MATERIALS, PROCESSES & FINISHES


Stefan Lindner and Markus Buckner explore how stainless steel is continuing to drive the future of automotive design


I


n the race to build safer and more eff icient vehicles, material selection could give designers the edge. The International Energy Agency (IEA)


expects the global EV fl eet to reach 250 million by 2030, and there is more interest in alternative fuels like bioethanol and hydrogen than ever. But even for petrol and diesel vehicles, sustainability is front of mind for a growing number of customers and manufacturers alike. To create new designs and components that satisfy both customers’ expectations and the physical requirements of future transportation, we must go beyond aluminium. As part of this shift, we’re looking to


redefi ne the role of stainless steel. It’s currently viewed as a specialist material solely for exhaust systems, but it’s underappreciated as a versatile option for many other areas of automotive design. In this article, we explore the advantages of stainless steel in the factory and on the road, with a focus on its formability, durability, safety, and recyclability.


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STAINLESS STEEL CHIC


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