Arcelor Mittal develops steel solution for lightweight pick ups

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The lightweight steel solutions unveiled by Arcelor Mittal is likely to reduce the weight of pickup chassis by almost one-fourth, thereby challenging manufacturer’s inclination towards aluminum in rolling out energy-efficient vehicles.

The company has extended the concept of S-in motion to create lighter, safer and more environment-friendly steel substitutes targeting the North American light truck market. Two sets of solutions are being developed.

The first set uses currently available advanced high strength steels and press-hardenable steel grades and can reduce weight by up to 174 kg (384 lbs) or 23% of the combined weight of a pick-up’s cab, box, frame and closures, compared with a modern (2014) baseline vehicle. Reduction of average truck weight by the mentioned level could save nearly 14 grams of CO₂ emissions for every kilometer.

The second solution is in the final stages of development, the company stated.

According to Arcelor Mittal, many steel firms are continuously working on new steel grades that meet the requirement of automotive industry. The high strength lightweight steel grades are poised to offer strong competition to aluminum in manufacture of light weight vehicles.