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Wheels Task Force to Develop Lightweight Steel Wheel
08/03/2011 - The Steel Market Development Institute’s Wheels Task Force will begin a project to develop a lightweight high-strength steel wheel, with a cost-effective design and manufacturing process, to showcase the benefits to automotive manufacturers and consumers.
The Steel Market Development Institute’s (SMDI) Wheels Task Force will begin a project to develop a lightweight high-strength steel wheel, with a cost-effective design and manufacturing process, to showcase the benefits of steel wheels to automotive manufacturers and consumers.
The Wheels Task Force, comprised of executives in the steel, automotive, and wheel markets, will explore opportunities to significantly reduce weight and cost when compared to traditional steel and cast aluminum designs.
“This project is a great opportunity to demonstrate the benefits of steel wheels, including the ability to help lightweight a vehicle beyond its structure,” said Jackie Stachowski, Technical Service Metallurgist, for Nucor Corp. and Chair of the Wheels Task Force. “Steel has made progress in recent years in the automotive wheels market. With the advantage of the new lightweight high-strength steels, we hope to develop a steel wheel that automakers and consumers will find even more competitive in terms of weight, cost, and design, which we anticipate will further increase the market share of steel wheels.”
Project results are expected to be announced in the fall.
“This project is a great opportunity to demonstrate the benefits of steel wheels, including the ability to help lightweight a vehicle beyond its structure,” said Jackie Stachowski, Technical Service Metallurgist, for Nucor Corp. and Chair of the Wheels Task Force. “Steel has made progress in recent years in the automotive wheels market. With the advantage of the new lightweight high-strength steels, we hope to develop a steel wheel that automakers and consumers will find even more competitive in terms of weight, cost, and design, which we anticipate will further increase the market share of steel wheels.”
Project results are expected to be announced in the fall.
The Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI), a business unit of the American Iron and Steel Institute, grows and maintains the use of steel through strategies that promote cost-effective solutions in the automotive, construction, and container markets, as well as for new-growth opportunities in emerging steel markets.
SMDI's Steel Wheel Task Force Members include:
- Accuride Corp.
- AK Steel Corp.
- ArcelorMittal Dofasco
- ArcelorMittal USA LLC
- Chrysler Group LLC
- Ford Motor Co.
- General Motors Co.
- Hayes Lemmerz International
- Hess Industries, Inc.
- Lacks Wheel Trim Systems
- Maxion-Fumagalli Wheels
- Nucor Corp.
- PPG Industries Inc.
- Severstal North America Inc.
- Topy America, Inc.
- ThyssenKrupp Steel USA LLC
- United States Steel Corp.
