
steel is strong, and gets stronger as it bends, it reduces the chance of
intrusion into the passenger compartment, better protecting you and your
family. The safety cage also helps prevent problems that occur as
the result of a crash, such as another collision, rollover of the
vehicle or a fire.
Steel comprises approximately 62 percent of a
vehicle’s overall weight. While the vehicle’s safety
cage provides the base strength, there are other steel components that
are designed for safety:
- A steel roof protects passengers by helping the vehicle remain
structurally sound if it rolls over in an accident.
- The seat structures and instrument panel of a car are made from
steel for added safety and protection of the occupant.
- Seat tracks are made of steel to minimize the risk of a passenger
being injured during a car crash because the seat assemblies were pulled
off the tracks.
- In addition to a steel buckle, steel parts anchor seat belts.
This helps ensure that passengers stay safely secured in their seats
throughout a crash.
- A steel beam is placed inside the doors to help absorb the energy of
a side-impact collision.
- Steel door latches help keep the doors closed during a crash,
enhancing the strength of the safety cage.
- Steel bumpers absorb energy during a crash and minimize damage
during low-speed impacts.
- Steel fuel tank systems meet a 15-year or better life requirement
against different types of corrosion.
- The steel shaft of the steering column, steel idler and pitman arms,
as well as tie rods, help ensure the car goes reliably where the driver
directs it. Even under the most stressful conditions, steel steering
components located under the vehicle will maintain their structural
integrity and provide the driver with the ability to control the
direction of the vehicle.
In addition to being number one in safety, steel is
the environmental leader among automotive materials. Thanks to the
industry’s efficient recycling infrastructure, virtually 100
percent of the steel used in an automobile can be recycled. And
recycled steel is used to make more cars, as well as bridges, food cans,
construction beams and many other steel products.
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QUICK LINKS
Steel
at Home
Steel
in Your Car
Steel
Cans
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AUTO SAFETY
Steel Safety Tips: Tips to Avoid Distracted
Driving
Steel Fact Sheet: Steel Offers Protection on the
Road
Steel Safety Tips: Play It Safe on the Road Tips to
Avoid Aggressive Driving
Steel Safety Tips: Safety on the Road
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AUTO SAFETY
LINKS
National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration
The Center for Auto
Safety
Insurance Institute for
Highway Safety
National Safety
Council
American Auto-mobile
Association
KidsandCars.org
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