Tata Steel launches high-strength product for car makers

Tata Steel on Monday launched an innovative high-strength steel product here which will allow automotive manufacturers to make lighter components and create relatively complex shapes.

The new product, DP1000HY-GI, combines strength and formability and allows manufacturers to make lighter components without altering their production facilities.

"The material is ideally suited for the crash-protection structure of a vehicle.

Tata Steel is one of a very small number of steelmakers to be able to offer this innovative product, which can reduce a component's weight by up to 15 per cent," the firm said in a statement.

The company worked closely with automotive manufacturers to develop the product which is response to market requirements for stronger and lighter steels and can be processed by manufacturers' existing machinery – a critical consideration in its development.

Its superior formability makes it suitable for creating relatively complex shapes, while its optimal energy absorption capability is ideal for making crash-relevant components.

"The safety of occupants is the most important consideration when designing a vehicle, but with the ever-increasing pressure to reduce carbon emissions, it is vital manufacturers use materials which are as light as possible," said Sander Heinhuis, Tata Steel's European marketing manager for automotive.

"Through the development of DP1000HY, Tata Steel has combined high yield, ultra high strength and formability, allowing automotive manufacturers to reduce the thickness of the steel they use.

They can consequently achieve impressive crash-protection and at the same time have the option of reducing weight," he said.

We are working closely with our customers to demonstrate the benefits they can achieve from using this product. DP1000HY steel, whose production started last month, incorporates carbon and manganese to increase its strength and hardenability.

The product is finished with a hot-dipped galvanised coating, offering good corrosion protection and making it a cost-effective body structure solution.