Lightweight Steel Solutions

One of the critical challenges for the automotive industry in the 21st century is to further reduce vehicle weight – regardless of whether they are powered by internal combustion engines or batteries. That's why, even in the pre-development phase, we place a strong focus on lightweight steel solutions.

Less is More

Reducing weight creates numerous positive effects: lower CO2 emissions, improved driving dynamics, resource-efficient use of materials, better driving safety, and more comfort through driver assistance systems. Steel plays a central role in achieving these goals, as it possesses excellent lightweight construction qualities.

Initiative
"MASSIVE LIGHTWEIGHT CONSTRUCTION"

As part of the Massive Lightweight Construction initiative, we have researched lightweight construction potential together with international companies from bulk forming and steel production. From mid-size passenger cars to light commercial vehicles, hybrid passenger cars, and conventional trucks, a total of 265 kg of lightweight construction potential was identified across three research phases.

Massive Lightweight Construction Initiative Phase II LCV

The cooperation included 15 bulk forming companies, ten steel industry firms (long products manufacturers), and one engineering service provider. In Phase II (2015/2016), the initiative jointly developed a lightweight construction potential of 99 kg for a light commercial vehicle (carrier). The initiative continues, and the results achieved will be reviewed for implementation together with designers and developers at OEMs in the future.

Massive Lightweight Construction Goes International – Third Phase of the Massive Lightweight Construction Initiative Has Started

The successful collaboration of the initiative under the leadership of the Industrial Association for Bulk Forming (Industrieverband Massivumformung e. V.) and the Steel Institute VDEh over nearly five years is now being continued in Project Phase III with around 40 international partners. Among other things, the lightweight construction potential of bulk-formed components in the powertrain and chassis of a hybrid passenger car is being investigated—a vehicle category that will gain significantly growing importance in the coming years until the complete electrification of passenger cars. Furthermore, another key focus is placed on the transmission and

powertrain with driveshaft and differential of a heavy commercial vehicle (truck). Additionally, accompanying transmission studies will determine the primary and secondary effects of lightweight construction for the transmissions of the hybrid vehicle and the truck. Another study clarifies what information is required for users when introducing newly developed higher-strength transmission steels.