Missouri S&T developing high-strength TRIP steel for autos

Source:

Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, announces that a third-generation high-strength steel being developed by Missouri S&T metallurgical engineers should be lighter, easier to make, and strong enough to address automotive safety concerns. The technology is based on TRIP – transformation-induced plasticity. It involves the transformation of austenite, which normally exists at high temperatures, into martensite, a harder phase that develops as the steel deforms.

Because of their high fatigue strength and ability to absorb high amounts of energy, TRIP steels are well suited for automotive structures and safety components such as cross members, longitudinal beams, B-pillar reinforcements, and bumper reinforcements.

"We are currently refining the steel design to achieve ‘Gen 3' mechanical property goals while also maintaining manufacturability," says center director Dr. Ronald J. O'Malley, the F. Kenneth Iverson Endowed Chair of Steelmaking Technologies at Missouri S&T. "The alloy design is based on a two-stage or ‘dual TRIP' mechanism that leads to extreme work hardening and energy absorption, so it's very good for automotive crash-worthiness."

Under the direction of Dr. David C. Van Aken, Curators' Teaching Professor of metallurgical engineering, the Missouri S&T team has used an atomic modeling method known as "density functional theory" to identify alloying elements to create the dual TRIP character of these new steels.

The real challenge, however, lies with the large-scale production of these new steels. With the help of industrial partners, the researchers at Peaslee Steel Manufacturing Research Center are examining all aspects of the steel manufacturing – "from melt practice to final formability by the automotive producer," Prof. O'Malley says. A committee of representatives from four steel manufacturers – Nucor, U.S. Steel, AK Steel and ArcelorMittal – oversees the project.

One benefit of conducting the research at Missouri S&T is the ability of researchers to create and test small batches of steel. In S&T's labs, researchers can create 200 pounds of steel at a time, whereas big steel manufacturers like Nucor, where Prof. O'Malley was chief metallurgist before joining S&T, would have to make 170 tons of steel for testing.

www.mst.edu

ThyssenKrupp and Maxion to jointly develop aluminum/carbon-fiber wheels

June 23, 2015
Source:

ThyssenKrupp Carbon Components, Germany, and Maxion Wheels, Novi, Mich., announce a cooperative agreement to develop and market ultra-lightweight aluminum and carbon fiber hybrid wheels for the premium vehicle OEM market. ThyssenKrupp brings its unique carbon fiber braiding technology, and Maxion brings its liquid-forged aluminum disks, which offer material properties comparable to forged wheels at lower cost.

Testing took place at certified Maxion Wheels test labs. In addition, the ThyssenKrupp - Maxion Wheels team is working with the Volkswagen Group to test prototypes on a vehicle. Public road tests have shown improved performance, which means superior damping, which leads to less vibration and road noise. Their combined technologies could generate a weight savings of up to 40% vs. forged aluminum wheels, and at the same time offer high value styling.

"With carbon fiber-aluminum hybrid wheels we offer a unique option to our customers in the luxury and sports car segment to differentiate themselves through technology and design. The cooperation agreement with Maxion Wheels marks an important milestone in the development of our carbon fiber wheel technology. It shows the technological maturity we have reached and combines our innovations with the leading player in the wheel industry. Commercialization is the logical next step," says Dr. Jens Werner, Managing Director at ThyssenKrupp Carbon Components.

"The aluminum/carbon fiber hybrid wheels we develop through our cooperation with ThyssenKrupp will fill an important niche in the ultra-lightweight vehicle market," says Kai Kronenberg, Vice President of Business Development & Global Innovation at Maxion Wheels. "It will benefit our customers by expanding our already extensive range of products and capabilities, while enhancing our leadership position in the industry."

The ThyssenKrupp Carbon Components - Maxion Wheels cooperation will include the development and commercialization of the ultra-lightweight aluminum/carbon fiber hybrid wheels. A joint sales initiative and support team will engage the market to bring new capabilities and wheels that will benefit customers far into the future.

http://www.thyssenkrupp.com/q00GRR

www.maxionwheels.com

Kanthal heating elements for service at 3050°F have fast temperature ramping

Source:

Sandvik Materials Technology, Sweden, announces that its Kanthal division introduced Superthal FeCrAlMo heating elements at the Thermprocess show held last week in Dusseldorf. Superthal prefabricated heating modules consist of vacuum-formed ceramic fiber with an integral powder metallurgy molybdenum-disilicide (MoSi₂) heating element. The maximum temperature is raised to 1725°C (3140°C) for Superthal HT half-cylinder heating elements, enabling up to 1675°F (3050°C) furnace temperature. During operation, a layer of Al₂O₃ forms spontaneously, producing a dense, adherent, and self-healing surface.

Superthal heating modules are intended for use in laboratory or production furnaces/heaters wherever concentrated heat is needed. They also provide major energy savings in several applications. The flexibility of the heating modules allows for different tests and processes to take place in the same furnace setup.

The Superthal modules have quick temperature ramping, are easy to install, and have accurate temperature profiles and long service life. They are available in a variety of geometries and standard sizes. Tailor-made modules can be supplied to optimize the design and function of the particular application.

www.smt.sandvik.com

Worthington’s TWB Company to open tailor welded blank facility in Nashville

June 9, 2015
Source:

Worthington Industries, Cleveland, announces that its tailor welded blanking joint venture, TWB Company LLC, is opening a new facility in Nashville. It will include next-generation fiber lasers and curvilinear welding technology, expanding TWB's 2D welding capabilities and its ability to reduce weight and increase strength in more vehicle parts.

"The market for tailor welded blanks continues to grow and TWB's capabilities are growing with it," said Ivan Meltzer, president of TWB Company. "We are continually pushing the technology to allow more applications across all vehicle lines. This new Tennessee facility provides capacity to further serve automakers and Tier 1 automotive suppliers in the South."

The use of tailor welded blanks in vehicles has grown in recent years as automakers use light weighting to improve fuel economy to meet new targets set by the government. The significantly higher Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards take effect in 2025. Laser-welded blanks are made from welding steel blanks of various thicknesses and grades together to form a tailored blank that is then stamped into automotive body panels.

The new 120,000-square-foot facility will have approximately 45 employees, and will initially serve General Motors, Nissan, and several Tier 1 automotive suppliers. Production is expected to begin by October 2015. The new facility is TWB's 9th in North America; additional locations include Alabama, Michigan, Smyrna, Tenn., Ontario, and four in Mexico.

www.TWBCompany.com.