Overview
In previous article we have introduced stainless steel for auto applications throughout the development of this industry. We have analyzed the challenges and opportunities for the popularization of stainless steel cars.
There is the past and the future, but we’ve skipped over the present and jumped into the future too fast. This week we will continue to delve into stainless steel applications in automobiles from the status quo and the possibilities ahead.
The Status Quo of Stainless Steel Application in Automobiles
Currently the role stainless steel palys in automobiles is mainly confined to component parts as below,
- • Exhaust System (Most prevalent)
- • Crash Performance Parts
- • Cylinder Head Gaskets
- • Fuel Tanks
- • Axles and Dampers
- • Outer Body (Limited)
These components are key auto parts, where automakers can make the best use of stainless steel materials, given the durability, corrosion resistance, heat resistance, high strength and machinability. If using other cheaper materials to replace, the status of components inside the car can hardly achieve the promised service life. However, stainless steel applications are supposed to extend far beyond above the above mentioned applications to cater for the evolving auto industry.
The Possibility of Extended Stainless Steel Applications in Automobiles
As new energy efflorescence comes, vehicle industries have to shift attention to more environment-friendly materials. Traditional metals like aluminum have to give way to more sustainable materials, among which stainless steel has substantial potential, given that there are already the precedents, stainless steel cars as introduced in previous article to refer to.
Meanwhile, “The Low-Altitude Economy” is looming, which means UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), eVTOLs (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing aircraft), and other flying vehicles at low attitudes, typically below 1000 meters for varied applications are emerging as a new economy (Xara Ban 2024). China has proposed this concept as a new strategic sector as early as 2021, but it was until recent years since 2023 it has become more widely known. Meanwhile, many developed countries like USA, Germany and Japan have already been key players globally.
The automobile sector is evolving so fast that a flying car can be part of our life in the future, as remarked by the Finnish Steel Outokumpu. As a matter of fact, flying car is not a novel concept. There were Skycar serries designed and created by Ford Motor Company during 1931 and 1944. Among the series, The Skycar II, was even a stainless steel flying car (DSM 2025).
Outokumpu has been working on the potential of stainless steel extended applications to catch the future trend as early and developed stainless steel grades catered for lightweight, safety-critical structural parts. Below listed are the potential applications under research.
- • Protective battery enclosures for electric vehicles (Outokumpu 2025)
- • Wheel rims of cars (Outokumpu 2025)
- • B-pillars, bumper beams, rollover bars, crash boxes, suspensions, wheel housings and subframes for next generation Vehicle (Worldstainless 2025)
One comparative advantage of stainless steel against aluminum is its heat resistance. Stainless steel melting point is almost twice higher than aluminum. Besides, stainless steel does not get as easily deformed as aluminum. This means using stainless steel enclosure contributes to enhanced safety for EV drivers, even under an accident.
Besides, stainless steel possesses various grades from each category. For different components, there can always be the best choice for the designed function. In stainless steel families, we have as below categories,
- • Austenitic Stainless Steel (mainly 300 Series & 200 Series)
- • Duplex Stainless Steel (mainly 2205 & 2507)
- • Martensitic Stainless Steel (mainly 420)
- • Ferritic Stainless Steel (Mainly 400 Series)
- • Precipitation Hardened Stainless Steel (Mainly 600 Series, like 630 & 631)
Stainless Steel At CIVMATS
At CIVMATS, the above mentioned stainless steel categories can be made into varied shapes like stainless steel bars, pipes, wires and plate sheet coil strips per your specific demand. Grades, finish, dimension and other technical requirements can be customized. Welcome for your consultation for stainless steel materials from CIVMATS China.
Choose CIVMATS, choose safety and reliability. We aim to be your consistent NO.1 choice.
