Bridging the Design–Manufacturing–Materials Data Gap: Material Properties for Optimum Design and Manufacturing Performance in Light Vehicle Steel-Intensive Body Structures

Abstract

As safety and fuel economy regulations become increasingly more challenging around the world, light vehicle manufacturers are facing increasing pressure to reduce the weight of their vehicles cost effectively while maintaining or improving safety performance. Optimum light vehicle steel body structure weight and performance are achieved when the constraints of design, manufacturing, and material properties are considered simultaneously. ArcelorMittal has invested heavily over the past several years to close the gap between material property knowledge and the inter-relation between material performance and design and manufacturing efficiency. Knowledge gained through this process is presented and the importance of achieving this simultaneous 3-way optimization is illustrated by a lightweight steel door design example from ArcelorMittal’s S-in motion catalog of lightweight steel solutions.