Axle crossmember

Salzgitter Flachstahl’s air-hardening steel grade RobuSal^®800 was especially developed for the automotive industry. This grade meets customer demands for lighter construction, better operational strength and excellent crash behavior. 

Given its remarkable characteristics, RobuSal^®800 meets the latest requirements for automotive materials with regard to safety and lightweight construction potential.

With its SZBS800 and SZBS600 grades, Salzgitter Flachstahl has developed two innovative bainitic hot-rolled steels which belong to the group of complex-phase steels. These materials are predestined for use in dynamically stressed components.

Idea: use tailor welded blanks with highest-strength steels in the example

• RobuSal^®800 (sheet thickness: 2.3 mm) in the weld seam area due to excellent vibration resistance properties in the welded state
• SZBS800 (sheet thickness 2.0 mm) in the middle area due to minimal edge cracking sensitivity in highly stressed zones 

Result:

• Weight savings of 18 percent
• Proof of manufacturability
• Continuous vibration test of the rear axle support successfully completed