Use of stainless steels in bus coach structures

This study focuses on weld integrity of stainless steels in bus coach appli cations, Safety aspects have been studied based on fracture mechanics and i mpact toughness testing. Fatigue resistance of welded rectangular hollow se ction (RHS) profiles was evaluated according to the Eurocode 3 (1992) fatig ue standard. Corrosion resistance was studied by salt-spray chamber tests i n a deicing salt atmosphere and by field testing for 3 years under an urban bus. The mechanical tests show that austenitic stainless steel EN 1.4310 ( AISI 301) is a superior material, and a low-C 12% Cr alloyed stainless stee l EN 1.4003 is also a competitive material in bus coach applications. Accor ding to the life cycle cost (LCC) calculations, stainless steels are compet itive compared with carbon steels or aluminum.