MATERIALS, PROCESSES & FINISHES
Stainless steel is
inherently corrosion-resistant and can self-heal via
chromium oxidation, which reduces maintenance needs
Outokumpu’s electric arc furnace melting recycled steel
10 minutes with minimal defl ection, signifi cantly exceeding aluminium’s threshold of 660°C. This could provide crucial time for rescue teams to respond in cases of battery fi res. The high strength of stainless steel
also enables the use of thinner sheets, reducing weight while maintaining performance. In one simulation involving buses, the use of high- strength stainless steel reduced total weight by nearly a ton.
SAFETY IS KEY High elongation properties combined with strain-hardening techniques allow stainless steel to absorb high crash energy, reducing the risk of injury to occupants during collisions. Whether it’s a race car, a bus, or a tractor, the material’s behaviour under impact can be precisely tuned to align with specifi c design needs. While its advantages in exhaust systems are well noted, stainless steel’s corrosion resistance extends to use in fuel tanks. With the increasing diversity of synthetic and biochemical fuels available, it ensures performance without the risk of leaks or failures caused by material degradation. For a completely diff erent
perspective on safety, the anti-bacterial properties of stainless steel are of particular interest in a post-pandemic world. As car-sharing and automated taxiing services become more prevalent, materials that are inherently hygienic make a strong case.
A SUSTAINABLE OPTION Materials that promote sustainability across both the production and lifecycle of a vehicle are needed to make a deep impact on emissions. Aluminium is light and easy to transport, so its on-road emissions appear low. But it has faced criticism due to the carbon intensity of mining and refi ning bauxite, as well as the lower availability of recyclable aluminium scrap. Stainless steels boast much higher
recyclability, with European stainless steel stock having a staggering 85% average recycled content. With a production volume of around 1.9 million tons, Outokumpu achieved a recycled content of 95% in 2023. Outokumpu’s Circle Green goes even further, being made of up to 100% low-emission raw materials such as scrap and produced entirely
with renewable energy sources. This creates an unparalleled sustainability profi le. With transparency on emissions across scopes 1, 2, and 3, vehicle manufacturers utilising Outokumpu’s materials can confi dently communicate their reduced environmental impact to customers.
DRIVING THE FUTURE New types of vehicles — consumer cars, agricultural machines, public transport, and the new ways to power them — will require new ways of thinking. Stainless steel has the potential to change the game with its unmatched sustainability and sheer performance. A future of sleek vehicles that are not only aesthetically unbounded, but safer, stronger, and made with 100% recycled content and renewable energy, is within reach. If there ever was a time to shake up the traditions of the automotive industry, it’s now.
Stefan Lindner and Markus Buckner are at Outokumpu.
www.outokumpu.com
www.engineerlive.com 29
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48
