Chrysler and Daimler Look to Advanced High-Strength Steels for Design of Future Vehicles

Chrysler, Daimler and AISI held a joint press conference on August 22 to announce the results of their most recent project utilizing advanced high-strength steels (AHSS). This is not the first time AISI's Automotive Applications team has worked with each of the Big Three automakers to advance automotive design through the use of AHSS.

The new project utilizes the latest advanced high-strength steels to achieve increased fuel economy while improving passenger protection. The team, which included engineers from members of AISI's Automotive Applications Committee, Chrysler, Mercedes Group Research, and Mercedes Benz Technologies, accomplished its objective by taking a holistic approach to sheet metal structures and applying new engineering computer modeling technology ("topology optimization") to generate efficient energy and load management.

A computer program was used to identify the areas of highest strain in the body-in-white structure and then determine the optimal location of critical load paths to meet predetermined requirements for safety, stiffness and durability. The optimized load paths were then analyzed with respect to new advanced high-strength steel materials. The result is a superior structure which meets or exceeds future safety and performance standards while reducing overall vehicle weight by up to 13 percent compared with vehicles using conventional high-strength steels and design methods.

"Through this joint project, we introduced Chrysler and Daimler to new steel materials that achieve significant mass savings and satisfy tough vehicle requirements," said Ron Krupitzer, AISI's vice president of automotive applications. Chrysler is already using new steel technologies in selected 2008 products, including the new Sebring.

"Over the past years, we have partnered with the engineering teams of key automotive manufacturers to meet their future design challenges through the use of advanced high-strength steels. These partnerships have opened doors and created opportunities that have made AHSS the fastest-growing material in automotive design. We look forward to working with the OEMs on future projects." For more information on AISI's Automotive Applications program, visit www.autosteel.org or contact Deanna Lorincz.