ArcelorMittal eyes automotive steel weight reduction

ArcelorMittal is accelerating its research and development to decrease the weight of the so-called “3rd generation” steel used in the automotive sector, Kallanish notes.

At present, this very high-strength product represents 60% of the steel used in the automotive industry. The steelmaker’s latest generation of this type of material now guarantees a level of mechanical strength up to 1,800 pascals (Pa)/megapascal (MPa) and properties that make the product lighter by 20%, the company details in a note.

In parallel, laser welding makes it possible to adjust the thickness and the grade of steel to the functional need of the client and also to reduce the quantity of materials used by reducing scrap consumption.

The FuseMetal lab, created in 2019 in France, a partnership between ArcelorMittal and the Compiègne technology university, will present the research, which will significantly contribute to the development of the company’s vehicle lightening solutions. It will also further optimise the use of materials and scrap and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the firm says.

“There is, therefore, a double gain, a reduction in the structure of the vehicles which leads to reduced energy consumption and less consumption of materials … Third-generation high-strength steels are characterised by very elaborate chemical compositions and microstructures that make their weldability more complex,” says ArcelorMittal R&D director Francis Schmit.

The company is investing strongly in France in new solutions for the automotive industry. Five new production lines will be started in 2024 at ArcelorMittal’s Mardyck electrical steel sites in northern France for the production of electrical steel for use in manufacturing engines for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and hybrid vehicles. This involves a €300 million ($322m) investment.

In parallel, the steelmaker is launching the 5G network for industrial uses in France to help carry out digitisation and robotisation at its French production sites. The company started its so-called 5G Steel project in 2021 in France which has now become fully operational at the Dunkirk and Mardyck plants.

The steelmaker and KIRCHHOFF Automotive, which develops and produces complex metal and hybrid structures for body-in-white and chassis, recently signed a memorandum of understanding on developing low carbon-emission steel for cars and trucks.

The agreement covers a number of different areas of development and steel solutions, but its principal focus is to strengthen the two companies’ collaboration on sustainability topics (see Kallanish passim).

Natalia Capra France