SSAB’s Docol 3rd Generation steel is here
There is a new term floating around the automotive industry these days: 3rd Generation Steel. Increasingly, it is being called the future material of the automotive industry -and there are some good reasons why. Greater ductility and usability These new steels, which are still early in development, secure a substantial part of retained austenite that is transformed to martensite during forming. For instance, QP (Quenching and Partitioning) and Medium Manganese steels are both considered 3rd Generation steel. So, what sets these new steels apart? 3rd Generation steel shows an excellent combination of strength and ductility. Good ductility means that 3rd Generation steel can be cold formed to more complex geometries compared with existing grades of Advanced High Strength Steel. It also means more ductility left in the material for better crash performance after forming. In addition, 3rd Generation steel could be a game changer for structural components in the bodyin-white. They offer the possibility for even superior strength to weight ratios as well as lower cost when replacing more expensive solutions like aluminum profiles or hot stamped boron steels. Now available for trials
SSAB is now presenting its first 3rd Generation steel grades open for trials. Metal coated Docol 600DHGI and Docol 800DH-GI have proven their usability as problem solvers for automotive applications with complex geometries. The future of Automotive The rise of 3rd Generation steel also proves something else. After thousands of years of iron solutions and hundreds of years with steel, it is still possible to develop new and innovative grades. Steel is by no means an outdated material. On the contrary, it is one that is continually being improved upon. This means that, one day, the fourth generation of AHSS will arise.