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To meet the automotive industry's increasing demand for lighter, more cost efficient products, AK Steel Corporation sees stainless steel as an effective material for structural components, including many light-weight body applications. With this in mind, AK Steel commissioned Troy, MI based Altair Engineering Inc. to design a lightweight tailgate using stainless steel that was easier to open and more resistant to dent and corrosion damage. The concept was designed to meet or exceed the performance of a current production carbon steel tailgate. This stainless steel design resulted in a 38% weight reduction over the carbon steel tailgate and can be a more cost-effective solution to aluminum or other alternative light-weight materials.