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Tech Briefs
Steel gains business
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The market share for steel-bumper systems grew from 76 to 86% from 1997 to 2000, and is expected to grow to 91% by 2004.
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According to experts, the market share for steel bumpers is forecast to hit 91% by 2004. "It's a question of what do you get for your money. Steel is still the best deal," said Darryl Martin, spokesman for the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). AISI's Bumper Project Group, comprised of bumper manufacturers, car companies, and steel producers, reports that steel bumper systems grew from 76 to 86% between 1997 and 2000. "In the last three years, high-strength steel and ultra high-strength steel have gained a foothold as the fastest growing light-weighing material in the industry," added Martin.
AISI's study examined facebars (typically chromed or painted) and reinforcing beams, commonly covered by a plastic fascia. Much of the forecast increase relates to a jump in high-strength steel (HSS) and ultra-HSS usage. HSS grades have a minimum yield strength greater than or equal to 240 MPa (35 ksi) and a minimum tensile strength less than or equal to 690 MPa (100 ksi). Ultra-HSS grades have a minimum tensile strength greater than 690 MPa (100 ksi.)
AISI, which has conducted several focused studies on HSS and ultra-HSS, is now turning market-share ambitions to fuel tanks. "The business plan over the next five years is to increase market share for steel by 25% for all products for all markets combined, and part of that is recovering lost business - such as fuel tanks," said Martin.
During the era of leaded gasoline, the dominating material for fuel tanks was lead-coated steel. With the change to unleaded gasoline, plastics became a fuel tank material choice. "The current market share for steel fuel tanks is less than 50% and going down," said Martin. With a current focus on fuel tanks, the steel industry plans to gain fuel tank market share. "The first-line movement will probably be stainless steel because of its durability from a corrosion standpoint."
Kami Buchholz
AEI September 2000
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