Precoated steels development for the automotive industry

Abstract

The paper sets out to describe how it is essential that product development and implementation are undertaken on a joint partnership basis, between supplier and manufacturer from concept stage; this is to ensure that coated steels and associated substrates developed will meet the design and manufacture requirements, together with environmental considerations or recyclability and vehicle fuel economy. The co-operative efforts of the partnership are aimed at providing continuous improvements in coating technology and optimization of durability, surface treatment and manufacture for the customer in the present, medium and long term. In order to accelerate this development, a network of interactive technical information exchange was set up between British Steel Strip Products and Rover Body and Pressings, to provide faster response for ‘initial supply and evaluation of trial material’ and ‘forward planning for phased production introduction’. Environmental considerations require that precoated products can easily be recycled. This is attained in a similar way to mild steel, with certain modifications to the processing. Legislation on fuel efficiency is addressed by reducing the weight of the monocoque by improvement of torsional stiffness through weld bonding combined with thinner gauge high-strength steel panels.