APPLIED DEVELOPMENT OF AUTOBODY SHEET MAT ERIALS

Dual-phase steels, isotropic steels and various finishes, e.g. thin or ganic seal coatings and preprimed concepts, are examples of new develo pments in recent years. The pressing results obtained depend not only on the material properties but also on the forming process itself; for m strain analysis with measuring grids and FEM simulation calculations make it possible to predict forming results. New forming methods, suc h as hydro forming, are opening up new ways in the manufacture of car body parts. Optimized spot welding techniques and processes such as cl inching or adhesive bonding are new solutions for joining surface coat ed sheet. Weldable sound-damping compounds have been developed to impr ove acoustic properties. Higher-strength sheet materials have especial ly good fatigue strength and crash characteristics. Bake hardening ste els afford high resistance to denting. Of all the car body materials, steel sheet best meets the complex demands. Steel sheet can also be us ed to make lightweight car bodies, achieving weight savings up to 20-4 0% in the white body.