Monday, November 11, 2013

Latest Mechanical Engineering Research Update (September 29, 2013)

Nanosteel Targets The Auto Industry:

According to a 2012 report by The Fredonia Group, the worldwide demand for nanomaterials is expected to rise 250% to $5.5 billion in 2016. With steel being one of the most common materials in the world with more than 1.3 billion tons produced annually, there is a significant opportunity to improve upon its performance through the use of nanotechnology.
Steel has a crystalline structure and the smaller the crystals dictate the strength of steel. The problem with using smaller crystals in steel is that the material becomes more brittle. One company that has solved this problem is Nanosteel. 

 

One of the problems automakers face is how to development new materials that will reduce the weight of the automobile to meet the challenge of higher fuel economy standards without compromising safety. Advanced High Strength Steels (AHSS) are the fastest growing material in today’s automotive industry with an availability target of 2017-2025 for integration into vehicle structural designs and production. NanoSteel has designed a new class of AHSS sheet materials with nano-scale microstructures which can handle high loads but retain the ability to be shaped and formed at room temperature into automotive parts. Last month "Nanotechnlogy" company released the results of a study performed by EDAG, Inc ., a globally-recognized independent engineering firm. In this study it was shown that company’s Advanced High Strength Steel (AHSS) enabled a 30% reduction of weight in the Body-In White structure of a 2011 Honda Accord while meeting North American performance and safety targets.