Development of Ferritic Stainless Steel with Excellent Drawability for Automotive Fuel Tanks

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Development of Ferritic Stainless Steel with Excellent Drawability for Automotive Fuel Tanks

Yazawa, Yoshihiro / Kato, Yasushi / Furukimi, Osamu / Hasuno, Sadao

Lead-tin coated steel sheets are widely used in conventional automobile fuel tanks, but automakers are moving away from lead and similar substances in response to stricter environmental regulations. Although various alternatives to lead-tin coated steel sheets have been proposed, the authors have developed an innovative new ferritic stainless steel with the excellent corrosion resistance and formability required for fuel tanks and other fuel system applications. The developed steel has various advantages over coated steels, including simplification of the manufacturing process, enabling cost reduction, and high strength, allowing weight reduction in automotive parts. Because stainless steel has strength equal or superior to that of 440 MPa class high strength steel sheets, weight reduction can be realized by using thinner gauge material in comparison with mild steel. In comparison with plastics, applicable environmental regulations, including fuel emissions and recycling, can be satisfied more easily. As a result of research and development of ferritic stainless steel for automotive fuel tanks, it was concluded that 18Cr-1.5Mo-Ti added ferritic stainless steel with excellent formability and corrosion resistance is a suitable material for fuel system components.