ArcelorMital, the world’s largest steel maker, is using nanotechnology to make a new kind of steel that will allow automakers to match the weight of aluminum cars. The new steel would take 188 pounds out of the basic structure of a car and, by removing so much weight, other components, such as the powertrain, drivetrain, and brakes, could be downsized as well. The new steel would also allow manufacturers to eliminate some brackets and extra panels, resulting in an overall cost savings. The nano-steel will require a newer manufacturing technique called hot stamping, already a fairly common process for most automakers, and should not result in auto manufacturers having to make a big investment in new technology. The company says it is still two to three years away from actually using the steel in production. The article can be viewed online at the link below.
http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/31/steel-nanotechnology-can-reduce-the-weight-of-our-cars/