admin The winner of the 20th international Swedish Steel Prize is Shape Corp. from the USA. The event’s organizer, the Swedish steelmaker SSAB says the prize is awarded for the innovative use of martensitic steel in a 3D formed tube for automotive roof rail applications.
Eva Petursson, chair of the Swedish Steel Prize jury and head of SSAB’s research and innovation says “With great skill, Shape Corp. has shown the way forward and has succeeded in efficiently utilizing a modern material with the highest possible strength level. This shows a major opportunity in challenging other lightweight materials with a steel solution that allows for circular material flows.”
For 3D-shaped tubes manufacturing process by Shape Corp’s is cost effective and robust which made it possible to utilize the cold forming martensitic steel Docol® 1700M and for a unique lightweight solution for A-pillar and roof rail tubes, with a minimal profile size, from SSAB. Ford vehicles, including the 2020 Ford Explorer and 2020 Ford Escape will soon implement this component.
Instead of hydroforming, Shape Corp. has succeeded in creating smaller profiles than traditional solutions using 3D forming, allowing for more interior space as well as better packaging of airbags and better driver visibility.
The 3D formed A-pillars also have an improved strength-to-weight ratio of over 50%, which has led to an overall mass reduction of 2.8 to 4.5 kg per vehicle.
Within the global automotive industry Shape Corp.’s groundbreaking technology and use of steel has been proven viable and represents a major forward move in both automotive design and car safety.
This year, the Swedish Steel Prize celebrates its 20th anniversary and recognizes good engineering, co-operation and steel innovations leading to a more sustainable and better world. Prize includes a diploma and a statuette by the sculptor Jörg Jeschke. It also I gives intense media exposure. In collaboration with the Swedish Steel Prize 2019, SSAB will make a SEK 100,000 donation to UNICEF in support of their efforts to provide quality education and learning opportunities to children and adolescents worldwide.
The other finalists, Austin Engineering from Australia, Kampag from Brazil and Roofit.solar from Estonia, were runners-up.
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