Innovative and Sustainable Lightweight Solutions While Staying Cost-Competitive

The chassis is one of the most or even the most important assembly group of a vehicle as it is the main support structure. It is the load bearing framework and stabilizing the vehicle against external impacts. Therewith, the chassis is crucial for the safety but also for the optimum driving comfort. For battery electric vehicles, it needs to provide maximum space for the batteries which are usually placed in the sub-structure. Thus, chassis applications are facing several technical and sustainability challenges. The omni-present topic of lightweight does not stop for chassis applications. Weight reductions mean more energy efficiency but also the possibility of weight compensation due to further equipment for passenger comfort and safety or due to heavy batteries. Stainless steel is a traditional but also innovative material, continuously developing according to human and industry needs. This paper presents the latest material development of temper rolled 1.4376 for use in chassis applications. It offers a combination of high strength and high elongation, which can solve several safety and design aspects. Finally, cost-competitive and sustainable lightweight solutions can be achieved. All this makes this stainless steel pioneering and extremely interesting for chassis concepts.