The automotive industry is the fastest-growing sector and moving towards the electric vehicle. The automobile sector comprises planning, design, development, and manufacturing of motor vehicles with various types of steel. Hence, the steel industry is considered as one of the largest vendors and has high revenue compared to other sectors.
A report by market research future (MRFR) says that the steel prices increased around 200%, with an annual growth rate of 4.5%. It also states that the steel industry in India plays a vital role in the country by contributing five trillion US dollars to the economy.
The types of steel used in the automotive industry can be anywhere from stainless steel, high-strength steel, high-carbon, low-carbon, or galvanized steel. These types of steel are used in the production of various vehicle and engine components
Advanced high-strength steel:
Advanced high-strength steel or AHSS is the typical material used in manufacturing vehicles. It involves cold rolling and different alloying techniques to process the AHSS steel. The AHSS is new generation steel that provides strength up to 2,000 MPa and high durability. It is used in making vehicle bodies, car doors, frames, undercarriages, MS chequered plate, and bumpers due to its lightweight property. Hence, many car manufacturers are coming up with various solutions to enhance the AHSS for more safety, performance, and price. These steels are classified as martensitic, transformation-induced plasticity, ferritic-bainitic, and many more. These have found their application in the industry to create an engine with high energy absorption.
High carbon steel:
It is another form of steel that has high carbon content and undergoes quenching heat treatment for sustainability. Unlike AHSS, high carbon steel is prone to brittleness and is less ductile. But these steels are resistant to wear and tear, so they find their application in tools and metal fasteners. These are used in the automobile industry to make chassis, vehicle frames, door panels, bushings, and many more. Even the SAIL TMT bar includes high carbon steel to provide excellent support to the beams and panels.
Low carbon steel:
This steel has a low carbon content ranging from 0.05% to 0.3%. Hence, low-carbon steels are highly ductile and can be formed into the desired shape. These have low tensile strength and have low yield-point. It is used in making smaller components like suspension parts, brackets, control arms, and many more. Low-carbon steel helps to maintain the stability and structure of the vehicle.
Galvanized steel:
This steel is popular in the automobile industry because it is inexpensive and used in vehicle-making. 80% of the cars, trucks, and motorcycles use galvanized steel to extend the life and function of the vehicle. With the help of this steel, the vehicle requires only minimal repairs and maintenance.