2009 Audi A4 UHSS

The A4 is not an aluminum car. But what’s somewhat striking is that even the top U.S. Audi executive, de Nysschen, notes the fact that there is an extensive use of ultra-high-strength steel (UHSS UHSS Ultra-High-Strength Steel ). This is not the sort of thing that is typically glossed by someone with their eye on business and sales, not structural engineering. Yet the use of the material is absolutely notable, and contributes to a rigid body structure, as well as enhancing safety.

There is the use of hot-formed boron boron alloyed steel blanks to produce various components. In the hot forming operation, the blanks are heated to 1,742[degrees]F, formed, and quenched. To put out (a fire, for example); extinguish. The resulting tensile strength of the component is as much as 1,600 mPa. Among the ultra-high-strength steel applications are the center tunnel, inner sills, B-pillars and firewall transverse beams. Overall, about 12% of the body-in-white is made of hot-formed UHSS; 18% is UHSS; 32% is high-strength steel; and 38% is conventional deep-drawing steel grades.